Embedding Medium Blogs on Squarespace Websites: Methods and Considerations

The provided source materials detail methods for embedding content from Medium blogs onto Squarespace websites. Two primary approaches are outlined: utilizing website widgets, specifically SociableKIT, and directly embedding Medium posts via link integration within Squarespace’s editor. The documentation also touches upon migrating existing content from Medium to Squarespace, noting the lack of direct import tools and a workaround involving WordPress as an intermediary step. A key consideration for Squarespace users is the requirement of a “Business” account to access the necessary “code block” functionality for embedding widgets. The sources also suggest potential SEO benefits and user experience enhancements from embedding a Medium blog on a website.

Embedding Methods: SociableKIT Widget

SociableKIT offers a customizable Medium blog widget designed for direct embedding on websites, including Squarespace. The process involves creating and customizing the widget through the SociableKIT dashboard, then copying the generated embed code. This code is then pasted into a “Code Block” within the Squarespace editor. The documentation specifies that Squarespace “Business” accounts are required to access the “Code Block” feature, as “Personal” accounts do not include it. The steps, as outlined by SociableKIT, involve signing up for an account, creating a solution selecting “Medium Blog”, customizing the widget, obtaining the embed code, logging into Squarespace, adding a Code Block to a page, and pasting the code.

Embedding Methods: Direct Link Integration

An alternative method involves directly linking to Medium posts from within a Squarespace page. This approach requires copying the link to a specific Medium blog post and using the link functionality within the Squarespace website builder. The documentation suggests adding an image or text on the Squarespace page to encourage visitors to click through to the Medium post, then highlighting that element and applying the copied Medium link. To create a feed of multiple Medium posts using this method, the process must be repeated for each individual post.

Squarespace Account Requirements

The documentation consistently emphasizes the necessity of a Squarespace “Business” account for utilizing the widget embedding method. The “Code Block” feature, essential for pasting the embed code provided by SociableKIT, is unavailable on Squarespace “Personal” accounts. This limitation restricts users with “Personal” accounts to the direct link integration method, which is more manual and less suitable for displaying a comprehensive blog feed.

Content Migration from Medium to Squarespace

Migrating existing content from Medium to Squarespace is presented as a more complex undertaking. The sources indicate that no native integration or built-in import tools exist for this purpose. A suggested workaround involves exporting Medium content as HTML files, importing those files into WordPress, then exporting the content from WordPress and importing it into Squarespace. This multi-step process is acknowledged as “not a trivial task,” particularly for publications with multiple authors, as the export function operates on an author-by-author basis. The documentation notes that Medium no longer supports direct embedding of posts on external sites without utilizing the Medium API to create a custom solution.

Potential SEO Benefits

The documentation suggests that embedding a Medium blog on a website can offer SEO benefits. Specifically, it states that websites with high-quality and engaging content are often rewarded by search engines. Embedding a Medium blog may improve search engine ranking and attract more visitors. Additionally, migrating content to a website, and then cross-posting on Medium, is presented as a strategy to develop an inbound marketing strategy using content marketing.

User Experience and Cost Considerations

Embedding a Medium blog is presented as a way to enhance user experience by allowing visitors to remain on the host website while accessing blog content. This eliminates the need to navigate to Medium’s platform, creating a more seamless experience. The documentation also highlights the cost-effectiveness of embedding, as it eliminates the expenses associated with hosting and maintaining a separate blog platform.

Tagembed and Widgetbox Alternatives

The documentation briefly mentions Tagembed and Widgetbox as alternative tools for embedding Medium content. Tagembed is described as a platform for aggregating content from a Medium blog and customizing the widget’s appearance. Widgetbox is noted as enhancing the user interface with React or Material-UI. However, detailed instructions for using these platforms with Squarespace are not provided.

Conclusion

The available documentation outlines several methods for integrating Medium blog content with Squarespace websites. Utilizing a widget from SociableKIT requires a Squarespace “Business” account, while direct link integration is available to all Squarespace users. Migrating existing content from Medium to Squarespace is a more involved process, requiring a workaround through WordPress. Embedding a Medium blog is suggested to offer potential SEO benefits, enhance user experience, and provide a cost-effective blogging solution.