Custom Domain
Use your own domain for tracking to improve data accuracy
Use your own domain for tracking to improve data accuracy and avoid ad blockers.
Why use a custom domain
Ad blockers and browser privacy features sometimes block third-party tracking scripts. When your tracking runs on a third-party domain, some visitors' data may be lost.
By setting up a custom subdomain (e.g., t.yourdomain.com), the tracker becomes a first-party script -- it runs on your own domain, just like the rest of your website. Most ad blockers do not block first-party requests, so you capture more accurate data.
Not ITP-proof
A custom tracking domain gets past ad blockers, but Safari and iPhones still forget returning visitors after 7 days: the subdomain points at Atribu's servers, not your site's, and Safari limits cookies from a different network. To keep visitors identified for up to 400 days, use a same-origin collector.
Setup
Open tracking settings
Go to Settings > Tracking in your Atribu dashboard.
Enter your custom subdomain
Choose a subdomain on your domain, for example:
t.yourdomain.com
track.yourdomain.com
data.yourdomain.comAny subdomain works. Keep it short -- t is a popular choice.
Add the DNS record
Add a CNAME record at your DNS provider pointing your subdomain to Atribu's tracking server:
| Type | Name | Target |
|---|---|---|
| CNAME | t | collect.atribu.app |
The exact steps depend on your DNS provider (Cloudflare, GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.). Look for "Add DNS record" or "Manage DNS" in your provider's dashboard.
Verify the connection
Click Verify in Atribu. The system checks that your DNS record is properly configured and points to the correct target.
Once verified, your tracking snippet automatically uses the custom domain for all data collection.
Domain Connect (automatic setup)
If your DNS provider supports the Domain Connect protocol, Atribu can set up the DNS record for you automatically.
Enter your subdomain
Type your desired subdomain in the tracking settings.
Click "Auto Setup"
Atribu checks if your DNS provider supports Domain Connect. If it does, you will see an "Auto Setup" option.
Authorize the DNS change
You will be redirected to your DNS provider to approve the CNAME record. Once approved, the record is created automatically and verification happens right away.
Domain Connect support
Domain Connect is supported by many major DNS providers including GoDaddy, 1&1 IONOS, and others. If your provider does not support it, use the manual CNAME setup described above.
A harder-to-block address
Some ad blockers block any address named like a tracker, on every website — including atribu-tracker.js and /api/tracking/collect on your own tracking domain. In Settings > Tracking, turn on Harder-to-block tracker address. Atribu gives your profile a random-looking address (for example k3v9x2q7mf0a), and your tracking code then loads from https://track.yourdomain.com/k3v9x2q7mf0a.js and sends events to https://track.yourdomain.com/k3v9x2q7mf0a.
After turning it on, copy your tracking code again and replace the old one. The old address keeps working, so nothing breaks while you update. If blockers start matching the new address, click New address to get another.
Troubleshooting
"DNS not verified" after adding the record
DNS changes can take time to propagate. In most cases it takes 1-5 minutes, but it can take up to 48 hours depending on your DNS provider and TTL settings. Wait a few minutes and click Verify again.
Using Cloudflare
If you use Cloudflare, you have two options:
- DNS Only (gray cloud) -- The CNAME resolves normally. Verification works as expected.
- Proxied (orange cloud) -- Cloudflare flattens the CNAME to an A/AAAA record. Atribu supports this and verifies by checking that the resolved IP addresses match.
Both options work. No special configuration is needed.
Removing a custom domain
Go to Settings > Tracking, find your custom domain, and click Remove. Your tracking snippet will revert to using the default Atribu domain.