Custom domains
A custom domain serves your status page from your own hostname, for example status.example.com. You add one DNS record, Spectate verifies that you own the domain, and the first HTTPS visit gets a certificate. The default address https://<slug>.spectate.page continues to work.
All paid plans and the trial include custom domains. Owners, managers and admins can add them.
Add a custom domain
- In the dashboard, open the status page and go to the Domain tab.
- Type the Hostname, for example
status.example.com. - Select Add domain.
- Add the DNS records that the DNS records section shows, at your DNS provider.
- Select Check DNS.
When the check finds a correct record, the section shows Domain verified. DNS changes can take some time to reach all resolvers. If the check finds nothing, wait and select Check DNS again. Spectate does not check again by itself.
A subdomain such as status.example.com is the easiest choice: one CNAME record verifies the domain and sends visitors to Spectate.
DNS records
Every status page with a custom domain has its own CNAME target, for example 3f9a1c07b2e4d856.custom.spectate.page. Only this page uses it. The DNS records section shows the target of your page. Copy the values from there.
Subdomain
Add one CNAME record:
| Type | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
CNAME | status.example.com | The page's target, for example 3f9a1c07b2e4d856.custom.spectate.page |
This record verifies the domain and routes the visitors.
If you cannot add a CNAME record, for example because a proxy is in front of the domain, verify with a TXT record instead:
| Type | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
TXT | _spectate.status.example.com | The token from the dashboard, for example spectate-verify=... |
The TXT record only proves that you own the domain. Visitors must still reach Spectate, through a CNAME to the page's target or through the same IP addresses.
Root domain
A root domain such as example.com cannot have a CNAME record. Add both of these records:
| Type | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
TXT | _spectate.example.com | The token from the dashboard |
ALIAS | example.com | The page's target |
Use the ALIAS, ANAME or CNAME flattening record of your DNS provider. If your provider has none of these, add A and AAAA records with the addresses that dig +short <target> returns. These addresses can change, so an ALIAS record is better. You can also use a subdomain instead.
Check results
For each record, the DNS records section shows what DNS returns:
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Found | The record has the expected value. |
Points at <value> | A record exists, with a different value. |
| Not found | DNS returns no record. |
Traffic reaches Spectate shows Yes when the domain points at Spectate, by the CNAME or by the same IP addresses. Otherwise it shows the address that the domain resolves to, or Not yet.
One correct record verifies the domain: the CNAME to the page's target, or the TXT token. After that, the domain stays verified, also if a later check fails.
A CNAME to a shared Spectate host, such as status.spectate.page, does not verify a domain. Only the target of your own page or the TXT token proves that you own it. This stops other teams from claiming a domain that still points at Spectate.
HTTPS
You do not need to configure HTTPS. Spectate gets a certificate on the first HTTPS visit to the domain, after the domain is verified and points at Spectate. This first request can take a few seconds. Spectate renews the certificate automatically.
Spectate gets certificates only for verified domains of status pages that are not paused. This applies to public, private and password-protected pages.
Change or remove the domain
To change the domain, type the new hostname and select Update domain. The new domain gets a new TXT token and must be verified again. The CNAME target of the page stays the same.
To remove the domain, select Remove domain. The page then has only its default address.
What can go wrong
| Problem | Result | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The domain is not verified. | Spectate does not serve the page on the domain and gets no certificate. | Add the CNAME or TXT record, then select Check DNS. |
| Traffic reaches Spectate is not Yes. | Visitors do not reach the page. | Point the domain at the page's target with a CNAME or ALIAS record. |
| The CNAME points at another host. | The check shows Points at with that host. | Change the CNAME to the target shown in the dashboard. |
The hostname is under spectate.page, or another page uses it. | The dashboard rejects the hostname. | Use a domain that you own and that no other status page uses. |
| The page is paused because of the plan limit. | Spectate does not serve the page or issue a certificate. | Upgrade the plan or delete another status page. |
The Integrations page of the dashboard lists all custom domains of the team, with Verified or Awaiting DNS.
Pages from Spectate v1
Pages that moved from the previous version of Spectate keep their verified domain and their target <slug>.custom.spectate.page. A CNAME to the old shared target cname.spectate.page continues to work for these domains. It does not verify a new domain.