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Learn how to set up a custom CDN domain.

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Why set up a custom CDN domain?

By default, BeyondWords serves audio and video files from a BeyondWords CDN domain. Some organizations, however, require media to be delivered from their own domain. Setting up a custom CDN domain allows your media files to be served from a subdomain you control, such as: bw.yourdomain.com This is commonly used when:
  • Security policies require allow-listing
    Some organizations restrict external domains. Serving audio and video from your own subdomain makes it easier to allowlist.
  • Corporate firewalls or network controls are in place
    Internal networks may block unknown CDNs but permit traffic from approved domains.
  • Brand and domain consistency is preferred
    Media assets can appear to come directly from your organization’s domain rather than a third-party domain.
Behind the scenes, the subdomain points to the BeyondWords CDN using DNS records. Once configured, listeners continue to receive the same fast, cached media delivery, but through your domain.

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Set up a custom CDN domain

To use the mediaHost setting, you must first configure a custom domain with BeyondWords. This allows you to serve audio and video from your own domain, which can then be allowlisted by enterprise networks.
1

Choose a subdomain

For example, bw.yourdomain.com.
2

Share the subdomain with BeyondWords

We will configure this domain on our CDN (Azure Front Door).
3

Add a TXT record for verification

We will provide a TXT record to verify that you own the domain.For example:
Type:  TXT
Name:  _dnsauth.bw.yourdomain.com
Value: <provided-by-beyondwords>
Add this to your DNS settings.
4

Add a CNAME record

Once verification is complete, we will provide a CNAME target.Example:
Type:   CNAME
Name:   bw.yourdomain.com
Value:  xyz123.a03.azurefd.net
TTL:    3600
This points your subdomain to BeyondWords infrastructure.
Some DNS providers only require the subdomain part (e.g. bw) rather than the full hostname. Check your provider’s documentation if you are unsure.
5

Wait for DNS propagation

DNS changes can take up to 24–48 hours to propagate, although most updates take effect within a few minutes.
6

SSL is issued automatically

Once DNS is configured and has propagated:
  • The domain is verified
  • An SSL certificate is issued automatically
  • HTTPS becomes available
No additional setup is required on your side.
7

Configure the player

Once your domain is live, pass it into the player:
mediaHost: "bw.yourdomain.com"
Use the hostname only — do not include https://. The player handles the protocol automatically.

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How the custom CDN domain works

Media is normally served from: 
https://cdn.beyondwords.io/audio/abc123.mp3
With a custom CDN domain, the same file is served from your domain: 
https://bw.yourdomain.com/audio/abc123.mp3
This allows enterprise networks to allowlist your domain instead of BeyondWords domains.

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Important notes

  • The custom CDN domain only affects audio and video delivery
  • You may still need to allowlist:
    • proxy.beyondwords.io (player script)
    • api.beyondwords.io (API)
  • Magic Embed does not automatically switch domains—you must use the mediaHost setting