Squarespace Email Campaigns uses Squarespace's shared sending infrastructure with limited authentication control. For better deliverability, use a third-party ESP and configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC through Squarespace's DNS panel. Squarespace manages DNS for domains registered through them — add TXT records via Settings > Domains > DNS Settings.
Squarespace Email Configuration Guide: Authentication and Deliverability
Squarespace Email Options
Squarespace offers two email paths:
- Squarespace Email Campaigns — built-in email marketing tool
- Third-party ESP — Mailchimp, Klaviyo, etc., with Squarespace handling DNS only
For deliverability, the third-party approach is almost always better. Squarespace Email Campaigns works for basic newsletters to small lists, but lacks the authentication control and monitoring tools serious senders need.
Squarespace Email Campaigns: What You Get
Squarespace's built-in email tool sends through their shared infrastructure. This means:
- SPF/DKIM: Handled by Squarespace automatically. Emails authenticate against Squarespace's domain, not yours.
- Custom authentication: Not available. You can't configure your own DKIM or align SPF to your domain.
- Deliverability monitoring: Minimal. Open rate and click rate only. No inbox placement data, no reputation monitoring.
- Sending limits: Tied to your Squarespace plan. Business plan gets 50,000 emails/month; lower plans get less.
Who it's for: Small businesses sending monthly newsletters to under 5,000 subscribers who don't want to manage a separate ESP.
Who should skip it: Anyone sending frequently, managing a list over 5,000, or caring about deliverability metrics beyond basic open rates.
Practitioner note: Squarespace Email Campaigns uses shared sending infrastructure with no reputation isolation. Your deliverability depends partly on how other Squarespace senders behave. For any business where email drives meaningful revenue, use a dedicated ESP.
Setting Up a Third-Party ESP with Squarespace
This is the recommended approach. Your ESP handles sending; Squarespace manages your domain's DNS.
Adding DNS Records
- Log in to Squarespace
- Go to Settings > Domains
- Click your domain
- Click DNS Settings
- Click Add Record
SPF Record Setup
Add a TXT record:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Host | @ |
| Type | TXT |
| Value | Your SPF record (e.g., v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:sendgrid.net ~all) |
If you already have an SPF record, don't create a second one — modify the existing record to include your new ESP's SPF mechanism.
DKIM Record Setup
Most ESPs provide DKIM as a CNAME record. Add it in Squarespace DNS:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Host | Your DKIM selector (e.g., s1._domainkey) |
| Type | CNAME |
| Value | Provided by your ESP |
Some ESPs require TXT records instead of CNAME. Squarespace supports both.
DMARC Record Setup
Add a TXT record:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Host | _dmarc |
| Type | TXT |
| Value | v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:[email protected] |
Start with p=none to monitor, then advance to p=quarantine and eventually p=reject. See our DMARC setup guide for the full process.
Practitioner note: Squarespace's DNS panel has a quirk — some record types take longer to propagate than others. CNAME records for DKIM can take up to 72 hours. Always verify with
digor an online checker before assuming records are live.
Google Workspace Integration
Many Squarespace users pair their domain with Google Workspace for business email. Setup:
- MX Records: Add Google's 5 MX records via DNS Settings
- SPF: Add
v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~allas a TXT record - DKIM: Generate in Google Admin Console, add CNAME or TXT record in Squarespace
- DMARC: Add TXT record as described above
See our complete Google Workspace authentication guide for details.
Squarespace DNS Limitations
Be aware of these Squarespace DNS constraints:
- No ALIAS/ANAME records — use CNAME for root domain if needed
- TTL is fixed — Squarespace sets TTL automatically; you can't customize it
- Record limits — there's a soft limit on total DNS records (generally sufficient for email)
- Propagation display — Squarespace doesn't show propagation status; use external tools to verify
Recommended Setup for Squarespace Sites
| Use Case | Email Solution | Authentication |
|---|---|---|
| Basic newsletter (<5K) | Squarespace Email Campaigns | Automatic (limited) |
| Growing list (5K-50K) | Mailchimp or Brevo | Full SPF/DKIM/DMARC |
| Ecommerce (any size) | Klaviyo | Full SPF/DKIM/DMARC |
| Business email | Google Workspace | Full SPF/DKIM/DMARC |
Practitioner note: The most common Squarespace email mistake I see is using Squarespace Email Campaigns for the newsletter and Google Workspace for business email without properly combining the SPF records. You end up with two SPF TXT records, which breaks both. Always check for duplicate SPF records after adding a new service.
If you're running into email deliverability issues on Squarespace and need help untangling your DNS or choosing the right ESP, schedule a consultation.
Sources
- Squarespace: Email Campaigns Overview
- Squarespace: Adding DNS Records
- Google: Set Up Google Workspace with Third-Party Domains
- RFC 7489: DMARC Specification
v1.0 · April 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up DKIM for Squarespace Email Campaigns?
Squarespace Email Campaigns handles DKIM signing automatically using their own domain. You can't configure custom DKIM for Squarespace's built-in email tool. For custom DKIM, use a third-party ESP like Mailchimp or Klaviyo.
How do I add SPF records to Squarespace?
Go to Settings > Domains > select your domain > DNS Settings > Add Record. Choose TXT record type, leave the host field as @ or blank, and paste your SPF record in the value field. Save and allow 24-48 hours for propagation.
Should I use Squarespace Email Campaigns or a third-party ESP?
Use a third-party ESP for anything beyond basic newsletter sends. Squarespace Email Campaigns lacks proper authentication control, advanced segmentation, and deliverability monitoring. It's fine for occasional updates to a small list.
Can I use Google Workspace with my Squarespace domain?
Yes. Add Google Workspace MX records, SPF include, and DKIM CNAME through Squarespace DNS Settings. Google provides the specific records during Workspace setup.
Does Squarespace support DMARC?
Squarespace's DNS panel supports adding DMARC TXT records for your domain. Add a TXT record with host _dmarc and your DMARC policy value. This works regardless of which email service you use.
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