Step-by-Step Guide: Configure GoDaddy DNS for Blogger and GitHub Pages with www Redirect

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Step-by-step guide to configure GoDaddy DNS to direct traffic between Blogger and GitHub Pages. Ensure proper redirection for www and non-www access.

 GoDaddy DNS, Blogger, GitHub Pages, www redirect, DNS configuration, step-by-step guide, website redirection, Google AdSense policies



 

How to Configure GoDaddy DNS to Redirect Traffic Between Blogger and GitHub Pages

Want to use your domain for both a blog on Blogger and a site hosted on GitHub Pages? Learn how to configure GoDaddy DNS so that users accessing your domain with www will be redirected to your Blogger blog, and those accessing without www will see your GitHub Pages site. This guide also ensures that your setup adheres to Google and AdSense policies.



Introduction

Owning both a blog and a GitHub Pages website under the same domain can be a powerful combination. Whether you want to separate your content, or you're looking to keep a developer portfolio on GitHub Pages and a blog on Blogger, this tutorial will show you the best way to configure your DNS in GoDaddy to make this work seamlessly. By the end, your users will get redirected based on whether they access the site with or without the www prefix.

Step-by-Step Configuration in GoDaddy

Step 1: Configure Blogger for www Access

  1. Log into GoDaddy: Head over to GoDaddy and log in to your account. Navigate to the My Products section and click on Domains.

  2. Manage DNS: Choose the domain you wish to configure and click Manage DNS.

  3. Set up a CNAME for www:

    • Click on "Add" to add a new DNS record and select CNAME.
    • In the Name field, type www.
    • In the Value/Destination field, enter ghs.googlehosted.com, which is the Blogger's destination for custom domains.
    • Save the changes.

  4. Configure in Blogger:

    • Go to your Blogger account, click on Settings, and scroll down to the Custom Domain section.
    • Enter your domain with www (e.g., www.yourdomain.com).
    • Blogger will ask you to set up a CNAME, which you've already done, but double-check the provided values to ensure accuracy.

Step 2: Configure GitHub Pages for Non-www Access

  1. Add an A record for GitHub Pages:

    • Back in GoDaddy’s DNS settings, add a new A Record.
    • In the Name field, enter @ (which refers to the root domain, e.g., yourdomain.com).
    • In the Value/IP Address field, enter one of the GitHub Pages IP addresses: 185.199.108.153
    •  185.199.109.153
    •  185.199.110.153
    •  185.199.111.153 
    • You may add multiple A records for redundancy
    • Save the changes

  1. Configure GitHub Pages:

    • Go to your GitHub repository where your site is hosted, click on Settings, then scroll down to the Pages section.
    • Under the Custom Domain field, enter your domain without the www (e.g., yourdomain.com).
    • Once added, GitHub will automatically create a CNAME file in your repository that links to your custom domain.

Extra Tips & Best Practices

To ensure everything runs smoothly, keep the following best practices in mind:

  • Use SSL Certificates: Make sure both Blogger and GitHub Pages are configured to support HTTPS. This not only secures your site but also ensures better rankings and trustworthiness with your visitors. Both platforms offer free SSL certificates, so activate them in their respective settings.
  • Monitor DNS Propagation: DNS changes can take some time to propagate. Use tools like WhatsMyDNS to track the progress of your DNS records globally.
  • Content Strategy: Ensure that the content on Blogger and GitHub Pages are distinct. Having the same content on both platforms can harm your SEO. Use Blogger for blogs or articles, and GitHub Pages for static websites, portfolios, or developer-related content.

Does This Setup Violate Google or AdSense Policies?

No, this configuration does not directly violate any Google or Google AdSense policies as long as you follow a few key guidelines:

Google AdSense Guidelines

  • Original Content: Ensure both your Blogger and GitHub Pages sites provide original content. AdSense doesn’t allow duplicate or mirrored content across multiple sites.
  • AdSense Compatibility: Blogger natively supports AdSense, allowing you to place ads easily. However, GitHub Pages does not support AdSense out of the box, which means you may not be able to monetize the GitHub Pages site through AdSense.

Google/Blogger Rules

  • Clear Redirection: Make sure your domain's redirection between www (Blogger) and non-www (GitHub Pages) is transparent to users and logical. Confusing navigation may lead to a poor user experience.
  • Subdomain Usage: Google allows the use of subdomains like www for one purpose (e.g., Blogger) and root domains for another (e.g., GitHub Pages). This practice is common and permitted, as long as the user experience is seamless.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you’ll be able to manage both your Blogger blog and GitHub Pages site under the same domain without conflicts. Using GoDaddy’s DNS settings, you can seamlessly redirect traffic based on whether users enter your domain with or without the www prefix. With proper configuration, you’ll also comply with Google and AdSense policies.

Are you ready to start? Visit GoDaddy now and configure your domain to take full advantage of Blogger and GitHub Pages!

Tags: Blogger, Tips
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