--- title: "Set your BlueSky Handle to your own domain name using DNS" type: "post" post_id: "30265" slug: "set-your-bluesky-handle-to-your-own-domain-name-using-dns" canonical: "https://easydns.com/blog/2024/12/03/set-your-bluesky-handle-to-your-own-domain-name-using-dns/" markdown_url: "https://easydns.com/blog/2024/12/03/set-your-bluesky-handle-to-your-own-domain-name-using-dns.md" json_url: "https://easydns.com/blog/2024/12/03/set-your-bluesky-handle-to-your-own-domain-name-using-dns.json" txt_url: "https://easydns.com/blog/2024/12/03/set-your-bluesky-handle-to-your-own-domain-name-using-dns.txt" published: "2024-12-03T16:55:00+00:00" modified: "2025-01-02T22:44:47+00:00" author: "Mark E. Jeftovic" categories: - "Tips and Tricks" - "What's New" tags: - "BlueSky" - "custom domain" - "mastodon" - "nostr" site_name: "easyDNS" publisher: "" language: "en-US" generator: "easyPress Markdown" generator_version: "1.0.3" --- ![](https://easydns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/connect-bluesky-handle-to-custom-domain.png) There’s a lot of activity on BlueSky lately, one of the Twitter/X alternatives. Like Mastodon (another Twitter/X alternative, [we’ve been following for awhile](https://easydns.com/blog/2022/11/21/take-control-over-your-social-media-presence-with-mastodon/)), your identifier is based on a hostname – which opens the door to integrating with it a custom domain via the DNS. A nice feature they have over there on BlueSky is [the ability to set your handle to be under *your own custom domain* ](https://bsky.social/about/blog/4-28-2023-domain-handle-tutorial)(contrast with Mastodon, where your handle will always be under the hostname of the node on which you created your account). For the more DNS-aware, this is simply a matter of adding a TXT record for your domain: ``` _atproto IN TXT "did=did:plc:idpyxixaan5zgskkizwyug4p" ``` Which you can add via the DNS editor and/or the specific TXT records module. The BlueSky Custom Handle Integration Wizard -------------------------------------------- To make it super-easy, we’ve also added a wizard for setting up the BlueSky integration – all you need to do is grab the “*did={value}”* from your [BlueSky account settings, under “handle”](https://bsky.app/settings/account) and paste it into the wizard. Here’s a quick and dirty 2 minute video that walks you through it. Documentation ------------- The full documentation with screen grabs, et al is over on [the easyDNS Knowledge Base here.](https://kb.easydns.com/knowledge/bluesky-integration/) Caveats ------- One thing to be aware of – after you set your BlueSky handle to your custom domain, it does *not* appear as if the platform will redirect requests to your *old* profile URL to the new one: ![](https://easydns.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/bluesky-caveats.png) Ideally I’d like to see a redirect happen, but that’s outside of our control. Bear that in mind if you already have your old handle URL widely circulated. Additional Social Media Integrations ------------------------------------ As noted, we’ve been following Mastodon and been a gold sponsor of the project for years, we also [run a Mastodon node](https://nojack.easydns.ca) free for easyDNS members (we had to close it off to general public because of the spambots). There is also Nostr, my personal favourite – and in keeping with our obsession with providing as many integrations for your own domain we have [easyNostr, which is a Nostr NIP-05 endpoint provider](https://easyNostr.com), either using one of our domains, our your own (there is also our [easyNostr-Nip05 Wordpress plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/easynostr-nip05/), which you can use in [any Wordpress sit](https://easypress.ca)e). Frequently Asked Questions: Setting Your Bluesky Handle to Your Own Domain -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### **General Questions:** #### **What does it mean to set my Bluesky handle to my domain?** It means that instead of using the default Bluesky handle format (e.g., `@username.bsky.social`), you can configure it to use a custom domain you own (e.g., `@yourdomain.com`), making your handle more personal and professional. #### **Why should I use my domain for my Bluesky handle?** Using your domain offers branding advantages, control over your digital identity, and portability. It allows you to retain your handle even if you switch platforms in the future. #### **Do I need to own a domain to set up a custom Bluesky handle?** Yes, you need to own a domain and have access to its DNS settings to configure it for Bluesky. ### **Technical Setup Questions:** #### **How do I set up my domain as my Bluesky handle?** - Log in to your domain registrar’s DNS management system. - Create a new `TXT` record in your DNS settings. - Add the verification code provided by Bluesky to the `TXT` record. - Confirm the setup in your Bluesky account. #### **What is a DNS `TXT` record, and why is it needed?** A `TXT` record is a type of DNS entry used to store text information for verification purposes. Bluesky uses it to confirm that you own the domain you’re associating with your handle. #### **How long does it take for the DNS changes to propagate?** DNS changes typically propagate within a few minutes to 48 hours, depending on your domain registrar and DNS settings. #### **Can I use a subdomain for my Bluesky handle?** Yes, you can use a subdomain (e.g., `@sub.yourdomain.com`). The setup process is similar; you’ll need to create a `TXT` record for the specific subdomain. ### **Troubleshooting Questions:** #### **My handle verification failed. What should I check?** - Ensure the `TXT` record is correctly added to your DNS settings. - Double-check the verification code provided by Bluesky. - Confirm that the record has propagated (use tools like `dig` or `nslookup` to verify). #### **What happens if I delete the `TXT` record after verification?** Bluesky may periodically check for the `TXT` record to confirm domain ownership. If the record is deleted, your custom handle might become invalid. #### **Can I change my custom domain handle later?** Yes, you can update your handle to use a different domain by following the same setup process with the new domain. ### **Domain Registrar & Hosting Questions:** #### **Does it matter which domain registrar I use?** No, any domain registrar that allows you to modify DNS records can be used. Popular registrars include EasyDNS, GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Google Domains. #### **Can I use a domain managed by a web hosting service?** Yes, as long as the hosting service provides access to DNS management tools. #### **What if my domain’s DNS is managed by a third party (e.g., Cloudflare)?** You’ll need to add the `TXT` record in the third-party DNS management system. The process remains the same. ### **Usage Questions:** #### **Will this affect my existing website or email setup?** No, adding a `TXT` record specifically for Bluesky will not interfere with other DNS records for your domain, such as `A`, `MX`, or `CNAME` records. #### **Can multiple people use the same domain for their Bluesky handles?** Yes, if you own the domain and manage its DNS, you can configure subdomains (e.g., `@person1.yourdomain.com`, `@person2.yourdomain.com`) for multiple users. #### **Is there a cost associated with setting a custom handle?** There’s no additional cost from Bluesky. However, you need to own a domain, which typically involves an annual registration fee. ### **Advanced Questions:** #### **Can I automate the process for multiple users on my domain?** Yes, automation is possible using DNS APIs provided by services like EasyDNS or Cloudflare. Scripts can be written to add `TXT` records programmatically. #### **Can I use internationalized domain names (IDNs) for my handle?** Yes, if Bluesky and your DNS provider support IDNs, you can use them. Ensure the domain and handle encoding are handled correctly. #### **Is this setup secure?** The process is secure as long as your DNS settings are protected. Use strong authentication methods for your domain registrar account to prevent unauthorized access. #### **What happens if I let my domain registration expire?** If your domain registration lapses, your custom handle will no longer work, and your Bluesky profile may revert to the default handle.