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 offers you three different step-by-step methods to get it done, regardless of 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 an essential part of a solid social media marketing strategy. Changes from platforms like Apple have made it necessary 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 - such as ads optimized for purchases, leads, or registrations - you absolutely need to verify your domain. This became 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. Essentially, this protocol requires you to:

• First, verify your website domain to prove ownership.
• 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 set up these events, your ability to track ad performance, optimize campaigns for specific outcomes, and reach your target audience will be severely limited. For serious advertisers, this isn't just best practice - it's a requirement to compete effectively.

Take Full Control Over Your Shared Links

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

Verifying your domain restores the ability to edit link metadata within Facebook. You can customize link previews to ensure your content appears with the most compelling visuals and copy, directly influencing your click-through rate and brand consistency. Instead of relying on Facebook to select an image, you get to specify exactly what is displayed. This is a huge advantage for creators, publishers, and e-commerce stores aiming for polished, professional-looking shared content every time.

Protect Your Brand and Content

Domain verification acts as a digital authenticity seal. 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 much harder for malicious actors to misuse your domain or impersonate your brand.

By verifying, you claim ownership and prevent others from misrepresenting your brand. It gives you control and authority over how your digital property is used within Meta’s ecosystem, enhancing your overall online security.

Getting Started: What You’ll Need

The process is quite simple if you have a few things prepared. Before you begin, ensure you have:

• A Meta Business Suite (formerly Facebook Business Manager): All domain management takes place here. If you don’t have one, it’s free and easy to set up at business.facebook.com.
• Admin-Level Access: You 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 your website’s header code, root directory, or your domain registrar’s settings.

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

Once ready, the verification process takes about 10-15 minutes. Meta offers three methods, and 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 navigation menu, find and click on Brand Safety &, Suitability, then select Domains. If you don’t see it immediately, click on "All tools" to expand the menu.

Pro Tip: Facebook's interface updates frequently. If navigation looks different, look for "Business Settings" or search for "Domains" in the search bar - you'll find the right section.

Step 2: Add Your Domain

In the Domains section, click the blue "Add" button. Choose "Create a new domain" from the dropdown menu. A popup will ask for your domain name.

Enter your root domain - e.g., if your site is `https://www.yourcoolsite.com`, type `yourcoolsite.com`. Omit `http://`, `https://`, and `www.`. After entering your domain, click "Add."

You'll see your domain listed with a "Not Verified" status. The next page presents three verification options.

Step 3: Select Verification Method

Choose the method that best suits your website setup. Here are the options:

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

This is the fastest route for platforms like WordPress, Shopify, or Squarespace.

1. Ensure "Add a meta-tag to your HTML source code" is selected on the verification options page.
2. Facebook provides a line of code, such as:
   <,meta name="facebook-domain-verification" content="abc123xyz789" />,
3. Copy this entire meta-tag to your clipboard.
4. Log into your website backend and insert this code into the `` section of your homepage HTML:
   • For WordPress: Use a 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: Navigate to Online Store >, Themes. Click "Actions" > "Edit code." Open `theme.liquid` and paste the meta tag immediately below the opening `` tag. Save.
   • For Squarespace: Go to Settings >, Advanced >, Code Injection, then paste into the Header section. Save.
5. After saving, return to your Facebook domain verification page to complete verification.

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

This method involves uploading a verification HTML file to your server.

1. Select "Upload an HTML file to your root directory" on Facebook.
2. Download the unique HTML verification file via the provided link.
3. Using your hosting cPanel or FTP client, upload the file into the root directory (often named `public_html` or `www`).
4. Verify upload success by clicking the link provided on the Facebook page. It should display your verification code.

Method 3: The DNS Record Method (Most Technical, Highly Reliable)

This involves adding a TXT record to your domain’s DNS settings. It's the most dependable method and doesn't depend on your website's CMS or file structure.

1. Select "Update the DNS TXT record with your domain registrar" in Business Settings.
2. Copy the provided TXT record, e.g., `facebook-domain-verification=abc123xyz789`.
3. Log into your domain registrar’s account (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare).
4. Access your DNS management panel.
5. Create a new TXT record with:
   • Type: TXT
   • Host/Name: Enter `@` (or your domain name, like `yourcoolsite.com.`). The `@` typically refers to the root domain.
   • Value/Record: Paste the full TXT record from Facebook.
   • TTL: Leave at default (usually 3600 seconds or 1 hour).
6. Save the record. DNS changes can take some time to propagate, from minutes up to 72 hours (though usually much sooner).

Final Step: Complete Verification

After implementing your chosen method, go back to your Facebook domain settings. With your domain selected, click the green "Verify Domain" button.

Facebook will check for the verification code. If successful, you'll see a confirmation message, and the status will change from red ("Not Verified") to green ("Verified"). Congratulations, you've completed the process!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If verification fails initially, don’t worry. Common reasons include:

• Caching Delays: Clear your website’s cache and your browser cache, then retry.
• DNS Propagation: If you've used the DNS method, wait a bit longer for the changes to take effect, usually at least 30 minutes.
• Incorrect Placement: Double-check that the code, file, or record is in the correct location. For meta-tags, ensure it’s within `` tags. For file upload, verify it’s in the root directory, not a subfolder.

Final Thoughts

Verifying your domain on Facebook is a simple process that unlocks vital features for advertising, sharing content, and brand protection. Spending a few minutes on this one-time setup prepares your business for success on Meta’s advertising platform and secures your online identity.

After your domain is verified and you’re running ads or sharing links, focus on creative content. At Postbase, we built our platform to streamline content management. We designed a visual content calendar, reliable scheduling for various platforms (especially short-form video), and a unified inbox to track comments and DMs. This enables you to focus on creating quality content without getting overwhelmed by social platform management.