Your Bluesky handle is your public identity on the platform. By default, Bluesky assigns a handle ending in bsky.social. You can replace that with a custom domain you own, such as yourname.com. This makes your profile look more professional and verifies that you control the domain.
The process requires adding two DNS records at GoDaddy and then entering the domain in Bluesky’s settings. The domain must already be registered with GoDaddy, and you must have access to its DNS management panel.
This article walks through each step: finding the correct DNS settings in GoDaddy, adding the necessary TXT record, and finishing the setup inside Bluesky. No coding or advanced technical skills are needed.
Key Takeaways: Setting a Custom Bluesky Handle with GoDaddy
- GoDaddy DNS Management: Add a TXT record with the value Bluesky provides to prove domain ownership.
- Bluesky Settings > Account > Handle: Enter your custom domain and click “Update” to finalize the change.
- DNS Propagation Time: Wait up to 10 minutes after adding the record before Bluesky can verify your domain.
How Bluesky Verifies a Custom Domain Handle
Bluesky uses a standard DNS verification method. When you tell Bluesky you want to use a custom domain as your handle, Bluesky checks for a specific TXT record at that domain. The TXT record must contain a value that Bluesky provides. If the record matches, Bluesky confirms you own the domain and changes your handle.
The TXT record is placed on the root domain, not a subdomain. For example, if your domain is yourname.com, the record goes on @ (the root). The record type is TXT, the host is @, and the value is a string starting with did= followed by your Bluesky decentralized identifier.
You do not need to change nameservers, create an A record, or modify existing MX records. The TXT record is the only addition required. After adding it, you must wait for DNS propagation, which typically completes within 10 minutes but can take up to an hour depending on your network.
Steps to Set Your Bluesky Handle with GoDaddy
Follow these steps exactly. Do not skip any step.
- Log in to GoDaddy and open DNS Management
Go to GoDaddy Domain Control Center and sign in. Click the domain you want to use. In the left menu, click DNS. This opens the DNS Management page for your domain. - Open Bluesky and copy your DID
In a new browser tab, go to Bluesky and log in. Click Settings from the left sidebar. Click Account. Under the Handle section, click Change handle. Select I have my own domain. Bluesky shows a string starting withdid=. Click the Copy button next to that string. - Add a TXT record in GoDaddy
Return to the GoDaddy DNS Management tab. Click Add New Record. From the Type dropdown, select TXT. In the Name field, type@. In the Value field, paste the string you copied from Bluesky. Set TTL to600seconds or leave the default. Click Save. A confirmation message appears. - Wait for DNS propagation
DNS changes do not take effect instantly. Wait at least 10 minutes before proceeding. You can check propagation using a site like DNS Checker. Enter your domain and select TXT. Look for thedid=value you added. - Verify the handle in Bluesky
Go back to the Bluesky tab where you copied the DID. Click Verify DNS Record. Bluesky checks for the TXT record. If the record is found, the button changes to Update. Click Update. Your handle is now your custom domain, for exampleyourname.com.
Common Issues After Changing Your Handle
Bluesky says “No TXT record found”
This usually means DNS has not propagated yet. Wait 15 minutes and try again. If the problem persists, double-check the TXT record in GoDaddy. Make sure the Name field is @ and the Value field contains the exact did= string with no extra spaces. Also confirm you saved the record.
The handle change works but your old posts still show the old handle
Bluesky updates your handle on the server side. Older posts may take a few minutes to reflect the new handle. Refresh your profile page or log out and log back in. The handle on all posts eventually updates.
You cannot change the handle back to a previous custom domain
Bluesky allows you to change your handle at any time. If you want to revert to a previous custom domain, repeat the DNS setup for that domain. If you want to return to bsky.social, select Use default handle in the handle change screen.
GoDaddy shows an error when saving the TXT record
This can happen if the value contains invalid characters. The did= string uses only letters, numbers, colons, and percent signs. Make sure you copied the entire string. If GoDaddy still rejects it, try removing any trailing whitespace or line breaks.
Bluesky Handle Options: Default vs Custom Domain
| Item | Default bsky.social Handle | Custom Domain Handle |
|---|---|---|
| Example | @yourname.bsky.social | @yourname.com |
| Setup time | None, auto-assigned | 10–15 minutes with DNS |
| Cost | Free | Domain registration fee |
| Verification | Platform-level only | Domain ownership proof |
| Portability | Locked to Bluesky | Can be moved to other AT Protocol services |
| Professional appearance | Less | More |
You now know how to set a Bluesky handle with GoDaddy as the registrar. The process involves adding a single TXT record and waiting for DNS propagation. After verification, your profile displays your custom domain as your handle. For advanced use, you can also add a subdomain handle, such as @social.yourname.com, by placing the TXT record on that subdomain instead of the root. This is useful if you want your main domain to remain for email or a website.