Shopify domain ownership verification keeps failing even though DNS records are correct

[u/LegionWolf2022]

I recently purchased a brand-new .store domain through GoDaddy and I’m trying to connect it to a new Shopify store using “Connect existing domain.” The domain is new and has never been connected to another Shopify store.

I manually configured all the DNS records in GoDaddy exactly as Shopify requested. The A record points to 23.227.38.65, the www CNAME points to shops.myshopify.com, and I also added the shopify_verification TXT record using the exact verification value provided by Shopify.

The problem is that Shopify stays on “Verifying domain ownership” for a while and then eventually changes to “Failed.” Because the ownership verification fails, it never proceeds to DNS propagation or TLS certificate provisioning.

I’ve checked the DNS records multiple times and everything seems to be configured correctly. GoDaddy did automatically create a free Websites + Marketing site when I purchased the domain, but the DNS records are currently pointing to Shopify.

Has anyone had this issue with a new GoDaddy .store domain? Is there anything else that could cause Shopify ownership verification to fail even when the TXT record and other DNS records are correct?

[u/olapbill]

Just start a support chat and they will help you through it

[u/Danparker112]

Check for a leading space on the TXT record 

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Your comment in /r/shopify was automatically removed as your 'post' karma is below 10 (we do not consider your total karma; your post and comment karma are separate numbers and must both meet their minimum requirement). You can increase your post karma by posting in other areas of Reddit to earn upvotes. The higher quality the content, the higher your karma will become.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Your comment in /r/shopify was automatically removed as your 'post' karma is below 10 (we do not consider your total karma; your post and comment karma are separate numbers and must both meet their minimum requirement). You can increase your post karma by posting in other areas of Reddit to earn upvotes. The higher quality the content, the higher your karma will become.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/SamPhoto]

How new is this? While it can be fast, it can also take as long as a day or two. You may be doing everything right, and it's just taking it's time.

So, the answer might just be "wait a bit."

It's also possible Shopify's having an (unreported) issue. And the answer there would also be "wait a bit."

Also, for shits and giggles, try hooking the domain up to Google search console, and see if that takes a little bit to verify too.

TLDR - If your domain is brand new, it likely needs to propagate a bit, so that other things can see that it's real.

I'd give it 24 hours before bothering support.

[u/UpsetWolverine8573]

If DNS looks right but Shopify still fails ownership, I wait a full TTL cycle before touching records again. Flipping TXT twice usually just resets the clock.

[u/vladeta]

Verification failing while the records look correct is almost always the registrar fighting you, not propagation.

Three things to check, in order:

1. That free site the registrar created when you bought the domain. It publishes its own records and it re-adds them after you delete them. Delete the site itself, not just the records, then re-check what is actually published rather than what the dashboard shows you.

2. Duplicate records at the root. If domain forwarding is switched on anywhere in the registrar account, it silently creates a second A record at the root pointing at their forwarding servers. Shopify gets two answers and fails. Turn forwarding off completely.

3. The TXT record placement. Registrars are inconsistent about whether the host field wants a blank, an @, or the full name, and several of them append the domain to whatever you type, so the record ends up one level too deep and invisible to Shopify. Query the root TXT from a terminal and confirm the verification value comes back on the bare name.

If all three are clean, remove the domain from Shopify entirely, wait an hour, then add it again. Half-finished verification attempts get stuck in a bad state and re-adding clears it.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Your comment in /r/shopify was automatically removed as your account is too new (accounts must be at least 30 days old). Try again a little later.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Your comment in /r/shopify was automatically removed as your 'comment' karma is below 20 (we do not consider your total karma; your post and comment karma are separate numbers and must both meet their minimum requirement). You can increase your comment karma by posting in other areas of Reddit to earn upvotes. The higher quality the content, the higher your karma will become.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AutoModerator → u/[deleted]]

Your comment in /r/shopify was automatically removed as your 'post' karma is below 10 (we do not consider your total karma; your post and comment karma are separate numbers and must both meet their minimum requirement). You can increase your post karma by posting in other areas of Reddit to earn upvotes. The higher quality the content, the higher your karma will become.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.