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DNS propagation

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DNS propagation

The period while caches converge after authoritative DNS changes.

Reading time:: 5 min
Difficulty:: Intermediate
Estimated duration:: 5 min
Prerequisites:: TTL
Last updated:: 2026-07-15
Author:: empire

Definition

Propagation is the observable delay while resolvers expire prior cached answers after a change.

Prerequisites

TTLTime to live — how long resolvers may cache a DNS answer.

TTLTime to live — how long resolvers may cache a DNS answer.
DNSDomain Name System — the lookup fabric email authentication depends on.

PreviousTTL NextAuthoritative name server

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