DNS guide
Adding email records in Bluehost
Bluehost hosts DNS for domains that use its nameservers, and those domains get their SPF, DKIM and DMARC records through the Bluehost Portal.
By Ahmet Karaca · Updated · Checked against Bluehost documentation on
Steps
- Log in to the Bluehost Portal, click Domains in the left-hand menu and open the DNS tab.
- Under Manage Advanced DNS Records, click + Add record and choose Single, or Multiple to enter several records at once.
- Select the type, enter the Host Record (@ for the root domain) and the value, keep the default TTL and click Add.
Common mistakes
- Bluehost's default SPF is v=spf1 a mx include:websitewelcome.com ~all. Bluehost says that default must be deleted before you install a new SPF record, and that other servers you send from go in the second part of the record.
- When mail is hosted outside Bluehost, set email routing in cPanel to Remote Mail Exchanger. Bluehost says a Temporary Local Problem error when sending is usually a sign of an incorrect routing setting.
- An MX record's Points to value at Bluehost must be a domain name, not an IP address.
- Bluehost's DNS editor manages domains pointed to its nameservers (ns1.bluehost.com and ns2.bluehost.com). Before switching away, Bluehost says to make sure every DNS setting has moved and then test sending and receiving email.
Watch out for
- Hosting plans also offer cPanel → Domains → Zone Editor for domains that use Bluehost's nameservers.
- The Actions menu on the DNS tab imports or exports the whole DNS zone as a file.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a Bluehost record change take hours when nameservers take days?
Bluehost says individual record updates take a few minutes and up to 8 hours, while nameserver changes can take 24 to 48 hours to propagate globally.
What TTL does Bluehost suggest for SPF?
Bluehost's SPF guide recommends 4 hours.
What is Bluehost's Multiple record option?
A way to add several records in one go: choose Multiple, select the type, click Continue, use + Add more records for each one and then click Save.
When do I add Bluehost MX records by hand?
Only when restoring Bluehost mail after using another provider. Domains on Bluehost nameservers get local MX records automatically.
What to add
Pick the service you're setting up to see the exact records:
Mailbox providers
Marketing platforms
Official reference: Bluehost documentation.
Check your Bluehost setup
Or open the SPF checker, DKIM checker or DMARC checker directly.