Blog Excerpts on Squarespace
TL;DR:
- Blog excerpts show a preview of your full post to help readers decide what to read
- They make your blog easier to navigate, especially with longer posts or lots of content
- You can add excerpts when creating new posts or edit existing ones through the blog settings
- Some templates let you pair excerpts with images for better visual appeal
- If excerpts aren't showing up, check your template settings and site styles
Blog excerpts give your readers a taste of what's in your full post before they commit to reading the whole thing. They're particularly useful if you write longer posts or have a busy blog with lots of content.
Adding Excerpts to Your Posts
The process is straightforward whether you're working with new or existing content.
For new posts:
- Go to your blog page in the Pages panel
- Create a new post
- Look for the Options tab while editing
- Fill in the Excerpt field
- Save or publish your post
For existing posts:
- Navigate to your blog page
- Select the post you want to edit
- Find the Excerpt field in the same location
- Add or adjust your excerpt text
Adding Images to Excerpts
You can make your excerpts more visually appealing by including images. This works through featured images or promoted blocks, depending on your template.
Templates like Brine, Aviator, and Skye support images with excerpts, though each has its own customization options. Check your specific template's settings to see what's available.
Fixing Excerpt Display Issues
If your excerpts aren't showing up, here's what to check:
Template settings: Look for excerpt settings in your blog section's style settings. The exact location depends on whether you're using Squarespace 7.1 or 7.0.
Site styles: Some templates have a 'Show Excerpt' toggle buried in the site styles section. Make sure this is switched on.
Page settings: Check the advanced settings of your blog page to ensure excerpts are enabled there too.
Managing Read More Links
You can control whether 'Read More' links appear with your excerpts:
- Go to your blog page's editing menu
- Look for formatting settings
- Toggle the 'Read More' links on or off
- Customize the appearance through Site styles if needed
Keep the styling consistent with your brand. Match the font and color of your 'Read More' links to your site's overall design.
FAQs
How do I enable excerpts if they're not showing up?
Check that excerpts are turned on in both your page settings and site settings. Different templates handle this differently, so you might need to dig around in the style options.
Can I use images with excerpts?
Yes, many templates support featured images or promoted blocks alongside excerpts. The exact options depend on which template you're using.
What if my 'Read More' link doesn't appear?
Check your blog layout settings to make sure these links are enabled. Some templates have specific requirements or limitations.
Jargon Buster
Excerpt: A short preview or summary of a longer blog post designed to give readers a quick overview
Featured Image: The main image representing your blog post, often displayed in post summaries and social media previews
Promoted Blocks: Squarespace elements that highlight important content in a prominent way
Wrap-up
Getting your blog excerpts right makes your site easier to navigate and helps readers find content they actually want to read. Whether you're setting up a new blog or improving an existing one, taking time to write good excerpts and get the display settings right will make a noticeable difference to how people use your site.
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