Connect a domain at Squarespace

Add the DNS record HYDLNK shows at Squarespace, with the exact menus and fields, and what to check if it doesn’t verify.

Guide 7 of 10 · 5 min read

This is for a domain registered with Squarespace Domains, including domains that moved over from Google Domains. First add your domain in the HYDLNK editor under Domains and keep that screen open. It shows the record to add.

Check that your DNS is managed here

Open the domains dashboard and select your domain.
Choose DNS, then Domain Nameservers.
Squarespace’s own nameservers end in .googledomains.com, .nsone.net, .squarespacedns.com or .systemdns.com. If yours are custom nameservers, the records on this screen don’t apply. Add them at the company the nameservers belong to.

Subdomain: add the CNAME

Use this for links.yourbrand.com, so your website keeps working.

In the domains dashboard, select the domain, then DNS, then DNS Settings.
Under Custom Records, select Add record. Squarespace asks for your password or a 2FA code.
Set Type to CNAME.
In Name, enter links.
In Data, paste the target HYDLNK shows.
Custom records default to a 4 hour TTL. You can lower it if you expect to change the record. Save the record.

Don’t use the dashboard’s hosting presets. Enter the record HYDLNK shows.

The value is the one HYDLNK shows on the Domains screen of the editor. Copy it from there; never type it from memory or from another guide.

Root domain: add the A record

Use this for yourbrand.com itself.

Delete the Squarespace Defaults first. Under DNS Settings, use the red trash can on the Squarespace Defaults. A domain can’t point anywhere else while they exist.
Under Custom Records, select Add record.
Set Type to A and Name to @.
In the IP Address field, paste the address HYDLNK shows, then save.

The value is the one HYDLNK shows on the Domains screen of the editor. Copy it from there; never type it from memory or from another guide.

Common problems at Squarespace

A record conflict message. Squarespace offers Replace record. Use it if the old record is one you no longer need.
A forwarding rule is in the way. Remove a conflicting rule under Manage rules.
Your records seem ignored. Check Domain Nameservers again. With custom nameservers, Squarespace’s records don’t apply.
An AAAA record on the same name. Remove it. If a name has an AAAA record, some visitors are sent there instead of to your page.
A CNAME that shares its name with another record. A CNAME can’t sit next to any other record on the same name. Delete the others first, or use a different subdomain.
A CAA record that doesn’t allow us. If your domain has a CAA record, it must allow letsencrypt.org, or https won’t start. If you have no CAA records, you don’t need to add one.

How long it takes, then check in HYDLNK

Squarespace says changes can take 24 to 48 hours, though many appear sooner.

Then open Domains in the HYDLNK editor. The screen looks again on its own, and Check DNS now looks straight away. When it says Verified, https starts on its own, usually within a few minutes, and your page loads at your domain. There is nothing else to turn on.

If it still says Waiting for DNS after the time above, read If it doesn’t verify in the main guide.

Checked October 2026. Dashboards change; if a menu is named differently when you look, the field names above still apply.