Google Domains → Squarespace: What Actually Changed
In 2023, Google sold their domain business to Squarespace. Your domains got migrated automatically. Prices went up. The interface changed. Here's what you need to know.
What Happened
In September 2023, Google announced they were selling Google Domains to Squarespace. By mid-2024, the migration was complete. If you had domains at Google, they're now at Squarespace—whether you wanted that or not.
Google's reasoning was simple: domains weren't a core business. They had ~10 million domains and decided to exit the market entirely.
The Price Increase
This is what most people care about. Here's what changed:
| TLD | Google Price | Squarespace Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| .com | $12.00 | $20.00 | +67% |
| .net | $12.00 | $20.00 | +67% |
| .org | $12.00 | $20.00 | +67% |
| .io | $60.00 | $70.00 | +17% |
A 67% price hike on .com renewals is significant. Over 5 years, that's an extra $40 per domain.
What Stayed the Same
- ✓Free WHOIS privacy (still included)
- ✓Your domains transferred automatically
- ✓DNS records preserved during migration
- ✓Existing registration periods honored
What Changed (Besides Price)
- ⚠️New dashboard: Squarespace interface instead of Google's clean design
- ⚠️Different support: No more Google support; now Squarespace handles everything
- ⚠️Account integration: Need Squarespace account (can use Google SSO)
- ⚠️Ecosystem shift: Designed to upsell Squarespace website builder
Should You Stay or Transfer?
Stay at Squarespace If:
- You already use Squarespace for your website
- You only have 1-2 domains (the hassle isn't worth it)
- You value the clean Squarespace interface
- $20/year isn't a concern for you
Transfer Away If:
- You have multiple domains (savings add up fast)
- You don't use Squarespace for anything else
- You want the lowest possible renewal prices
- You preferred Google's minimalist approach
Best Alternatives for Google Domains Refugees
If you want that Google Domains experience—clean, simple, cheap—here are your best options:
Clean interface, lowest prices, free WHOIS. The spiritual successor to Google Domains.
Try Spaceship →At-cost pricing, plus free CDN and security. Requires Cloudflare nameservers.
Try Cloudflare →How to Transfer from Squarespace
If you've decided to leave, here's the process:
- Unlock your domain: In Squarespace, go to Domains → [Your Domain] → Advanced Settings → Turn off Domain Lock
- Get auth code: Click "Transfer Away" and copy the authorization code
- Start transfer: Go to your new registrar (like Spaceship) and initiate transfer
- Pay transfer fee: Usually ~$10 (includes 1 year extension)
- Approve transfer: Confirm via email from Squarespace
The whole process takes 5-7 days. Your website stays up during the transfer.
The Bottom Line
The Google Domains acquisition was a bummer for users who loved Google's simple, fairly-priced service. Squarespace is a legitimate company, but their pricing reflects their focus on website builders rather than domain-only customers.
If you're just managing domains (not using Squarespace sites), transferring to Spaceship or Cloudflare will save you money and give you a similar experience to what Google offered.
Transfer from Squarespace to Spaceship and pay $10.18/year instead of $20. Clean interface, free WHOIS, half the price.
Transfer to Spaceship →We earn commissions from Spaceship. Cloudflare has no affiliate program. We recommend these registrars because they offer the best value for former Google Domains users.