How to Verify a Domain on Facebook

Verifying your domain on Facebook is now a foundational step for anyone who wants to successfully run ads, control how their branded content looks when shared, and properly track customer actions. This guide breaks down exactly why this process is so important and gives you three different step-by-step methods to get it done, no matter your technical skill level.

Why Bother Verifying Your Domain on Facebook?

In the past, domain verification was more of a "nice-to-have" feature. Today, it’s a non-negotiable part of a solid social media marketing strategy. Changes from platforms like Apple have made it essential for anyone spending money on a Meta platform (Facebook or Instagram) and directing traffic to their own website.

It's a Must-Have for Facebook Advertisers (Thanks to iOS 14)

If you plan on running any kind of conversion-based ad campaign - like ads optimized for purchases, leads, or registrations - you absolutely need to verify your domain. This became business-critical after Apple's iOS 14 and subsequent privacy updates, which limited the data advertisers could track from users who opted out.

In response, Facebook introduced Aggregated Event Measurement. In simple terms, this protocol requires you to:

• First, verify your website domain to prove you own it.
• Second, configure and prioritize up to eight standard conversion events for that domain (e.g., Purchase, Add to Cart, Lead).

Without verifying your domain, you cannot configure these events. And if you can't configure these events, your ability to track ad performance, optimize campaigns for specific outcomes, and reach the right audience will be severely limited. For anyone serious about advertising, this isn't just a best practice, it's a requirement to play the game.

Take Full Control Over Your Shared Links

Remember when you could share a link on Facebook and edit the featured image, headline, and description right there in the post composer? For security reasons and to combat the spread of misinformation, Meta removed that ability for unverified domains.

When you verify your domain, you regain the power to edit this link metadata within the Facebook platform. This means you can customize link previews to make sure your content is presented with the most compelling visuals and copy, which directly impacts your click-through rate and brand consistency. Instead of hoping Facebook pulls the right image, you get to tell it exactly what to display. This is a huge advantage for creators, publishers, and e-commerce stores who want their content to look polished and professional every time it’s shared.

Protect Your Brand and Content

Domain verification acts as a digital seal of authenticity. It establishes a clear connection between your Facebook Page (or Business Account) and your website, proving to Meta that you are the legitimate owner. This makes it significantly harder for bad actors to use your domain in misleading ways or to impersonate your business.

By verifying, you claim ownership and prevent others from misrepresenting your brand. It gives you a layer of control and authority over how your digital property is used within Meta’s ecosystem, making your entire online presence more secure.

Getting Started: What You’ll Need

The process itself is quite simple if you have a few things ready. Before you start, make sure you have:

• A Meta Business Suite (formerly Facebook Business Manager) Account: All domain management happens here. If you don’t have one yet, it’s free and easy to set up at business.facebook.com.
• Admin-Level Access: You’ll need to be an admin on the Business Suite account to add and verify domains.
• Ability to Edit Your Website: You don't need to be a developer, but you will need access to either your website’s header code, your root directory, or your domain name registrar’s settings.

Step-by-Step: How to Verify Your Domain on Facebook

Once you have everything you need, the verification process only takes about 10-15 minutes. Meta gives you three ways to do it. We'll walk through all of them, starting with the easiest for most users.

Step 1: Head to Your Meta Business Suite

First, log in to your Meta Business Suite. In the left-hand navigation menu, find the section for Brand Safety & Suitability and click on Domains. If you can't see it, you might need to click on "All tools" to expand the full menu.

Pro Tip: Facebook's interface changes often. If the navigation looks different, look for something labeled "Business Settings" or search for "Domains" in the search bar - you'll end up in the right place.

Step 2: Add Your Domain

Once you're in the Domains section, you'll see a blue "Add" button. Click it and select "Create a new domain" from the dropdown. A popup will appear asking for your domain name.

Enter your root domain here. For example, if your website is `https://www.yourcoolsite.com`, you should enter `yourcoolsite.com`. Do not include `http://`, `https://`, or `www.` in the field. After entering it, click the "Add" button.

Your domain will now be added to your list with a "Not Verified" status. The next screen will show you the three methods you can use for verification.

Step 3: Pick Your Verification Method

You have three options. Pick the one that seems most manageable for you based on how your website is built.

Method 1: The Meta-Tag Method (Great for WordPress & Shopify)

This is often the quickest method for people using popular content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Shopify, or Squarespace.

1. On the verification options page, make sure "Add a meta-tag to your HTML source code" is selected.
2. Facebook will provide you with a single line of code that looks something like this:
   <,meta name="facebook-domain-verification" content="abc123xyz789" />,
3. Copy this entire meta-tag to your clipboard.
4. Now, log in to your website’s back-end and paste this code into the `` section of your homepage’s HTML.
   • For WordPress: The easiest way to do this is with a free plugin like "Insert Headers and Footers." Once installed, go to its settings, and paste the code into the "Scripts in Header" box. Save your changes.
   • For Shopify: Go to Online Store >, Themes. Click the "Actions" dropdown on your current theme and select "Edit code." Find the `theme.liquid` file. Paste the Meta tag code directly below the opening `` tag and save.
   • For Squarespace: Go to Settings >, Advanced >, Code Injection, and paste the code into the Header field. Save.
5. Once you've saved the code on your site, head back to your Facebook Business Settings page to complete the final step.

Method 2: The HTML File Upload Method (Good for cPanel Users)

This method involves uploading a file to your website. It's a great choice if you are comfortable using an FTP client (like FileZilla) or your hosting provider's File Manager.

1. On the verification page in Facebook, select the "Upload an HTML file to your root directory" option.
2. Click the link provided to download the specific verification HTML file. It will have a unique name.
3. Log into your website hosting cPanel or fire up your FTP client and navigate to your site's root directory. This is usually named `public_html` or `www`.
4. Upload the HTML file you just downloaded directly into this root directory. Do not put it in a subfolder.
5. After uploading, you can confirm it's working by clicking the link provided in step 3 on the Facebook verification page. If it was uploaded correctly, it will open a page that displays your unique verification code.

Method 3: The DNS Record Method (Most Technical, But Solid)

This is the most technically involved method, but it is also extremely reliable and you won't have to worry about the verification breaking if you change website themes in the future. It involves adding a Text (TXT) record to your domain's DNS settings.

1. Choose the "Update the DNS TXT record with your domain registrar" option in your Business Settings.
2. Facebook will provide you with a unique TXT record, like `facebook-domain-verification=abc123xyz789`. Copy this full record.
3. Log into your domain registrar's account (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Bluehost, Cloudflare).
4. Navigate to the DNS Management or DNS Zone Editor section for the domain you are verifying.
5. Create a new DNS record. Set it up with the following:
   • Type: TXT
   • Host/Name: Enter `@` (some registrars might require you to leave it blank or enter your domain name, `yourcoolsite.com.`). The `@` symbol simply refers to the root domain.
   • Value/Record: Paste the full TXT record you copied from Facebook.
   • TTL (Time to Live): Leave this at the default setting (usually 1 hour or 3600 seconds).
6. Save the new record. DNS changes can take some time to propagate across the internet - sometimes a few minutes, sometimes up to 72 hours (though it's rarely that long).

Step 4: Finalize the Verification

After you’ve completed your chosen method (pasting the meta-tag, uploading the file, or adding the DNS record), go back to your Meta Business Suite domain settings page. With your domain still selected, click the green "Verify Domain" button.

Facebook will check to see if it can find the verification code. If it's successful, a confirmation will appear, and the status next to your domain will change from red ("Not Verified") to green ("Verified"). Congratulations, you're done!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If the verification doesn't work on the first try, don't panic. Here are a couple of common reasons why:

• Caching Delays: Your website might use a caching plugin or service (like Cloudflare). Clear your website's cache and your browser cache, then try verifying again.
• DNS Propagation Time: If you used the DNS method, you likely just need to wait a bit longer for the changes to take effect. Give it at least 30 minutes before trying again.
• Incorrect Placement: Double-check that you placed the code, file, or record in the right location. For the Meta-tag, make sure it’s between the `` and `` tags. For the HTML file, be certain it’s in the root folder, not a sub-folder.

Final Thoughts

Verifying your domain on Facebook is a straightforward process that unlocks essential features for advertising, content sharing, and brand control. By dedicating a few minutes to this one-time setup, you are properly equipping your business for success on Meta's powerful ad platform and securing command over your digital identity.

Once your domain is verified and you’re running ads or sharing links, managing the creative side becomes the next challenge. At Postbase, we built our platform to simplify the entire content lifecycle. We knew how frustrating it was wrestling with outdated tools, so we designed a clean, visual calendar to plan your content, rock-solid scheduling for all major platforms (especially short-form video), and a unified inbox to keep track of your comments and DMs. This lets you put your energy back into creating great content without getting lost in the chaos of managing social platforms.