DNS propagation is a fundamental concept in the world of the internet, crucial for both web developers and everyday users. In this article we will dive into what it is, why it takes time, and practical steps to speed up the process.
What is DNS Propagation?
DNS propagation is the process by which the updated DNS records of a domain are spread across all the DNS servers worldwide. Essentially, it’s the period during which updates to a DNS record (such as changing the IP address linked to a domain name) take to be fully updated across the internet’s web servers.
When you make changes to your DNS records, like switching hosting providers or moving to a different server, those changes aren’t immediate. Every server that caches DNS information needs to update its cache, leading to a propagation period.