---
permalink: /sites/manual/cname.html
layout: post
title: "How to Mask Your Domain"
tags: how-to activate-search cname 
---

We offer DNS masking, which allows you to show searchers search.YOURSITE.gov (instead of search.USA.gov). Follow these three steps to mask your domain.

1. E-mail us at <search@support.digitalgov.gov> and ask us to mask your domain.
2. Create a CNAME in your DNS records for *search.yoursite.gov*. Point it to *search.usa.gov.edgekey.net*.
3. When the setup is complete, change the [code for your form](/sites/manual/code.html) action from *search.usa.gov* to *search.yoursite.gov*.

---

***Did you know?*** By default, we set up search.YOURSITE.gov (such as search.nih.gov). If this subdomain is already used by another application, you can request YOURSITEsearch.YOURSITE.gov (such as usdasearch.usda.gov) or another pattern.
---
permalink: /sites/manual/cname.html
layout: post
title: "How to Mask Your Domain"
tags: how-to activate-search cname 
---

We offer DNS masking, which allows you to show searchers search.YOURSITE.gov (instead of search.USA.gov). Follow these three steps to mask your domain.

1. E-mail us at <search@support.digitalgov.gov> and ask us to mask your domain.
2. Create a CNAME in your external DNS records for *search.yoursite.gov*. Point it to *search.usa.gov.edgekey.net*. 
3. When the setup is complete, change the [code for your form](/sites/manual/code.html) action from *search.usa.gov* to *search.yoursite.gov*.

---

***Troubleshooting tip:*** Many agencies have both internal and external DNS. Be
sure to update your *external* DNS records (step 2) before changing your form code (step 3).

***Did you know?*** By default, we set up search.YOURSITE.gov (such as search.nih.gov). If this subdomain is already used by another application, you can request YOURSITEsearch.YOURSITE.gov (such as usdasearch.usda.gov) or another pattern.
Clarify external DNS for CNAME
Clarify external DNS for CNAME
