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Short answer: A domain is verified when ShortPen can read the DNS records it expects for your domain/subdomain. In the Domains page, you’ll see one of three states: Pending, Active, or Invalid, and you can click Check status to re-run the verification once your DNS changes have propagated. Verification can take time (up to ~24h, depending on your DNS provider).
New to domains in ShortPen? See: How custom domains work in ShortPen

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What the verification states mean

  • Pending. ShortPen is still waiting to detect the required DNS records for your domain. This is normal immediately after you add a domain or update DNS. Propagation may take up to 24 hours with some providers.
  • Active. The records have been found and validated. You can use this domain for your URLs.
  • Invalid. ShortPen attempted verification but found missing or conflicting records (e.g., an A/AAAA record where a CNAME is required). Fix DNS and rerun the status check.

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How verification works

ShortPen checks that your DNS points your subdomain to ShortPen via the records it shows in the configuration. If those records resolve publicly, the status becomes Active. If not, it stays Pending or becomes Invalid until the public DNS matches.
DNS is like the internet’s address book. After you change it, every provider worldwide needs time to update their copy. This delay is “propagation.”

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Run a manual verification (“Check status”)

  1. Go to Settings → Domains in ShortPen.
  2. Find your domain and click the gear icon to open the DNS configuration panel.
  3. Press Check status. ShortPen re-reads your DNS and updates the state (Active/Pending/Invalid).
If you just changed DNS, give it time before clicking Check status repeatedly. Propagation can take up to ~24h in some cases.

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Expected propagation times

  • Most providers: usually instant or within some minutes, sometimes longer.
  • In some cases: up to 24 hours before verification can succeed.

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Common reasons a domain won’t verify (and fixes)

Make sure there are no A/AAAA records on the same host that should be a CNAME. Keep only the records ShortPen lists for your domain. Then try Check status again.
If you manage DNS with Cloudflare, disable Proxy (set it to DNS-only) and set SSL/TLS to “Full.” Proxied DNS can hide the real record from verification.
DNS changes haven’t propagated yet. Wait (up to ~24h) and re-check.