Domain Privacy on Squarespace Explained
Most domains on Squarespace come with privacy protection built in, but there are some exceptions you should know about. Here's how to manage your domain privacy settings and understand what information stays public.
TL;DR:
- Domain privacy comes free with most Squarespace domains
- Whois databases show domain registration details publicly
- Some domain extensions like .fr and .de don't support privacy protection
- You can toggle privacy settings on and off through your Squarespace dashboard
- Even with privacy on, some details might still show depending on regulations
What is Whois?
Whois is the system that stores and displays information about domain registrations. When someone looks up your domain, they can see details like contact information, registration date, nameservers, and when the domain expires.
This system keeps the internet organised and helps with regulatory compliance, but it also means your personal details can be viewed by anyone unless you have privacy protection.
How Domain Privacy Works
Domain privacy (also called Whois protection) hides your personal contact details from public view. Instead of showing your name, address, and phone number, the Whois database displays generic contact information from a privacy service.
Squarespace includes this protection at no extra cost for eligible domains. Your details get masked automatically when you register a domain through them.
Some information might still appear publicly though. Things like your country, state, or organisation name may show up based on ICANN regulations and specific registry policies.
Check what's actually visible by looking at your domain settings in your Squarespace dashboard. Don't assume everything is hidden.
Which Domains Can't Use Privacy Protection
Not every domain extension supports privacy protection. Country-specific domains (ccTLDs) often have their own rules that prevent privacy services.
Common examples include:
- .fr (France)
- .de (Germany)
- .uk (United Kingdom)
- .ca (Canada)
If you're using one of these extensions, your contact details will likely be public regardless of your privacy settings. Check the specific rules for your domain extension if you're unsure.
Managing Your Privacy Settings
You can turn domain privacy on or off through your Squarespace account:
- Go to your domains dashboard
- Click on the domain you want to modify
- Find the Whois Privacy toggle
- Switch it on or off as needed
After making changes, check how your information appears in the public Whois database. Sometimes updates take a few hours to show up, and registry policies might override your preferences.
Remember that turning off privacy makes your contact details publicly searchable, which can lead to spam and unwanted contact.
FAQs
Is domain privacy available for all domains on Squarespace?
No, certain domain extensions don't support privacy protection due to their registry requirements. This mainly affects country-specific domains.
What happens when I disable domain privacy?
Your contact information becomes publicly visible in Whois searches, subject to what your registrar and local regulations allow.
Where can I check what information is actually public?
Use any Whois lookup tool online or check through your Squarespace dashboard to see what details are currently visible.
Does privacy protection cost extra on Squarespace?
No, Squarespace includes domain privacy at no additional cost for eligible domains.
Jargon Buster
Whois – The public database system that stores domain registration information
Domain Privacy – A service that hides your personal details from public Whois searches
ccTLD – Country Code Top-Level Domain, like .uk or .de, each with specific national rules
Registrar – The company you register your domain through (Squarespace in this case)
TLD – Top-Level Domain, the extension after the dot in your domain name
Wrap-up
Domain privacy on Squarespace is straightforward – it's included free and works automatically for most domains. The main thing to watch out for is whether your specific domain extension supports privacy protection.
If you're using a country-specific domain, your details will likely be public regardless of your settings. For standard domains like .com or .org, privacy protection works well but some details might still appear based on regulations.
Check your actual Whois listing periodically to confirm what information is visible, and adjust your privacy settings through your Squarespace dashboard as needed.
Ready to take control of your domain settings? Join Pixelhaze Academy for step-by-step guidance on managing your Squarespace domains effectively.