What is DNS propagation, and does it take up to 72 hours?
After correctly setting your CNAME record and clicking "launch," your page may take up to 72 hours to go live.
This delay is due to a process called DNS propagation, which must be completed before your page becomes visible on the internet. DNS propagation occurs within the networks of Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and the time it takes can vary. Since this process is managed by ISPs, Launchrock has no control over the speed of propagation.
What is DNS?
DNS stands for Domain Name System. When you purchase a domain name from a domain registrar, they create a master DNS record on their servers, designating them as the initial authority for your domain. The registrar then directs traffic to your web host's DNS server, which becomes the authoritative source for your domain's records.
When an external computer attempts to access your website, it first queries the domain registration database to determine which DNS server holds the authoritative records. It then contacts your DNS provider's servers to retrieve the corresponding IP address for your domain name. Once the IP address is identified, the request is forwarded to your web host’s server, where your website is hosted. If you are using LaunchRock for hosting, this is the point at which visitors are redirected to your LaunchRock page.
What is DNS propagation?
To enhance browsing speed for their users, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) store copies of DNS records in a process known as DNS propagation.
Caching allows ISPs to retrieve and display websites from locally stored records instead of performing a new lookup on the internet every time a user visits a site. This process functions similarly to how web browsers cache webpages to reduce load times and improve performance.
DNS propagation ultimately helps optimize web browsing by:
Reducing the time it takes for a browser to request and receive domain lookup information.
Decreasing internet traffic, which enhances overall network efficiency and speed.
Why does propagation take so long?
The delay in making your LaunchRock (or any website) visible to everyone after launch is due to how Internet Service Providers (ISPs) update and cache DNS records. Each ISP follows its own automated schedule for refreshing these records, which can take anywhere from a few hours to up to 72 hours. Until their cache is updated, your newly launched website may not be accessible to all users. Since there is no universal standard for this process, propagation times can vary depending on the ISP. There is nothing that you, LaunchRock, or anyone else can do to reduce DNS propagation time. It is simply a case of waiting for this automated process to complete.