Adding Disqus Comments to Your Squarespace Blog
TL;DR:
- Disqus replaces Squarespace's basic comments with threaded conversations and image support
- Your site needs HTTPS for Disqus to work properly
- Comments only show at the specific URL you configure them for
- Disqus handles all notifications separately from Squarespace's system
- Works on Personal, Business, and Commerce plans
Squarespace's built-in comments do the job, but they're pretty basic. If you want threaded conversations, image comments, or better spam filtering, Disqus is worth considering.
Setting Up Your Disqus Account
First, you need to create what Disqus calls a "shortname" for your site.
Log into your Disqus account and look for the gear icon on your home screen. Click it and select "Add Disqus to Site". Hit "Get Started" and choose "I want to install Disqus on my site".
Enter your website's name here. This becomes your shortname, so keep it simple and memorable. Pick a category from the dropdown that best fits your site.
Click "Create Site" and choose your plan. If you're just testing things out, start with the free option. When it asks for your platform, select Squarespace.
Connecting Disqus to Squarespace
Now you need to tell Squarespace to use Disqus instead of its own comment system.
Head to your Blog settings in Squarespace. You'll see a field for "Disqus Shortname". Enter the shortname you just created and save your changes.
Next, go to your Comments Settings. Make sure "Comments Globally" is switched on and save again.
Here's the bit most people miss: you also need to enable comments on individual blog posts. Disqus won't show up if commenting is disabled on the post level.
Quick check: Preview one of your blog posts to make sure the Disqus comment box appears at the bottom. If it doesn't, double-check your shortname and comment settings.
How Disqus Changes Things
Once Disqus is active, it completely replaces Squarespace's comment system. Visitors will need to log in through Disqus, Facebook, Twitter, or Google to leave comments.
The comment experience is much richer than Squarespace's default setup. People can reply to specific comments, add images, and use formatting. You get better spam protection too.
Just remember that Disqus comments are tied to the exact URL where they're posted. If you change a blog post's URL later, the comments won't follow automatically.
Managing Your New Setup
Disqus runs independently from Squarespace, which means you'll manage everything through your Disqus dashboard. Comment notifications, moderation settings, and appearance tweaks all happen there.
You can customise how the comment box looks to match your site's design. The appearance tools in your Disqus admin panel let you adjust colours, fonts, and layout options.
FAQs
Does Disqus work on all Squarespace plans?
Yes, you can use Disqus with Personal, Business, and Commerce plans. The integration works the same way across all of them.
Can I customise how Disqus looks on my site?
Absolutely. Use the appearance settings in your Disqus admin panel to match your site's colours and fonts. You won't get pixel-perfect control, but you can make it blend in nicely.
Will I still get notifications when people comment?
Disqus handles all notifications through its own system. You won't get Squarespace's usual comment emails anymore, but you can set up Disqus notifications instead.
What happens to my existing Squarespace comments?
They'll disappear once you switch to Disqus. The comments are still in your Squarespace database, but they won't show on your site anymore. If you switch back to Squarespace comments later, they'll reappear.
Jargon Buster
Shortname: Disqus uses this unique identifier to connect comments to your specific site. Think of it as your site's nickname in the Disqus system.
HTTPS: The secure version of web browsing. Modern sites should use this anyway, but Disqus requires it to work properly.
Threaded comments: When someone replies to a specific comment, it appears indented underneath rather than just added to the bottom of the list.
Third-party integration: Since Disqus isn't made by Squarespace, it's considered a third-party service. This means it operates separately from your main site.
Wrap-up
Disqus turns your basic blog comments into something much more engaging. The setup takes about 10 minutes, and the improved comment experience is usually worth the effort.
Just make sure your site uses HTTPS and keep your URLs consistent once you've got comments rolling in. Both Squarespace and Disqus support teams can help if you hit any snags.
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