What is the result of using shorter TTL values for DNS records?

Using shorter Time to Live (TTL) values for DNS records allows for faster updates of the DNS data. TTL is the duration that DNS records are cached by resolvers. When a DNS record has a shorter TTL, it means that the cached information is considered stale quicker, prompting DNS resolvers to query the authoritative DNS server more frequently for updated information.

This approach is particularly useful during periods of change, such as migrating services or changing IP addresses, as it ensures that users receive the most current data. However, the trade-off for this flexibility is that it can lead to an increased query volume to the DNS servers, as resolvers will need to ask for the updated records more often. Hence, while it improves the responsiveness of DNS updates, it can also heighten the load on DNS infrastructure due to the higher rate of queries.

In contrast, longer TTL values reduce the frequency of DNS queries by caching records for a longer time, which can improve performance and reduce load, but at the cost of delayed updates.