What happened to Google Domains
Google's Google Domains page says that on 15 June 2023 Google entered into a definitive agreement with Squarespace, that all Google Domains users became Squarespace customers, and that "As of 10 July 2024, all domains have migrated to Squarespace." It directs domain questions to Squarespace. [1]
Squarespace announced on 7 September 2023 that it had completed the acquisition of the assets associated with the Google Domains business, with accounts moving to Squarespace Domains after a transition period. [2]
What changed for domain owners
Squarespace's help article for former Google Domains customers says that if you had no Squarespace account, one was created with your Google Domains email address, and you can sign in with "Continue with Google". Ownership moved to the last person responsible for payment, and contributors became domain managers. [4]
Some Google features did not carry over. Squarespace says Dynamic DNS is not supported (records stay on their last IP address and stop updating), and ACME TLS/SSL certificates are not supported (existing ones work until they expire but will not renew). If email forwarding stopped, Squarespace says you probably used custom nameservers with Google's forwarding and need to update DNS records. [4]
On price, Squarespace's FAQ for Google Domains customers said it would honour existing renewal prices "for at least 12 months after closing the acquisition". Check your current renewal price in your Squarespace billing settings rather than assuming the old rate still applies. [3]
| Item | Status after the move | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Account | Created with your Google Domains email if needed [4] | Sign in at Squarespace with Continue with Google |
| Dynamic DNS | Not supported; stops updating [4] | Move DDNS to a DNS provider that supports it |
| ACME certificates | Not renewed [4] | Plan another certificate method before expiry |
| Email forwarding | May have stopped with custom nameservers [4] | Update DNS records per Squarespace's forwarding guide |
| Google Workspace | Can be attached to a Squarespace-hosted domain [3] | Check that MX records still point to Google |
Point or transfer: choose one
Pointing keeps the registration at Squarespace and adds DNS records that send visitors to your builder. Transferring moves the registration to another registrar. For connecting a site, pointing is faster and does not lock you out of DNS changes while a transfer is pending. [5][6]
| Point the domain | Transfer the domain | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it is registered | Stays at Squarespace | Moves to the new registrar |
| Typical time | 24 to 48 hours for records to work [5] | Up to 15 days [6] |
| Domain locks | Not a transfer, so no transfer code is needed | A 60-day lock may apply after a recent registration, transfer in or registrant contact change [6] |
| DNS editing during the change | Yes | No; DNS cannot be edited while the transfer is pending [6] |
| Best for | Connecting Carrd, Framer or Webflow quickly | Consolidating domains at one registrar |
Point a former Google domain to Carrd, Framer or Webflow
In Squarespace: make sure the domain uses Squarespace nameservers, delete the records in the Squarespace Defaults section (Squarespace says the domain cannot point to another site while they are in place), then add custom records with the values your builder gives you. Squarespace says it can take 24 to 48 hours for the changes to work. [5]
Only delete the Squarespace Defaults records. Leave MX, SPF and other TXT records for your email provider in place. Before changing anything, screenshot or export the full record list so you can restore it.
| Builder | Root (@) record | www record | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrd | A record to the IP shown in your Carrd dashboard | CNAME to your bare domain | Requires Pro Standard or higher; can take up to an hour to initialise [7] |
| Framer | A records to 31.43.160.6 and 31.43.161.6 | CNAME to sites.framer.app | Remove other A and AAAA records; up to 48 hours to propagate [8] |
| Webflow | A record to 198.202.211.1 | CNAME to cdn.webflow.com | TXT record _webflow with the verification value shown; requires a Site plan; check Site settings for your site's exact records [9] |
Transfer it away from Squarespace without breaking email
Squarespace's transfer guide: turn off Domain Lock, click Request transfer code and confirm, then wait for an email from [email protected] with the code (usually within 24 hours) and give it to the new registrar. Only the most recent code works, and you cannot cancel once the code is with the new provider. [6]
Squarespace warns that most new hosts will not keep your DNS settings, so record them first. Remove DNSSEC before starting, because it cannot be changed during a pending transfer. If Google Workspace is attached, update MX records at the new provider after the transfer so email is not interrupted; the Workspace subscription stays managed through Squarespace unless you cancel it. [6]
If the domain has not moved after seven business days, Squarespace says to contact the new provider. [6]
Checklist
Use this order so the website changes and email never fail at the same time.
- Sign in to Squarespace and confirm you are the domain owner, not only a manager [4]
- Export or screenshot every DNS record, especially MX, SPF, DKIM and verification TXT records
- Note any Dynamic DNS or ACME certificate you relied on and replace it [4]
- Point first: delete Squarespace Defaults only, add the builder's records, keep email records [5]
- Test the site over https:// and send and receive a test email
- Transfer later if you want: unlock, remove DNSSEC, request the code, recreate DNS at the new registrar [6]
Questions before you decide
Is Google Domains still running?
No. Google's Google Domains page says all Google Domains users became Squarespace customers and that all domains had migrated to Squarespace as of 10 July 2024. It directs domain questions to Squarespace.
Can I use my former Google domain with Framer or Webflow without moving it?
Yes. Squarespace documents pointing a domain to another host: keep Squarespace nameservers, delete the Squarespace Defaults records and add the A and CNAME records your builder shows. It can take 24 to 48 hours.
Will transferring my domain break my Google Workspace email?
It can if you skip a step. Squarespace says most new hosts will not keep DNS settings, so record them first and update MX records with the new provider after the transfer.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Google Domains: notice about the transfer to Squarespace Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Squarespace press release: Squarespace completes acquisition of Google Domains assets (7 Sep 2023) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Squarespace: Google Domains customer FAQ Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Squarespace Help: former Google Domains customers Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Squarespace Help: Pointing a Squarespace domain Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Squarespace Help: Transferring a domain away from Squarespace Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Carrd docs: Using a custom domain Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Framer Help: How to connect a custom domain Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Webflow Help: Manually connect a custom domain Accessed 30 Oct 2026
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