Is Squarespace Good for SEO: Busting Myths in 2025
In the ever-evolving world of website development, and the endless debates about website platforms, a topic that often surfaces is the effectiveness of website platforms like Squarespace for SEO (that means Search Engine Optimization).
Many small business owners find themselves questioning whether sticking with Squarespace might hold them back in the race to rank higher on search engines—this is one of the SEO agency red flags I address in this previous article, it’s so common. As a Squarespace SEO expert who navigates these waters daily, I’m here to offer some insights and arm you with the knowledge to make informed decisions.
The Challenge of Balancing Your Tech and Your Business Goals
The decision of which website platform to use should never boil down solely to its SEO potential. That’s a fundamental business oversight. Choosing a platform should prioritize ease of use, allowing you to create, maintain, and adapt your website to meet business goals effectively. Most individuals embarking on building their websites might juggle between opting for Squarespace due to its user-friendly nature and the quick setup it offers. When compared to a complex system like WordPress, which requires themes, plugins, and a relationship with a developer, Squarespace can be the savvy business choice.
Addressing Squarespace SEO Concerns
Before diving into Squarespace’s strengths, it’s necessary to address some common pitfalls users might face with respect to SEO.
Squarespace Has Limitations in Coding that Can Impact Your SEO
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One of the recurring criticisms of Squarespace is the lack of control over the underlying code. However, this is not inherently negative. The constraints help prevent security breaches and hacking, providing a safer environment. However, this does mean less flexibility for highly sophisticated speed optimizations.
No Follow Links Are Semi-Complicated in Squarespace
Another SEO concern is the challenge of creating “no follow” links. Although this function is standard on many platforms, Squarespace has certain constraints. Fortunately, there are workarounds, and with strategic handling, these can be effectively managed, which I address in my course Squarespace SEO Hacks.
Squarespace Commonly Has Duplicate Content Issues
Squarespace can create what I call “pseudo pages” whenever categories or tags are added to blogs or shops, leading to duplicate content flags. Duplicate content can confuse search engines, yet this is mostly fixable with some standard practices and adjustments, largely mitigating this troublesome issue.
Squarespace Isn’t the Fastest, So We Need to Plan Carefully to Maintain Site Speed
The speed of your website is important for both user experience and SEO ranking—but it’s not the only ranking factor. While Squarespace has improved its platform’s speed, particularly with the introduction of version 7.1, it might still not match the swiftness of an HTML site—but I bet you’ll hate managing a site like this and find the design lacking. Despite this, adequate optimizations can meet acceptable thresholds in Squarespace, which is why I look at .
Google Core Vitals: The Real Squarespace Scoop
Squarespace was once infamous for poor Google Core Vitals scores, which measure user experience metrics. Thankfully, improvements in platform architecture have led to better scores over recent years, bolstering its SEO capabilities. Squarespace 7.1 users in particular should see improved Core Vitals performance. But, again, remember: there are many ranking factors (200+) so don’t fixate on Core Vitals alone!
Squarespace Requires Thoughtful Heading Structure and Schema Workarounds
Default heading structures in Squarespace templates can lead users astray. Fortunately, these structures are correctable. Moreover, creating schema, structured data to help search engines understand webpage content, is a hurdle but can be maneuvered around for high-priority content.
The SEO Benefits of Squarespace
Despite these challenges, Squarespace offers numerous advantages, particularly for users focused on creating engaging and optimized content.
Nothing Beats Squarespace for Ease of Content Creation
First and foremost, Squarespace’s simplicity in publishing content is unmatched. Adding blog posts or service pages is straightforward, reducing barriers to regular content updates—a critical factor for SEO success as engaging and relevant content significantly boosts SEO performance.
Squarespace Offers an Outstanding User Experience—Which Impacts SEO
In addition to content creation, Squarespace excels in crafting intuitive user experiences, a major consideration for search engines. Google emphasizes positive user experiences; thus, the platform’s ability to facilitate clean and intuitive designs aids SEO indirectly.
No Plugins Needed with Squarespace Thanks to Integrated SEO Features
Spacespace integrates SEO functions such as high-quality metas directly into its system, unlike platforms like WordPress, which require separate plugins. This integration simplifies metadata management, allowing users to focus on crafting engaging titles and descriptions without technical complications.
Easy Google Search Console Integration
Squarespace’s integration with Google Search Console within its analytics page is another boon for users. Providing direct insights into search performance without requiring separate logins, this feature empowers users to make data-driven decisions.
Backend Code Optimization
Behind-the-scenes coding on Squarespace is notably cleaner compared to some other page builders, namely ShowIt, which I do not recommend. This optimized code helps ensure better performance and reduces risks of technical mishaps.
Squarespace Has Simple No-Indexing
Squarespace allows for easy page exclusion from search results using a basic toggle button. This user-friendly function helps keep unwanted pages, such as privacy policies, from appearing in search engines.
Key Takeaway: Making Squarespace Work for You in the Search Engine
In weighing the pros and cons, it’s evident that while Squarespace has room for improvement, it also offers several advantages for businesses focusing on content-driven SEO strategies and who simply need a reliable, attractive, functional website. The platform provides a balanced set of tools and features for small business owners who prioritize simplicity and functionality without neglecting SEO potential.
Ultimately, the decision hinges more on how you leverage Squarespace’s capabilities rather than the platform itself. By understanding its strengths and navigating its limitations, you can turn Squarespace into a powerful ally in reaching ideal clients and building your authority in Google, Bing, and even Generative AI Engines like CHatGPT. Sounds pretty great, right?
