Point a Subdomain to Vercel
Pointing a subdomain means publishing one DNS record that tells browsers where a named address should go. For example, portfolio.aiclub.ai.id can point to a Vercel deployment while a different subdomain points to a VPS. The key is matching the record type to the destination your platform documents.
What do you need before adding a record?
First deploy the site on its hosting platform. Then open the platform’s custom-domain settings and copy its recommended DNS value. Do not guess a CNAME target from another project: providers can use different validation names or update their instructions. Finally, decide the subdomain name you want visitors to use.
How do you point a subdomain to Vercel?
- Deploy the project and add the intended subdomain in Vercel’s domain settings.
- Copy the exact CNAME target Vercel shows for that project.
- In AICLUB, claim the name with the CNAME routing type and paste that target.
- Return to Vercel and wait for its domain verification before testing HTTPS.
Which record should each platform use?
| Destination | Record | What to enter |
|---|---|---|
| Vercel | CNAME | Target shown by Vercel |
| Netlify | CNAME | Target shown by Netlify |
| Cloudflare Pages | CNAME | your-project.pages.dev |
| VPS / own server | A | Public IPv4 address |
CNAME or A record: what is the difference?
A CNAME names another hostname, so it suits platforms that manage their own destination infrastructure. An A record is a numeric public IPv4 address, so it suits a VPS or server you administer. Never put a URL, slash, or page path into either field: a DNS record needs only the target host name or IP address.
Read Vercel’s official domain guide.
What problems are common after DNS is added?
- The CNAME target does not exactly match the value provided by the host.
- The platform domain was not added or verified in the hosting dashboard.
- A record was used for a host that requires a CNAME.
- A resolver is still using a cached DNS response.
Check the DNS target first, then check the platform’s domain status. Propagation can differ between networks, so test after the provider says verification is complete. For a general explanation of record behavior, see Cloudflare’s official DNS record documentation.
Read the Cloudflare DNS record reference.
Frequently asked questions
Which record points a subdomain to Vercel?
Use the exact CNAME target shown in the Vercel project’s domain settings.
When should I use an A record?
Use it when the destination is a public IPv4 address, usually a VPS or server you manage.
Why is it not live immediately?
Check the target and platform verification, then allow resolver caches time to update.
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