Integrate Squarespace Blog with Apple News
TL;DR:
- Expand your blog's reach by publishing on Apple News via Squarespace
- You need an existing Apple News account to set this up
- Cross-publishing is currently supported in the US, UK, and Australia
- Connect your blog using API keys from Apple News Publisher
- Your posts sync automatically once approved by Apple
Getting your Squarespace blog connected to Apple News puts your content in front of millions of iOS users. Here's how to set it up properly.
Requirements
Before you start, make sure you have:
- An iOS device running iOS 9 or later
- A Squarespace blog (works on version 7.1 and 7.0)
- An Apple News account
Setting Up Your Apple News Account
First, you'll need access to Apple's publishing tools. Head to iCloud's official site and create a free Apple iCloud account if you don't have one already.
Once that's sorted, log in to Apple News Publisher using your Apple News account details. This is where you'll grab the connection details for Squarespace.
Apple will give you three pieces of information:
- Secret Code
- Channel ID
- Key ID
Write these down somewhere safe. The Secret Code only appears once, so you can't retrieve it later if you lose it.
Connecting Your Squarespace Blog
In your Squarespace admin, go to Pages and find your blog. Click the settings gear next to your blog title, then head to the Feeds tab.
You'll see fields for the Apple News integration. Paste in:
- Secret Code
- Channel ID
- Key ID
Hit save, and Squarespace will start talking to Apple News.
Previewing Your Content
Apple News Publisher has a preview feature that shows how your posts will look on mobile devices. This is worth checking before your content goes live, especially since Apple News strips out custom fonts, colours, and some content blocks to fit their interface.
Your carefully crafted layouts won't survive the transition, but your content will be readable and properly formatted for the News app.
Getting Approved
Apple needs to approve your initial posts before they appear in the News app. Submit a few posts for review through the Apple News Publisher dashboard. You'll get an email when they're approved.
This approval process only happens once. After that, new blog posts sync automatically from Squarespace to Apple News.
Managing Your Content
Once you're approved, all new blog posts will appear in Apple News without any extra steps. Updates to existing posts sync too, though they can take a few hours to show up.
Add your Apple News channel to the News app on your iOS device so you can see how your content looks to readers. This also makes it easier to spot any formatting issues.
If posts aren't syncing or updates aren't appearing after several hours, check your settings first, then contact Apple News support if the problem persists.
Multiple Blogs
You can connect multiple Squarespace blogs to the same Apple News channel. Just use the same Secret Code, Channel ID, and Key ID in each blog's settings.
FAQs
Can I add multiple Squarespace blogs to my Apple News channel?
Yes, multiple blogs can be linked to the same Apple News channel by using the same codes in each blog's settings.
What should I do if my updates aren't showing on Apple News?
Updates can take a few hours to appear. If the delay continues, check your settings or contact Apple News support.
Are there limits on how my content appears on Apple News?
Yes, formatting like fonts, colours, and certain content blocks won't display as they do on your site. Apple News modifies layouts to fit its interface.
Jargon Buster
API Key: A set of codes Squarespace uses to connect with Apple News securely.
Channel ID: A unique identifier for your specific Apple News channel.
Secret Code: A security code used once to verify your Squarespace integration with Apple News.
Wrap-up
Connecting your Squarespace blog to Apple News puts your content alongside major publishers on one of the most popular news platforms for iOS users. The setup takes a bit of work upfront, but once it's done, your posts sync automatically.
Keep your API keys somewhere safe and check the Apple News Publisher dashboard occasionally to make sure everything's working smoothly. Your content formatting will change to match Apple's style, but your audience reach will expand significantly.
Ready to grow your blog's audience? Join Pixelhaze Academy for more advanced Squarespace strategies.