# How do you add email DNS records in Squarespace?

URL: https://iblockspam.com/blog/add-email-dns-records-squarespace
Last updated: 2026-10-22
Published: 2026-10-22
Topic: Setup guides
Author: iBlockSpam Team

> How to add MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC records in Squarespace Domains: Custom Records, presets, how SPF records merge, and which defaults Squarespace removes.

## Short answer

In Squarespace, open the Domains dashboard, select your domain, then DNS > DNS Settings. Use Add preset for a listed email provider, or Custom Records > Add record for your own MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC records. Enter @ for the root or a prefix such as _dmarc (Squarespace adds the domain), then Save.

Squarespace Domains handles email DNS differently from most hosts. It merges separate SPF records into one for you, it publishes its own email authentication records until you add custom ones, and it offers ready-made presets for several email providers. Knowing those behaviors saves a lot of confusion when you set up Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 or a filtering service.

This guide covers adding MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC records in Squarespace, using Squarespace's own help articles for each step. Screen names are correct at the time of writing (October 2026). If you need a refresher on the records themselves, read [SPF vs DKIM vs DMARC](https://iblockspam.com/blog/spf-vs-dkim-vs-dmarc).

## Are your DNS records actually at Squarespace?

You can edit DNS in Squarespace only for domains "registered through Squarespace or connected through Nameserver Connect" ([Squarespace](https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002101888)). Squarespace explains the two ways a domain can connect ([Squarespace](https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/8387079117581-Nameserver-connect-vs-DNS-connect)):

| How the domain connects | Where DNS records live | Where to add email records |
|---|---|---|
| Registered with Squarespace | Squarespace | Squarespace DNS Settings |
| Nameserver connect | Squarespace | Squarespace DNS Settings |
| DNS connect (registered elsewhere) | Your domain provider | Your domain provider |
| Custom nameservers (e.g. Cloudflare) | That DNS host | That DNS host |

With custom nameservers, Squarespace warns that "any records you add in Squarespace's DNS settings panel won't apply to your domain" ([Squarespace](https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/31110082258573)). Our [MX Lookup](https://iblockspam.com/tools/mx-lookup) shows the live nameservers. If they're Cloudflare's, use our [Cloudflare guide](https://iblockspam.com/blog/add-dmarc-spf-dkim-records-cloudflare).

If your domain came from Google Domains, Squarespace says "Squarespace is your new domain host" and that you now manage the domain, including its DNS settings, in your Squarespace account ([Squarespace](https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/17131164996365-About-the-Google-Domains-migration-to-Squarespace)). Check your existing email records in Squarespace's DNS Settings before you change anything.

## Where do you add DNS records in Squarespace?

From Squarespace's [email records article](https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/31120985010957-Add-DNS-records-for-email):

1. Open the **Domains** dashboard and select your domain.
2. Select **DNS**, then **DNS Settings**.
3. For a listed email provider, select **Add preset**. For your own records, scroll to **Custom Records** and select **Add record**.
4. Fill in the fields and select **Save**.
5. Re-enter your password, or your two-step code if it's on, and select **Continue**.

The fields:

| Field | What to enter | Squarespace behavior |
|---|---|---|
| **Type** | MX, TXT or CNAME | |
| **Name** | `@` for the root, or only the prefix, such as `_dmarc` | "Leave your domain off the end. We add it for you." |
| **Priority** | MX only, 0 to 255 | Lower numbers are tried first |
| **TTL** | Leave the default | "All custom records have a 4-hour TTL by default" |
| **Data** (also **Text** or **Mail Server**) | The value your provider gives | A trailing period causes an "Enter valid data" error |

Note the trailing period. Many providers show hostnames ending in a dot, such as `smtp.google.com.`. Squarespace says "our system can't save records formatted this way," so delete the final dot before saving.

## Should you use an email preset?

A preset is a ready-made set of records for one provider. Squarespace offers presets for Fastmail, Google Workspace, iCloud, Neo, Proton Mail, Titan Email and Zoho Mail ([Squarespace](https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/205812348-Add-a-third-party-email-preset)). Select **Add preset** at the top right of DNS Settings, choose the provider, reauthenticate, and select **Add**.

Presets save typing, but they have limits: "You can't edit preset records, but you can delete them with the trash can icon." If your provider isn't listed, or you need to change a value, use custom records. A filtering service, Microsoft 365 and any sending platform always need custom records.

### Which records does Squarespace add and remove by itself?

"When you register your domain or connect it via nameservers, we automatically apply three TXT records (DKIM, SPF, and DMARC)," and "The records are automatically removed when you add any custom email records." So when you start adding your provider's records, Squarespace's own SPF, DKIM and DMARC records go away. Add all three of your own, or you'll be left without SPF or DMARC.

## How do you add an SPF record in Squarespace?

SPF is a TXT record that lists the servers allowed to send as your domain. A domain may publish only one; [RFC 7208, section 3.2](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7208.html#section-3.2) says it "MUST NOT have multiple records." Squarespace handles that differently from other hosts: "Add each SPF record as its own custom record. They merge into one."

1. In **Custom Records**, select **Add record** and choose **TXT**.
2. Enter `@` as **Name**, unless your provider gives another name.
3. Paste the SPF value into **Text**, without your own quotation marks. Squarespace warns that "Quotation marks in the Data or Text field can stop an SPF record working."
4. Select **Save**. For a second sender, add another SPF record the same way.
5. Refresh the page and check the merged record.

Example (example values): adding `v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all` and `v=spf1 include:mail.zendesk.com -all` as two records should leave one published record covering both. Always confirm the result with our [SPF Checker](https://iblockspam.com/tools/spf-checker), which also counts lookups against the limit of 10. If saving fails with "Custom records not saved," Squarespace says to "delete your current SPF records in DNS settings, then add the new ones." Our [SPF provider pages](https://iblockspam.com/spf) list each provider's include.

## How do you add a DKIM record in Squarespace?

DKIM publishes the public key receivers use to check the signature on your mail. Your provider generates it.

1. In **Custom Records**, select **Add record**.
2. Choose **TXT** if your provider gives a key starting `v=DKIM1;`, or **CNAME** if it gives a hostname target (Microsoft 365 does).
3. Enter the host without your domain, such as `google._domainkey` or `selector1._domainkey`.
4. Paste the key or target into **Data**, with no trailing period and no line breaks.
5. Select **Save**.

Long keys should be fine here. Squarespace's email article says "You can add SPF and DKIM records up to 2048 bits," so you usually don't need to split them, while "Other TXT records have a smaller limit of 255 characters." Its [troubleshooting article](https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/31110082258573) still says TXT records have a 255-character limit and gives "Enter valid data" as the error for a longer record. If you see that error, split the key into strings under 255 characters, as our [2048-bit DKIM key guide](https://iblockspam.com/blog/dkim-2048-bit-key-txt-record-too-long) shows.

Squarespace won't save a CNAME and a TXT record with the same name ("This name record is already in use"), so delete an old TXT key before replacing it with a CNAME at the same selector. Then turn on signing at your provider, as shown in [DKIM setup for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace](https://iblockspam.com/blog/dkim-setup-microsoft-365-google-workspace).

## How do you add a DMARC record in Squarespace?

DMARC is a TXT record at `_dmarc` that tells receivers how to treat mail failing authentication. "You can only have one DMARC record on a Squarespace domain."

1. In **Custom Records**, select **Add record** and choose **TXT**.
2. Enter `_dmarc` as **Name**.
3. Enter your policy, for example `v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc-reports@example.com`.
4. Select **Save**.

If a DMARC record exists, for example one Squarespace added when you created an email forwarding rule, edit it rather than adding another. Start at `p=none`, read the reports, then tighten. The [DMARC Record Generator](https://iblockspam.com/tools/dmarc-generator) builds the record and our [none-to-reject guide](https://iblockspam.com/blog/dmarc-none-to-reject-small-business) covers the rollout.

## How do you add MX records in Squarespace?

MX records tell other servers where to deliver your domain's mail. Squarespace's email article has you add each one separately:

1. In **DNS Settings**, select **Add record** and choose **MX**.
2. Enter `@` as **Name**.
3. Enter the **Priority**, any number from 0 to 255, as your provider specifies.
4. Enter the mail server hostname as **Mail Server**, without a trailing period.
5. Select **Save**, then add any further MX hosts.
6. Delete MX records for a provider you're leaving.

Example for Google Workspace (example value): priority `1`, mail server `smtp.google.com`. For Microsoft 365, use the MX value the Microsoft 365 admin center shows for your domain.

One warning from Squarespace: if you sign in to Squarespace with an email address on this domain, change your account email before deleting MX records, so you don't lose access to account messages. For the wider plan, read [how to change MX records without losing email](https://iblockspam.com/blog/change-mx-records-without-losing-email).

## How do you check the records after saving?

Squarespace says "it can take up to 48 hours to work." In practice, check after a few hours:

1. **MX** with our [MX Lookup](https://iblockspam.com/tools/mx-lookup).
2. **SPF** with the [SPF Checker](https://iblockspam.com/tools/spf-checker): one merged record that includes every sender.
3. **DKIM** with the [DKIM Checker](https://iblockspam.com/tools/dkim-checker) and your selector.
4. **DMARC** with the [DMARC Checker](https://iblockspam.com/tools/dmarc-checker).
5. Send a test message to an outside mailbox and look for `spf=pass`, `dkim=pass` and `dmarc=pass` in the headers, using our [header guide](https://iblockspam.com/blog/how-to-read-email-headers).

## What are the common Squarespace email DNS mistakes?

- **Trailing periods** on hostnames, which won't save.
- **Quotation marks** pasted into an SPF value.
- **Editing DNS in Squarespace** for a domain on DNS connect or custom nameservers.
- **Adding only one custom record** and losing Squarespace's default SPF and DMARC with nothing to replace them.
- **Trying to edit a preset record** instead of deleting it and adding a custom one.
- **A second DMARC record** where Squarespace allows only one.

## Next steps

1. Run the [Email Health Check](https://iblockspam.com/tools/email-health-check) to see MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC together.
2. Build your records with the [SPF Record Generator](https://iblockspam.com/tools/spf-generator) and the [DMARC Record Generator](https://iblockspam.com/tools/dmarc-generator), then add them as custom records.
3. Check DKIM with the [DKIM Checker](https://iblockspam.com/tools/dkim-checker) after you turn signing on.
4. Want an email when those records change? [Free Domain Watch](https://iblockspam.com/free-monitoring) checks your public MX, SPF and DMARC weekly at no cost.

If you later point MX at a filtering service such as iBlockSpam, you add its MX records as custom records the same way. More walk-throughs are in [setup guides](https://iblockspam.com/blog/topic/setup).

## Frequently asked questions

### Why did my Squarespace default email records disappear?

Squarespace automatically applies DKIM, SPF and DMARC TXT records when you register or connect a domain by nameservers, and says those records are removed when you add any custom email records. That is expected. Your own provider's SPF, DKIM and DMARC records replace them, so make sure you add all three.

### Do I combine SPF includes into one record in Squarespace?

No, not by hand. Squarespace says to add each SPF record as its own custom record and that they merge into one. Refresh the DNS Settings page to see the merged record. If you get a Custom records not saved error, Squarespace says to delete your current SPF records and add the new ones again.

### Where do I edit DNS for a domain connected to Squarespace?

It depends on how the domain is connected. With nameserver connect, the DNS records are stored at Squarespace and you edit them there. With DNS connect, the records stay at your third-party domain provider, and Squarespace says to log in there to edit them. Records added in Squarespace for such a domain have no effect.

### Do former Google Domains customers manage DNS in Squarespace now?

Yes. Squarespace says that if you had a Google Domain, Squarespace is your new domain host. You manage the domain and its DNS settings in your Squarespace account. Check your existing email records under DNS Settings, where you can edit them like any other Squarespace domain.

### Why won't Squarespace save my DNS record?

Common causes are a trailing period at the end of a value, which gives an Enter valid data error, a CNAME and TXT record sharing the same name (This name record is already in use), and a CNAME on @, which Squarespace doesn't allow. Remove the trailing dot or choose a different name and save again.

## Sources

- [Squarespace Help: Add DNS records for email](https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/31120985010957-Add-DNS-records-for-email)
- [Squarespace Help: Edit your domain's DNS records](https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002101888)
- [Squarespace Help: Add a third-party email preset](https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/205812348-Add-a-third-party-email-preset)
- [Squarespace Help: Nameserver connect vs DNS connect](https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/8387079117581-Nameserver-connect-vs-DNS-connect)
- [Squarespace Help: Troubleshooting DNS records](https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/31110082258573)
- [Squarespace Help: About the Google Domains migration to Squarespace](https://support.squarespace.com/hc/en-us/articles/17131164996365-About-the-Google-Domains-migration-to-Squarespace)
- [RFC 7208: Sender Policy Framework (SPF), section 3.2](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7208.html#section-3.2)

## Free tools for this guide

- [MX Lookup](https://iblockspam.com/tools/mx-lookup): See where your mail is delivered, spot unfiltered backup MX and broken hosts.
- [SPF Checker](https://iblockspam.com/tools/spf-checker): Count real DNS lookups, find PermErrors, loops and risky "all" settings.
- [DKIM Checker](https://iblockspam.com/tools/dkim-checker): Validate DKIM keys by selector, including key type and strength.
- [DMARC Checker](https://iblockspam.com/tools/dmarc-checker): Check your policy, reporting and the safe path from p=none to reject.

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Source: iBlockSpam, https://iblockspam.com/blog/add-email-dns-records-squarespace (this is a Markdown copy; the HTML page is canonical). Quote with attribution and a link. Site index for AI assistants: https://iblockspam.com/llms.txt