A Record

An A record (Address record) is a fundamental DNS (Domain Name System) entry that maps a human-readable domain name to a specific IPv4 address. It acts as the phonebook of the internet: when a visitor types a domain into their browser, the DNS resolver looks up the A record to find the numerical IP address of the server hosting that domain's content. A records only handle IPv4 addresses (the familiar four-number format like 203.0.113.50). For IPv6 addresses, the equivalent is an AAAA record. Every domain that serves a website or web application needs at least one A record or its equivalent pointing to the correct server.

For digital publishers who want flipbooks and documents served from their own branded domain rather than a generic URL, the A record is the first link in the chain. A correctly configured A record ensures that visitors who type your domain reach your content, not a blank page or an error. Custom domains build trust with readers, reinforce brand identity, and improve recognition in search results. Misconfigured A records are one of the most common causes of "site not found" errors, and because DNS changes can take hours to propagate, catching mistakes early saves significant downtime.

FlipLink's [custom domains](/features/custom-domains) feature lets you serve publications from a domain you own. During setup, you add an A record (or a CNAME record for subdomains) in your domain registrar's DNS panel that points to FlipLink's server IP address. Once the DNS change propagates — typically within a few minutes to a few hours — your flipbooks and documents become accessible at your custom domain. FlipLink handles SSL certificate provisioning automatically through Let's Encrypt, so your branded URL is served over HTTPS without any manual certificate management. If you are mapping a subdomain like docs.yourcompany.com, a CNAME record pointing to FlipLink's hostname is often the simpler choice, but root domains (yourcompany.com) require an A record because the DNS specification does not allow CNAME records at the zone apex.