Substack is a popular platform for writers and publishers to create and distribute newsletters. When you create a Substack publication, you are given a default subdomain that is used to access your publication. However, you might want to change your Substack URL for various reasons, such as rebranding or improving your SEO. In this article, we’ll explore how to change your Substack URL and provide some best practices for choosing a new one.
Understanding Substack URLs is essential before you change your Substack URL. Your Substack URL is made up of two parts: the subdomain and the domain. The subdomain is the unique identifier that you choose for your publication, while the domain is the fixed part of the URL that is provided by Substack. Changing your subdomain will break all of your links, so it’s best to change your subdomain before you’ve published anything. Once you’ve published content, it’s still possible to change your subdomain, but you’ll need to set up redirects to ensure that your readers can still access your content.
Preparing to Change Your Substack URL involves choosing a new subdomain that aligns with your content and branding. You’ll need to make sure that your new subdomain is available and meets Substack’s requirements. You’ll also need to inform your audience about the URL change and update any links to your publication. In the next section, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide to changing your Substack URL, so you can do it easily and without any issues.
Key Takeaways
- Substack URLs consist of a subdomain and a domain, and changing your subdomain will break all of your links.
- Before changing your Substack URL, you should choose a new subdomain that aligns with your content and branding and inform your audience about the URL change.
- Follow our step-by-step guide to changing your Substack URL to ensure that the process is smooth and error-free.
Understanding Substack URLs
Substack is a platform for publishing newsletters and other written content. Each publication on Substack has a unique URL, which is used to access the publication’s homepage and individual posts. Understanding Substack URLs is important for maintaining a professional and consistent online presence.
A Substack URL consists of two parts: the subdomain and the domain. The subdomain is the part of the URL that comes before “.substack.com”. It can be customized to reflect the name of the publication or the author. For example, if someone’s publication is called “The Daily Scoop”, they might choose the subdomain “thedailyscoop” for their Substack URL.
The domain is the part of the URL that comes after the subdomain and before the “.com”. It is always “substack.com” for Substack publications. Together, the subdomain and domain make up the complete Substack URL.
When choosing a Substack URL, it is important to choose a subdomain that is easy to remember and reflects the content of the publication. It is also important to consider the potential impact of changing the subdomain later on, as changing it will break all of the links to the publication.
Overall, understanding Substack URLs is an important part of creating a successful publication on the platform. By choosing a memorable and relevant subdomain and being mindful of the potential impact of changing it, authors can create a strong online presence and attract more readers to their content.
Preparing to Change Your Substack URL
Before changing your Substack URL, it is important to take a few steps to ensure a smooth transition. Here are some things to consider:
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Choose a new subdomain: Your new subdomain should be easy to remember and relevant to your publication or brand. Take some time to brainstorm ideas and choose a name that reflects your content.
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Check for availability: Once you have a few potential subdomains in mind, check to see if they are available. Substack allows you to check availability directly from the “Change subdomain” section of your publication’s Settings page.
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Notify your audience: Changing your subdomain will break all of your links, so it is important to let your audience know about the change in advance. Consider sending out an email or making an announcement on social media to inform your followers.
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Update your links: After changing your subdomain, you will need to update all of your links to reflect the new URL. This includes links on your website, social media profiles, and any other platforms where you have shared your content.
By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth transition and minimize the impact of changing your Substack URL.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Substack URL
Changing your Substack URL is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few simple steps. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you change your Substack URL:
- Log in to your Substack account and navigate to your writer’s dashboard.
- Click on the “Settings” tab and scroll down to the “Danger Zone” section.
- In the “Danger Zone” section, you will find two options to change your subdomain. Click on the “Change Subdomain” button.
- Enter your new subdomain name and click on the “Save Changes” button.
- Your new subdomain name will take effect immediately, and all your future posts will use the new URL.
It is important to note that changing your subdomain will break all of your links. Therefore, it is recommended to change your subdomain before you publish anything.
Additionally, Substack allows you to set up a custom domain for your newsletter. If you have a custom domain, you can follow the same steps to change your custom domain. However, it is essential to ensure that your DNS records are updated to reflect the changes made to your domain name.
In summary, changing your Substack URL is a quick and easy process that can be completed in a few simple steps. By following this step-by-step guide, you can change your subdomain and start using your new URL immediately.
Verifying Your New Substack URL
Once you have changed your Substack URL, it is important to verify that the new URL is working properly. This will ensure that your readers can access your newsletter without any issues.
One way to verify your new Substack URL is to simply type it into your web browser and make sure that it loads correctly. If it does not load, double-check that you entered the correct URL and that you followed all of the steps to change your Substack URL correctly.
Another way to verify your new Substack URL is to use a website like Google Search Console to check for any errors or issues with your website. Google Search Console can help you identify any issues with your website’s search rankings, as well as any problems with your website’s structure or content.
It is also a good idea to update any links to your newsletter that you may have shared on social media or other websites. This will ensure that your readers can find your newsletter easily and that they are not directed to an old, non-functioning URL.
Overall, verifying your new Substack URL is an important step in ensuring that your readers can access your newsletter without any issues. By following the steps outlined above, you can make sure that your new URL is working properly and that your readers can continue to enjoy your content.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Changing a Substack URL can sometimes result in unexpected issues. Here are some common problems that may arise and how to troubleshoot them:
Broken Links
When a Substack URL is changed, all previous links to the publication will break. This can be problematic for readers who have bookmarked or shared links to the publication. One solution to this issue is to create a redirect from the old URL to the new one. This can be done through the publication’s DNS provider or through a third-party service like Bitly.
SEO Ranking
Changing a Substack URL can also affect the publication’s SEO ranking. If the publication has already been indexed by search engines, changing the URL can result in a loss of search engine visibility. To mitigate this issue, it’s recommended to create a 301 redirect from the old URL to the new one. This will signal to search engines that the content has moved to a new location and preserve the publication’s SEO ranking.
Caching Issues
Sometimes, even after changing a Substack URL, the old URL may still appear in search engine results or cached versions of the publication. This can be due to caching issues on the search engine’s end. To resolve this issue, it’s recommended to reach out to the search engine and request that they update their cache to reflect the new URL.
By keeping these common issues in mind and taking steps to troubleshoot them, changing a Substack URL can be a smooth and successful process.
Best Practices for Choosing a Substack URL
When choosing a Substack URL, it is important to keep in mind the following best practices:
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Keep it simple and memorable: Choose a URL that is easy to remember and spell. Consider using your publication’s name or a variation of it to make it simple for your readers to find you.
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Align with your branding: Make sure your URL aligns with your publication’s branding. Choose a name that reflects the content of your newsletter and the tone of your brand.
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Avoid using numbers or special characters: It is best to avoid using numbers or special characters in your URL. This can make it difficult for readers to remember and type correctly.
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Consider SEO: If you want your publication to be easily discoverable on search engines, consider including keywords in your URL. This can help your publication rank higher in search results.
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Check availability: Before settling on a URL, make sure it is available and not already in use by someone else. This can help avoid confusion and ensure that your readers can find you easily.
By following these best practices, you can choose a Substack URL that is easy to remember, aligns with your branding, and helps your publication stand out.
Informing Your Audience About the URL Change
Changing your Substack URL can have a significant impact on your audience. It is important to inform them of the change to avoid any confusion or loss of subscribers. Here are some tips on how to effectively communicate the URL change to your audience:
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Send an email blast: Send an email to your subscribers letting them know about the URL change. Be sure to include the new URL and explain why the change was made. This will help your subscribers understand the reason behind the change and make the transition smoother.
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Update your social media: If you have social media accounts linked to your Substack publication, update your bio and posts to reflect the new URL. This will help your followers find you easily and avoid any confusion.
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Create a redirect: If possible, create a redirect from your old URL to the new one. This will ensure that anyone who clicks on your old links will be redirected to the new URL automatically. This is especially important if you have a large archive of content that readers may still be accessing.
It is important to make sure your audience is aware of the URL change to avoid any confusion or loss of subscribers. By following these tips, you can effectively communicate the change and make the transition as smooth as possible for your audience.