If you already have a website, you probably already own a domain and are likely using that domain with that website. For example, you might have a blog titled "My Awesome Blog" which can be found using your domain:
http://www.myawesomeblog.com
If, however; you have your podcast and don't already have a website, you can purchase a domain at a domain registrar (such as pair Domains) and add that domain to your Libsyn show. This will allow you to use that custom domain with your Libsyn RSS feed and Libsyn generated Podcast Page.
There is a $2 per month fee for hosting a custom domain with Libsyn.
Important Note: The custom domain will not mask your media file URLs.
BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ADDING A CUSTOM DOMAIN
It is important to understand that if you are already using a domain on a website, you cannot use that domain with your Libsyn show. You can, however, use a subdomain which is explained later in this tutorial. If you have any questions, reach out to our support team before making any DNS changes.
Adding the Custom Root Domain
To add a custom domain, go under Settings -- Edit Show Settings. Select Custom Domains along the left hand side.
This next page will display any and all custom domains you have added to your show, if you have any added. Otherwise, hit Add New to add a new domain.
Enter your domain into the text box. Do not include http/s or www in your entry. Then hit Save Custom Domain.
You will be provided with name servers to add at your domain registrar.
More About Name Servers
Name servers are like the post office of the internet. The name server keeps a record of where your domain is, much like a post office knows your house address in relationship to a physical location. When a website visitor types in your website address into a browser, their computer connects to the internet and asks the question, where is this domain? Your name server will respond back saying the domain is right over here, let me load it for you. For your website to work, the best configuration is to point your name servers at your domain registrar to Libsyn.
If you are using our domain registrar, pair Domains, follow these steps:
Visit pair Domains and hit the login button found in the upper right hand corner. Once logged in, you will see a list of all the domains you have registered. Click on your domain name.
The next screen gives you all sorts of options for controlling and manipulating your domain, but first up are the list of name servers currently in use. There are 4 text boxes available. In those text boxes, erase what currently exists and enter your Libsyn provided name servers:
ns1.libsyn.com
ns2.libsyn.com
ns3.libsyn.com
ns4.libsyn.com
Note: Libsyn provides up to 6 name servers. For DNS to work, at least 2 name servers should be configured. Enter as many name servers as your registrar allows.
Once your name servers are entered, hit the Modify button. The page will refresh and a successful message will appear.
Important Note: Name server updates will take anywhere from 24-48 hours to take full affect. During this time, some visitors will see the change, others may not. If you are migrating from an old website over to Libsyn, keep your old site online to prevent downtime during the switch.
Other Domain Registrars:
Here are the knowledge base tutorials of updating name servers within some other popular domain registrars:
Adding a Custom SubDomain
If you are already using your root domain for a website or other purpose but still want to brand the URLs for your Libsyn show, you can setup a subdomain such as:
http://podcast.myawesomeblog.com
This allows you to maintain your root domain wherever it currently lives, and point only the subdomain to Libsyn. To do so, go under Settings -- Edit Show Settings. Scroll to the bottom of the page and hit Edit Custom Domains.
This next page will display any and all custom domains you have added to your show, if you have any added. Otherwise, hit Add New to add a new domain.
In the supplied text box, enter your subdomain. Do not include http/s or www in your entry. Then hit Save Custom Domain.
Hit Save Custom Domain to save your changes. The DNS records you need will then be supplied.
CNAME and A Records
When pointing a root domain, the best way to do so is to update your name servers as explained earlier. This points the entire domain, so you can control that domain from one place.
When pointing a subdomain, however, you are only pointing a single piece of the domain to Libsyn. Your root domain will remain where it is. In that case, instead of updating name servers, you will want to use a specific custom DNS record to point that subdomain to Libsyn.
CNAME Record
A CNAME record is a canonical name. It specifies an alias for that domain. So, when a visitor enters your subdomain into a web browser, and their computer asks the internet 'where does this subdomain live', the name servers assigned to the root domain will say 'oh I don't have that, it's over there, go there and you will find it', and the visitor's computer will go there, find it, and load it.
The CNAME record would get created wherever your DNS is hosted, typically this is your web host but can also be your domain registrar. The CNAME to create will be:
Replace
CNAME records take an hour or so to fully take affect.
A Record
An A record, or Address record, points a domain name (in this case a subdomain) to a specific IP address.
Note: Libsyn recommends against using an A record for the purpose of pointing a root or subdomain to Libsyn, unless other options are simply unavailable. The reason for this is the IP address the A record points to can change, and if it does, you may not be aware of the change which can cause downtime.
Adding an A record is similar to adding a CNAME record in that it is done at your DNS host (which is typically your web host or your domain registrar). The IP address to point to is:
204.16.246.222
Mail and Other Records
If you are pointing your domain to Libsyn's name servers and wish to utilize email or other specialized services requiring updates to custom DNS records, please reach out to our support team. They can put those records in place for you.
Getting Additional Help
Have questions? Contact our support staff at support@libsyn.com.