Custom Domains
A domain humans trust and AI can cite
Add a single CNAME record and your documentation site moves to your own domain. Your own domain is a stronger, more trusted signal for both readers and AI answer engines, and a clean, canonical URL they can point to when they cite you. SSL is provisioned and renewed automatically. No server configuration.
Get Started FreeCustom Domain
Use your own domain for your documentation site.
Add this CNAME record to your DNS provider:
| Type | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
| CNAME | docs | cname.docsio.co |
Key Capabilities
Everything that comes with custom domains
A canonical URL AI can cite
Use any domain you own, a subdomain like docs.yourcompany.com or a dedicated documentation domain. Docsio routes all traffic to your project automatically and serves it from one clean, canonical URL: the address answer engines link to when they cite your docs.
Automatic SSL provisioning
Once you add a CNAME record, Docsio provisions an SSL certificate for your custom domain within minutes. Your readers always get a secure connection.
Simple DNS setup, just one CNAME
We give you a single CNAME target to add to your DNS provider. No A records, no complex configuration, no waiting on support. Most setups complete in under two minutes.
Automatic certificate renewal
SSL certificates are renewed automatically before they expire. You will never need to manually renew or rotate certificates. It just works.
FAQ
Custom domains: common questions
How do I set up a custom domain for my documentation site?
Add the domain in your project settings, then create a single CNAME record at your DNS provider pointing to cname.docsio.co. Docsio detects the record and provisions an SSL certificate within minutes. Most setups complete in under two minutes. There are no A records to configure and no servers to manage.
Are custom domains free on Docsio?
Yes. Custom domains are included on every plan, including the free tier, with automatic SSL provisioning and renewal at no extra cost. Many competitors gate custom domains behind a paid plan, but Docsio treats them as standard infrastructure that every project deserves.
Does a custom domain help my docs get found in AI search?
It helps. A domain you own is a stronger, more trusted signal than a shared subdomain, for both readers and the AI answer engines (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews) that crawl and cite documentation. It also gives every page one clean, canonical URL, so when an answer engine references your docs it points to a stable address on your own brand rather than a third-party one. Docsio can't promise rankings, but a canonical branded domain is table stakes for being cited.
Can I use an apex domain like docs.com or a subdomain like docs.acme.com?
Subdomains such as docs.yourcompany.com are the recommended setup and work through a standard CNAME record. Apex domains are also supported using ALIAS or ANAME records at DNS providers that support them. Most teams use a docs subdomain because it keeps configuration simple and isolates documentation traffic.
Does Docsio handle SSL certificates automatically?
Yes, every custom domain gets HTTPS with no manual setup. Docsio provisions the SSL certificate as soon as your CNAME resolves, then renews it automatically before expiration. You will never need to touch a certificate file, run a renewal command, or pay a separate certificate authority.
What happens if I do not connect a custom domain?
Your site is still live on a free yourproject.docs.docsio.co subdomain with SSL included. You can launch on the subdomain on day one and add a custom domain whenever you are ready. Switching does not change any of your content, settings, or URLs inside the site.
How long does DNS propagation take after adding the CNAME?
Most DNS providers propagate the record in under five minutes, though the spec allows up to 48 hours. Docsio polls your DNS continuously and flips the domain to Active automatically once the CNAME resolves. The SSL certificate is then issued within a few more minutes.
Make your docs feel native to your brand
One CNAME record is all it takes. Your docs move to your domain with SSL, automatically, in minutes.
Get Started FreeFree foreverNo credit card2-minute DNS setup