Setting up a branded tracking domain

This guide walks through adding a branded tracking domain, from the first DNS record to assigning it to your audiences. It takes a few minutes in Tarvent plus one change at your domain provider, then a short wait for the domain to verify and secure.

In this guide, you'll find:

Add the domain in Tarvent
Add the DNS record
Verification and SSL
Assign it to your audiences
Troubleshooting
FAQs

1 Add the domain in Tarvent

In your account's Links & pages settings, choose to add a branded domain and enter the domain you want to use. A subdomain of a domain you already own works best, for example links.yourbrand.com. Tarvent then shows you the DNS record to add.

2 Add the DNS record

At your domain provider (where your DNS is managed), add the record Tarvent shows you. It's a single record that points your subdomain at Tarvent so it can serve and secure your links. Copy the name and value exactly as shown.

Tip: If you're not sure where your DNS is managed, it's usually your domain registrar or the service hosting your website. Your IT person or web host can add the record in a couple of minutes.

3 Verification and SSL

Once the record is in place, Tarvent verifies the domain and automatically issues an SSL certificate for it, so your links load securely with https. DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to take effect, and Tarvent keeps checking, so you don't have to do anything but wait. The domain's status updates on its own once it's ready.

4 Assign it to your audiences

A branded domain is used per audience. Assign your verified domain to the audiences you want it to apply to, and their tracked links, hosted forms, and landing pages will start using it. You can use different branded domains for different audiences, which is handy for agencies managing several brands.

5 Troubleshooting

Still not verified? Double-check the record name and value match exactly what Tarvent shows, with no extra spaces, and give DNS time to propagate.
Secure certificate pending? SSL is issued after the domain verifies. If verification just completed, give it a little longer.
Links still show the old domain? Make sure the branded domain is assigned to the audience you're sending to.

6 FAQs

How long does verification take?

It depends on how quickly your DNS change propagates, which can be a few minutes to a few hours. Tarvent keeps checking automatically and updates the status once the domain is verified and secured.

Do I have to set up SSL myself?

No. Tarvent issues and renews the SSL certificate for your branded domain automatically once it verifies. There's nothing to buy or configure.

Can I use a different branded domain for each audience?

Yes. Branded domains are assigned per audience, so you can point different audiences at different domains, which is useful when you manage multiple brands or clients.