How to add reCAPTCHA to your Squarespace forms

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Adding Google reCAPTCHA to your Squarespace forms is an essential step in protecting your website from spam and automated submissions.

This guide will walk you through the process of integrating reCAPTCHA into your Squarespace forms, ensuring that your site remains secure while providing a smooth user experience.

Quick Fix

How to Add reCAPTCHA to Your Squarespace Forms:

1. Log into your Squarespace account and navigate to Settings > Advanced > External API Keys.
2. Register a new site in the Google reCAPTCHA admin console and obtain your Site Key and Secret Key.
3. Go to your form block, click Edit, and enable Google reCAPTCHA in the Storage tab.
4. Enter your reCAPTCHA keys and save your changes.

What is Google reCAPTCHA?

Google reCAPTCHA is a free service that helps protect websites from spam and abuse by verifying that a user is a human and not a bot. It presents users with challenges, such as identifying images or simply checking a box that says "I'm not a robot." This verification process helps prevent malicious software from submitting forms on your site, ensuring that your leads are genuine.

Why Use reCAPTCHA on Your Squarespace Forms?

1. Reduce Spam: reCAPTCHA significantly decreases the amount of spam submissions you receive through your forms, which can clutter your inbox and make it difficult to manage legitimate inquiries.

2. Enhance Security: By filtering out automated bots, reCAPTCHA adds an extra layer of security to your website, protecting your data and user information.

3. Improve User Experience: A well-implemented reCAPTCHA can enhance user experience by ensuring that only real users can submit forms, leading to more meaningful interactions.

How to Add Google reCAPTCHA to Your Squarespace Forms

Step 1: Enable Google reCAPTCHA

Before adding reCAPTCHA to your forms, you need to enable it in your Squarespace settings.

1. Log into Your Squarespace Account: Go to squarespace.com and sign in to your account.

2. Navigate to Settings: In the left sidebar, click on Settings.

3. Go to Advanced: Scroll down and select Advanced.

4. Select External API Keys: Click on External API Keys to access the Google reCAPTCHA settings.

5. Set Up reCAPTCHA:

   • Click on the Google reCAPTCHA API Keys link. This will open a new tab directing you to the Google reCAPTCHA admin console.

   • Click on the Admin Console button in the top right corner.

Step 2: Generate reCAPTCHA Keys

1. Register a New Site:

   • In the reCAPTCHA admin console, click on the + icon to register a new site.

   • Choose reCAPTCHA v2 and select the option for "I’m not a robot" Checkbox.

2. Fill in the Details:

   • Label: Enter a name for your reCAPTCHA (e.g., "My Squarespace Site").

   • Domains: Enter your Squarespace domain (e.g., yoursite.squarespace.com) and any custom domains you may have (excluding https://).

   • Accept the reCAPTCHA terms of service.

3. Submit: Click Submit to generate your site key and secret key.

4. Copy Your Keys: Make a note of your Site Key and Secret Key, as you will need them in the next steps.

Step 3: Add reCAPTCHA to Your Forms

1. Navigate to Your Form: Go to the page containing the form you want to protect with reCAPTCHA.

2. Edit the Form Block:

   • Click the Edit button on the page.

   • Double-click on the form block to open the form settings.

3. Enable Google reCAPTCHA:

   • In the form block settings, go to the Storage tab.

   • You will see the Google reCAPTCHA option. Toggle it on.

4. Enter Your reCAPTCHA Keys:

   • In the reCAPTCHA settings, enter the Site Key and Secret Key that you obtained earlier.

   • Click Save to apply the changes.

Step 4: Test Your Form

1. Preview Your Site: After saving your changes, preview your site to ensure everything is working correctly.

2. Submit the Form: Fill out the form and check that the reCAPTCHA challenge appears. Complete the challenge and submit the form to verify that it functions as expected.

Best Practices for Using reCAPTCHA

1. Use reCAPTCHA v2: Squarespace currently supports reCAPTCHA v2, which is user-friendly and effective in preventing spam.

2. Keep the User Experience in Mind: While reCAPTCHA is essential for security, ensure that it does not hinder the user experience. Avoid overly complex challenges that may frustrate users.

3. Monitor Submissions: Regularly check your form submissions to ensure that reCAPTCHA is effectively filtering out spam while allowing legitimate entries.

4. Update Your Keys: If you change your domain or experience issues with spam, consider generating new reCAPTCHA keys and updating them in your Squarespace settings.

Conclusion

Integrating Google reCAPTCHA into your Squarespace forms is a straightforward process that significantly enhances your website's security by reducing spam and ensuring that only genuine users can submit forms. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively set up reCAPTCHA and improve the overall functionality of your Squarespace site.