Squarespace announced that it is acquiring all of Google Domains’ assets, including the transfer of approximately 10 million domains. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2023.

Google and Squarespace have entered into an agreement to transfer Google Domains assets.

Google Domains will be in transition as it is being phased out.

Squarespace’s CEO and founder issued a statement:

“We are extremely proud to be selected to serve the customers of the Google Domains business,” said Anthony Casalena, Founder and CEO of Squarespace. “Domains are an important part of the web infrastructure and an essential part of any company’s online presence.

We look forward to serving these new customers as we have already served millions of customers with our domain products and are committed to a seamless transition.”

The news surprised almost everyone. I’m sure no one expected it.

whoops Squarespace’s acquisition of Google Domains was definitely not on my bingo card today. ????????????

— Brian Gardner (@bgardner) June 16, 2023

Impact on Google Workspace Customers

Squarespace is a Google Workspace reseller. Customers who purchased a domain through Workspace will switch to Squarespace billing.

According to the press release:

“Upon closing, Squarespace, a long-time Google Workspace reseller, will become the exclusive domain provider for all customers who purchase a domain directly from Google along with their Workspace subscription for a minimum of three years.

Squarespace will also provide billing and support services to Google Workspace customers who have signed up for the service through Google Domains.

Customers will still have the ability to make changes to their domain account at any time.”

Squarespace Domain Registrations

Squarespace is primarily known as a software-as-a-service (SaaS) website builder that allows individuals and businesses to easily create a web presence.

But they also run a domain registration business. This acquisition will add around ten million more customers.

The domain registration company, like any other domain name registrar, has a domain management tool that allows one to edit the DNS.

Squarespace domains range from $20 to $70.

The sales agreement stipulates that Squarespace will adhere to the current Google domain prices for one year.

Reaction to the news about the takeover of Google Domains

Google domains are a popular choice in the search engine marketing community and beyond because of their ease of use and low-key interface.

The news was received with great concern, fear and sadness.

One person commented on the lack of consistent upselling of add-ons such as privacy, email accounts and other services, which is not uncommon for other registrars.

It was a great product for agency owners and one of the best things it had to offer is now going to follow GoDaddy – endless upsells.

— Rex Kramer, Danger Seeker® (@RexDangerSeeker) June 16, 2023

Other apparently satisfied Google Domains customers expressed their sadness:

Pretty depressed about that. Loved G domains

— Tee Riddle ???????? (@TeeRiddle) June 16, 2023

I’m so sad.

— Josh Miller (@josdmiller) June 16, 2023

Natural growth path for Squarespace

Many other companies also offer domain registration services along with hosting, marketing, and other services. So in a way, it’s a natural path for Squarespace.

Read the press release:

Squarespace Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire Google Domains Assets