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Content management system

Ghost

Open source, Ghost Foundation · Content management system. How DNSTrace.dev identifies it from public evidence.

Updated Sep 2026

What Ghost is

Ghost is a Node.js publishing platform aimed at newsletters and editorial sites. It is available both as self-hosted software and as Ghost(Pro), the managed service run by the Ghost Foundation, and both produce the same application signals.

How DNSTrace.dev detects it

Detection reads the final HTTPS response and the first bytes of its markup. One matching signal is reported as strong evidence; two or more independent signals are reported as confirmed.

  • x-ghost-cache-status — The cache outcome from Ghost's own caching layer.
  • x-powered-by naming Ghost — Emitted by some configurations.
  • meta generator naming Ghost — Present in default themes, including the version string when it is not stripped.

What a detection proves

The document was produced by Ghost.

What it does not prove

Whether the install is self-hosted or on Ghost(Pro), which theme is in use, or which member and subscription features are enabled.

Common questions

Can DNSTrace.dev tell Ghost(Pro) from self-hosted Ghost?

Not from the application signals, which are identical. The delivery platform and announcing network reported alongside them are the useful clue.

Does Ghost always emit a cache header?

No. The header depends on the caching configuration, so a Ghost site can be visible only through the generator tag.

Compare with

Content management systemWordPress

Open source, WordPress Foundation

Content management systemCraft CMS

Pixel & Tonic, Inc.

Content management systemHubSpot

HubSpot, Inc.

Application frameworkExpress

Open source, OpenJS Foundation

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