Search Atlas Help Center

🛠️ Fix White-Label DNS and Team Invitation Issues

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Camilo Aponte

Camilo Aponte

Last updated on Sep 30, 2026

🔍 Overview

White-label setup in Search Atlas lets you present the platform under your own brand and custom domain. When DNS is misconfigured, team member invitation links can break or fail to load. This article walks you through the correct DNS setup, how to connect an alternative host, and how to fix invitation link issues.

⚙️ How White-Label DNS Works

When you enable white-label, Search Atlas maps your custom domain (for example, reports.yourdomain.com) to the Search Atlas platform. For this to work, your domain's DNS records must point to the correct destination. If these records are missing, incorrect, or haven't propagated yet, any links generated under your white-label domain — including team member invitations — will not resolve properly.

🚀 Step 1: Configure Your DNS Records

Log in to your domain registrar or DNS provider (for example, Cloudflare, GoDaddy, or Namecheap) and add the following record:

  • Record type: CNAME
  • Host / Name: The subdomain you want to use (for example, reports)
  • Points to / Value: The target address provided in your Search Atlas white-label settings
  • TTL: 3600 (or Auto)

Save the record. DNS propagation typically takes between 15 minutes and 48 hours depending on your provider and previous TTL values.

🔗 Step 2: Enter Your Custom Domain in Search Atlas

  1. Log in to Search Atlas and go to your Account Settings.
  2. Navigate to the White Label section.
  3. Enter your full custom domain in the Custom Domain field (for example, reports.yourdomain.com).
  4. Click Save or Verify Domain.
  5. Wait for the platform to confirm that the domain has been verified successfully. If verification fails, double-check that your CNAME record matches the target address shown on screen exactly.

🌐 Step 3: Connect an Alternative Host

If you need to use a different hosting provider or DNS manager than your primary domain registrar, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your alternative DNS provider and create a new CNAME record using the same values described in Step 1.
  2. If your domain is currently managed by another provider, update your domain's nameservers to point to the new host, or add the CNAME record directly at the registrar level without changing nameservers (this is usually the simpler option).
  3. Return to Search Atlas white-label settings and re-enter your custom domain, then click Verify Domain again once propagation is complete.

Tip: Use a free tool like dnschecker.org to confirm your CNAME record has propagated across global DNS servers before retrying verification.

📧 Step 4: Resend Team Member Invitations

Once your domain is verified and DNS has fully propagated, any previously sent invitation links that used the broken domain will no longer work. You must resend invitations so they are generated under the now-active white-label domain. To do this:

  1. Go to Account Settings and open the Team Members section.
  2. Locate the team member whose invitation did not work.
  3. Click Resend Invitation next to their name.
  4. Ask the team member to check their inbox (and spam folder) for the new link and follow the instructions to accept the invitation.

⚠️ Common Issues and Fixes

  • Invitation link shows a "site can't be reached" error: DNS has not propagated yet, or the CNAME record is missing. Verify the record at your DNS provider and wait up to 48 hours.
  • Domain verification fails in Search Atlas: Ensure there are no extra spaces in the CNAME value and that no conflicting A records exist for the same subdomain.
  • Team member receives the invitation but cannot log in: The domain may be verified but SSL is still being provisioned. Wait 10–15 minutes and try again.
  • Using Cloudflare: Set the CNAME record proxy status to DNS only (grey cloud icon) rather than proxied (orange cloud). Proxying can interfere with SSL certificate provisioning on Search Atlas's end.

💡 Tips for a Smooth Setup

  • Use a dedicated subdomain (for example, seo.youragency.com) rather than your root domain to avoid conflicts with your main website.
  • Complete DNS setup and domain verification before inviting team members to avoid broken links.
  • If you manage multiple client workspaces, each workspace can have its own white-label domain — repeat this process for each one.

🙋 Need More Help?

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.