Final answer:
The TXT record is used to verify domain ownership in DNS configurations. Its flexibility allows for storage of human-readable data, which is not the primary function of MX, NS, A or AAAA records. TXT records can hold verification strings for setting up various internet services.
Step-by-step explanation:
The DNS Record type commonly used to verify domain ownership is the TXT record. These records are used for various purposes, but one of their most recognizable functions is to hold verification information for domain ownership. When a domain owner needs to prove ownership of their domain, for instance, to set up services like email or to configure single sign-on (SSO) capabilities with third-party services, they often have to add a specific TXT record to their DNS configuration as evidence. This TXT entry will usually contain a randomly generated string provided by the service requesting verification, and it must match exactly what has been provided.
Verification via TXT record is chosen over other types of DNS records like MX, NS, A, or AAAA because TXT records were specifically designed to hold human-readable data with no specific formatting requirements, making them highly versatile. While MX records are associated with email server configurations, NS records with name server information, and A and AAAA records with IP address mappings for a domain, the TXT record's flexibility makes it ideal for a variety of text-based information, including security and verification data.