When setting up Search Atlas White Label, you are required to create a CNAME record in your domain’s DNS settings.
This step connects your custom subdomain (for example, seo.yourdomain.com) to Search Atlas so the platform can load correctly under your brand.
If the CNAME is missing, incorrect, or not fully propagated, verification may fail, and the “Verify Domain” button will stay disabled until a subdomain value is entered and the record resolves correctly.
🧠 What Is a CNAME Record?
A CNAME (Canonical Name) record is a DNS setting that makes one domain act as an alias of another domain. In simple terms, a CNAME tells the internet: “When someone visits this subdomain, send them to that service instead.” Instead of pointing to an IP address, a CNAME always points to another domain name.
Example: seo.yourdomain.com points to whitelabel.dns.searchatlas.com. When someone visits seo.yourdomain.com, DNS forwards the request to Search Atlas behind the scenes.
🎯 Why Search Atlas Requires a CNAME
Search Atlas uses a CNAME for White Label setups because it allows your platform to load under your own branded subdomain, it avoids exposing Search Atlas system domains to your clients, and it lets Search Atlas manage infrastructure changes without you updating IPs.
This is a standard and widely used approach for SaaS white-label solutions.
📍 Official CNAME Target Used by Search Atlas
For White Label configuration, Search Atlas provides the following CNAME destination: whitelabel.dns.searchatlas.com. Your DNS record must point your chosen subdomain to this exact value.
🛠️ Step-by-Step: How to Create the CNAME Record
1. Open your DNS settings. Log in to the platform where your domain’s DNS is managed, this could be your domain registrar or a DNS provider like Cloudflare. Look for DNS, Manage DNS, or DNS Records.
2. Add a new DNS record. Click Add record or Add DNS record, then create a new record with these values: Type = CNAME, Name/Host = your subdomain (e.g. seo), Target/Value = whitelabel.dns.searchatlas.com, TTL = Auto or Default. The example result is seo.yourdomain.com pointing to whitelabel.dns.searchatlas.com.
3. Make sure the subdomain is exclusive. The subdomain you use must not be used by any other service, it should be dedicated only to Search Atlas White Label. If another record already exists for that subdomain, remove it before adding the CNAME.
4. Save changes and wait for DNS propagation. Once saved, DNS updates may take time to propagate, commonly 1 to 5 minutes with Cloudflare, or up to 24 to 48 hours with other providers. During this period, verification may not complete immediately, this is expected behavior.
✅ How to Verify Your CNAME
You can confirm your CNAME is working using a DNS lookup tool to check that seo.yourdomain.com resolves to whitelabel.dns.searchatlas.com, or by opening your subdomain in a browser, if DNS is active, it should no longer behave like an unconfigured domain.
⚠️ Common Errors and How to Fix Them
If the “Verify Domain” button stays disabled or verification fails, this usually means the CNAME record does not exist yet, the target value is incorrect, DNS propagation is still in progress, or the subdomain is being used by another service.
To fix it, confirm the target is exactly whitelabel.dns.searchatlas.com, make sure there is only one record for that subdomain, and wait up to 48 hours before trying verification again.
🧠 Important Things to Know
- A CNAME always points to a domain, never to an IP
- A CNAME is usually used for subdomains, not the root domain
- DNS propagation delays are expected and normal
- No additional configuration is needed once the CNAME is correct
🧩 Quick Summary
- Search Atlas White Label requires a CNAME record
- Your subdomain must point to whitelabel.dns.searchatlas.com
- The subdomain must be exclusive
- DNS changes can take time to propagate
- Once active, verification should complete successfully
Setting up a CNAME record is a standard and reliable way to connect your branded subdomain with Search Atlas White Label. Once the record is correctly configured and DNS propagation has completed, your platform will load seamlessly under your own domain, without exposing Search Atlas system URLs.
If verification doesn’t complete immediately, don’t worry, DNS changes can take time to propagate. Double-check the record details, ensure the subdomain is exclusive, and try again after propagation finishes.
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.