When you buy a domain, the name you buy– such as “example.com” or “example.co.uk”– is called the “root domain”. Your domain registrar will also allow you to use subdomains, such as “www.example.com” or “blog.example.co.uk”.
Why is it required that my Substack publication is hosted by a subdomain such as "www"?
Some domain registrars, including GoDaddy and Google Domains, only allow CNAME records to point from a subdomain and not from a root domain (this is sometimes called “CNAME flattening”). For example, on Godaddy, you won’t be able to use example.com for your Substack publication, but you will be able to use www.example.com.
If you've registered your domain with one of these registrars, we require a subdomain for your Substack.
Formats that work:
- www.example.com
- newsletter.example.com
Format that won't work:
- example.com
Can I set up a root domain redirect on Substack?
Yes! You can set up a root domain redirect on your publication's Settings page in the Domain section.
If you don't have a cutstom domain yet on Substack:
When setting up a custom domain on Substack, check the box next to "Root domain redirects".
Copy and paste these exact settings and add the DNS record in your DNS provider.
Your DNS record will need an A record with name or host value of @ with target value of: 3.231.35.217
If you have an existing custom domain on Substack:
Head to the Domain section and click on "Setup redirects" next to "Add root domain redirects".
Here, you'll go through the process to get the A record added. Go to your DNS provider and copy and paste the exact settings you see on this page.
After you've completed the set up on your DNS provider, select "Setup root domain redirects".
Note: It can take around one hour for the redirects to start working. If you've previously used a forwarding workaround such as redirect.pizza, please remove all other A DNS records for your root domain before setting up the root domain redirect on Substack.