Have a custom domain you'd like to use for your Substack publication? Get started by linking your domain to Substack by following these steps.
Note: Substack charges a one-time $50 USD fee to use a custom domain for your publication. You must be the publication's owner or group administrator in order to connect the custom domain.
1. Navigate to your publication's Settings page and click on Domain in the left navigation bar. Select the "Add custom domain" button.
Tip: You must complete this step and set up your domain on Substack before adding the CNAME alias in your DNS provider.
2. Enter your domain and you'll be provided with the correct CNAME alias to add in your DNS provider.
Below, you can find links to popular provider's support pages on CNAME records.
- Google domains: Create a CNAME record
- GoDaddy: Add a CNAME record
- Namecheap: How to create a CNAME record
- Domain.com: How to update a CNAME
- DreamHost: Adding a CNAME
- Bluehost: What is a CNAME?
- Hover: Managing DNS records
- Dynadot: How do I create a CNAME?
- Cloudflare: If you have registered your domain through Cloudflare, make sure that the “Proxy status” on your CNAME record is set to “DNS only”. The orange cloud icon in the CNAME record row should be grey, not orange.
Tip: What Substack calls "Name" and "Target" may have different labels on your registrar's setup page. What we call "Name" can be called "Host" or "Subdomain," and sometimes "Target" is labelled "Points to."
Here's a quick video on how to add a CNAME on GoDaddy:
3. To manually check whether or not the configuration is ready, use the “check status” button in the Custom domain section on your Settings page.
How long does it take for the configuration to work?
Once your custom domain is linked to Substack, it can take up to 36 hours to fully configure. If it's been over 36 hours, there may be an issue in the configuration.
First, check in your configuration settings that you've started off your domain with "www."
You may need to delete the configuration and start over (you won't be charged again).
Is the domain still not working? Please contact our Support Team with a screenshot of your full CNAME record list on your DNS account, and we'll be glad to help get that sorted out for you!
What should I enter in the TTL section?
Your provider may ask you to configure a TTL which you're welcome to leave alone.
Do I have to include "www" in my Substack newsletter URL?
We require that your Substack newsletter begins with a "www." Learn more about root domains here.
