## Overview

Cloudflare's **orange cloud (proxy) mode** routes your traffic through Cloudflare's network, providing benefits like DDoS protection, SSL termination, and performance caching. However, enabling it alongside the Search Atlas Website Builder may cause compatibility issues depending on your specific DNS and hosting configuration.

This article covers what you need to know about Cloudflare orange cloud proxy compatibility with Search Atlas Website Builder, including steps you can take on your own and how to get help from our team.



## What Is the Orange Cloud (Proxy) Mode?

In Cloudflare, DNS records can be set to either **proxied (orange cloud)** or **DNS only (gray cloud)**. When a record is proxied, traffic flows through Cloudflare's network before reaching your origin server. When set to DNS only, traffic goes directly to your origin without passing through Cloudflare.

Depending on how your Website Builder site and DNS records are configured, enabling or disabling proxy mode on specific records may affect how your site loads and how Search Atlas interacts with your domain.



## Known Compatibility Considerations

Cloudflare orange cloud proxy mode can interact with Search Atlas Website Builder in ways that vary by setup. Common symptoms include a broken or blank site, failed pixel or UUID detections, and unexpected DNS behavior after changing proxy settings.



## Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Follow these steps in order to resolve proxy-related issues with your Website Builder site:

1. **Switch your CNAME records to DNS only (gray cloud).** In your Cloudflare DNS dashboard, locate the CNAME records associated with your Search Atlas Website Builder domain and update the proxy status to **DNS only (gray cloud)**. Save your changes.
2. **Wait for DNS propagation.** After switching to gray cloud, allow up to 5–10 minutes for the change to propagate. Then reload your site to check whether the issue is resolved.
3. **Test your site functionality.** Confirm that your site loads correctly and that any Search Atlas features (such as pixel or UUID detection) are functioning as expected.
4. **If issues persist, contact our support team.** Because the root cause of orange cloud conflicts can vary significantly by DNS and hosting configuration, our team can review your specific setup and advise on the correct proxy settings for your domain.

## What to Expect After Changing Proxy Settings

In many cases, switching the relevant CNAME records to DNS only (gray cloud) resolves compatibility issues with Search Atlas Website Builder. If your setup requires orange cloud to remain enabled for specific records, our support team can help you identify which records are safe to proxy and which should remain on gray cloud.



## Still Need Help?

If you have followed the steps above and are still experiencing issues, please reach out to the Search Atlas support team through the chat icon in your dashboard. Our team is happy to review your Cloudflare and DNS configuration and help you find the right solution.