Google Domains Shutdown Complete — Squarespace Migration Finalised

The migration of Google Domains to Squarespace is now complete. All 10 million+ domains formerly managed by Google have been transferred to Squarespace's platform, marking the end of Google's brief but well-regarded run as a domain registrar.

The Timeline

• June 2023: Google announces sale of Google Domains to Squarespace for $180 million
• September 2023: Squarespace begins migrating domains in batches
• March 2024: Majority of domains transferred
• May 2026: Final batch migration complete — Google Domains officially shut down

The 3-year migration period was deliberately slow to minimise disruption, but it meant Google Domains customers existed in a limbo state — accounts at Google, domains moving to Squarespace, DNS and email configuration uncertain.

What Transferred (and What Didn't)

Transferred to Squarespace:

• Domain registrations and remaining registration periods
• DNS zone files and record configurations
• WHOIS contact information
• Domain lock status and transfer authorisation codes

Not transferred (lost during migration):

• Google Workspace integrations (separate product, but tight integration with Google Domains was a key feature)
• Google Domains email forwarding (Squarespace offers email forwarding but with different configuration)
• Google dynamic DNS (not available on Squarespace)
• Google Domains API access (no equivalent API)

The loss of Google Workspace integration is the most significant for customers who used Google Domains specifically because of the seamless setup with Google Workspace (one-click email configuration, automatic DNS records).

Pricing Changes

Squarespace honoured existing Google Domains pricing for the first year after migration. As of 2026, migrated domains now follow Squarespace's standard pricing:

Most common TLDs are priced similarly. Some niche TLDs (.dev, .app, .page) are more expensive on Squarespace. Free WHOIS privacy remains included, which was Google Domains' policy and Squarespace has maintained.

What Former Google Domains Customers Should Do Now

If you haven't logged in to Squarespace yet: 1. Go to domains.squarespace.com 2. Use your Google account to sign in (account linking was part of the migration) 3. Verify your domains are present, DNS is correct, and contact information is accurate 4. Set up 2FA (two-factor authentication) — Google's 2FA didn't transfer

If you used Google Domains email forwarding: Check your email forwarding configuration on Squarespace. The migration may have disrupted forwarding rules. Test by sending email to your forwarded addresses.

If you used Google Workspace integration: Your Google Workspace subscription continues (it's separate from Google Domains), but you'll need to manually manage DNS records for email (MX, SPF, DKIM) through Squarespace's DNS interface or move DNS management to another provider.

If you want to leave Squarespace: Domain transfers are straightforward. Unlock the domain in Squarespace, request the transfer auth code, and initiate transfer at your new registrar. The standard 60-day lock after transfer applies.

The Registrars Gaining From This

The Google Domains shutdown has benefited several competitors:

Cloudflare Registrar: The closest alternative to Google Domains in philosophy — at-cost pricing, clean interface, no upselling. Has seen significant migration from former Google Domains customers.

Porkbun: Competitive pricing, the best user interface in the registrar space. Growing fast, partly fueled by Google Domains refugees.

Namecheap: Already the largest independent registrar. Benefiting from customers who want a known brand after the Google-to-Squarespace disruption.

GoDaddy: Despite their reputation, some former Google Domains customers default to GoDaddy because of brand recognition. If you're considering this: look at Cloudflare or Porkbun instead.

What We Lost

Google Domains was genuinely good:

• Clean, fast interface (Google's design language, not a registrar's idea of "modern")
• At-cost pricing (Google didn't need to profit from domains — they benefited from Workspace integration)
• Free WHOIS privacy
• Excellent DNS (Google's global infrastructure)
• No upselling — the checkout was 2 clicks, not a 7-screen gauntlet of add-ons

It existed because Google wanted an on-ramp to Google Workspace, not because they wanted to be in the domain business. When Google decided Google Domains wasn't strategic enough to maintain, they sold it — and the internet lost one of the few genuinely good registrars.

The Larger Trend

Google's exit from the domain business is part of a pattern: the company launches well-designed products that acquire loyal users, then shuts them down or sells them when they're not strategic enough. The Google Graveyard (killedbygoogle.com) lists 290+ discontinued products, and Google Domains is the latest entry.

The lesson: don't depend on products that are accessories to a company's main business. Domain registration was never Google's core business, which meant it was always at risk of being deprioritised or sold. When choosing infrastructure providers, durability matters — companies whose entire business depends on the service you're using are more reliable than companies offering it as a side project.

Our Take

The Google Domains shutdown is a loss for the internet. It was a well-built product at fair prices with no dark patterns, and its existence pushed other registrars to improve (especially on WHOIS privacy and clean checkout flows).

If you're a former Google Domains customer now on Squarespace: the platform is adequate for domain management. But if you preferred Google Domains' simplicity, consider transferring to Cloudflare Registrar. It's the closest equivalent — at-cost pricing, clean interface, no upselling, excellent DNS.

If you're choosing a registrar now: pick one whose entire business is domains and hosting. Cloudflare, Namecheap, and Porkbun aren't going to sell their domain business because domains are fundamental to what they do. Durability matters.