Setting a custom domain as primary helps establish your brand's online presence. This guide explains how to manage and set a primary domain on your site.

What Is a Primary Domain?

• The main web address for your site
• All other custom domains redirect to this address
• Appears in the browser's address bar regardless of which domain visitors use

Checking Your Primary Domain

1. Open the Domains panel
2. Look for the "Primary" label next to a domain

Important Prerequisites

• For Squarespace domains: Verify ownership first
• For third-party domains: Ensure proper connection (may take up to 72 hours)
• Only one domain can be primary at a time
• Applies to all pages on your site

Setting a New Primary Domain

1. Open the Domains panel
2. Click "..." next to your chosen domain
3. Select "Set as primary domain"
4. Confirm by clicking "Set"

Key Facts About Domain Management

• First custom domain automatically becomes primary
• Built-in .squarespace.com domains can't be primary
• Secondary domains use 301 redirects to primary
• Only primary domain appears in search engines
• Analytics combine traffic from all active domains

Common Questions

Built-in Domain Visibility:

• Hidden from visitors when using custom domain
• Visible when logged in for security purposes

Subdomain Management:

• Third-party subdomains can be primary
• Squarespace-hosted subdomains cannot be primary

Search Engine Considerations:

• Use Google Search Console to specify preferred domain
• Request reindex if built-in domain appears in search results

Domain Changes:

• No need to remove previous primary status
• Setting new primary automatically updates system

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