Control who can see a Squarespace page

Useful context

• Decide whether the content should be public, temporarily unavailable or shared for review.
• Write down the direct page address and current navigation position.
• Check whether existing customers depend on links to this page.

How it works

1. Define the intended audience

   Use a concrete description such as everyone, the owner while drafting, or a small review group. A seasonal menu may remain public without appearing in the main navigation. An unfinished staff document has a different requirement and should not be treated as an ordinary hidden navigation item.

2. Inspect page access settings

   Open that page’s settings and review whether it is enabled and whether a password is set. Check whole-site availability too, because it can restrict an otherwise enabled page. Read the current help for your page type before assuming a collection or member area uses identical controls.

3. Apply the appropriate control

   For an unfinished public page, disabling it is clearer than simply moving it out of the menu. For a permitted review, choose suitable access protection and share the access method separately from the link. Remove private customer information from review content even when access is restricted.

4. Verify from outside the editor

   Open the direct URL in a signed-out browser and check that the result matches your intention. Test an old link as well as the menu. If a page is disabled, review internal links that would now lead visitors to unavailable content and provide a sensible alternative.

What to check

• Direct-link access matches the intended audience.
• Menu placement is not being used as a security measure.
• Visitors are not left with links to newly disabled content.

Sources and further reading

Platform features can change. Check the provider’s current guidance before changing a live service.

• Squarespace page access controls
• Enabling and disabling Squarespace pages