Can I Have a Hidden Page on Squarespace?

Yes, you can create a hidden page on Squarespace. Hidden pages are particularly useful if you want to keep certain content private or if you’re working on a page that isn't ready for public viewing yet. Here’s a detailed guide on how to create and manage hidden pages on Squarespace.

Creating a Hidden Page

1. Log In to Your Squarespace Account: Log in to your Squarespace account and open the website where you want to create a hidden page.

2. Navigate to the Pages Section: On the left-hand sidebar, click on “Pages” to open the pages management area.

3. Add a New Page: Click the plus (+) icon to add a new page. Choose the type of page you want to create (e.g., blank page, blog, gallery, etc.).

4. Naming the Page: Give your new page a name. This name will be visible in the page list but not necessarily in your site’s navigation menu once you hide it.

5. Hide the Page: In the “Pages” section, you'll see your new page listed. To hide it, drag and drop this page into the “Not Linked” section. Pages in this section are not included in your site’s navigation but can still be accessed via a direct URL.

Managing Access

To further control access to your hidden page, you can use the following methods:

1. Password Protection:
   You can set a password for your hidden page to ensure that only users who have the password can access it.
2. Click on the settings icon (gear icon) next to the hidden page in the “Not Linked” section.
3. Go to the “Password” tab.

4. Enter a password and save your settings.

5. Unlisting from Search Engines:
   You can ensure that search engines do not index your hidden page.

6. Click on the settings icon (gear icon) next to the hidden page.
7. Click the “SEO” tab.
8. Uncheck the “Enable Page” option under the “Search Engine Indexing” section.
9. Save your changes.

Accessing the Hidden Page

To access your hidden page or share it with others, you’ll need its URL. Here's how to get it:

1. Copy the Page URL:
2. While still in the “Pages” section, hover over the hidden page and click on the settings icon (gear icon).
3. The “General” tab will show the page URL at the bottom. You can copy this URL and share it with others who need access.

Limitations and Considerations

1. Direct URL Access: Remember that even though the page is hidden from navigation, anyone with the direct URL can access it unless it’s password protected.

2. Search Engine Indexing: Despite disabling search engine indexing, there’s always a slight possibility that your page might still get indexed if other pages on your site link to it or if the URL is shared publicly.

3. Visitor Experience: Ensure that any essential navigation elements are still accessible if required so that users can navigate back to the main site easily.

By following these steps, you can effectively create and manage hidden pages on your Squarespace website, controlling who can access them and ensuring the content remains private until you’re ready to make it public.