Google Domains was a comprehensive domain name registrar and domain management service operated by Google, launched in January 2015. Here is an overview of what the product did and its key features before its assets were acquired by Squarespace in September 2023.
What Google Domains Does
Google Domains allowed users to register, manage, and maintain domain names. It provided a straightforward and reliable platform for searching, purchasing, and transferring domain names, supporting over 300 domain name extensions.
Key Features and Functionality
Domain Registration and Transfer
Users could easily search for and purchase available domain names directly through the Google Domains website. The service also facilitated the transfer of domain names from other registrars, with a step-by-step wizard guiding the process.
Domain Sharing and Multi-domain Management
Google Domains enabled users to share domain name management with multiple people within an organization by assigning administrative access to other Google accounts. This feature was particularly useful for businesses and teams.
Privacy Protection
The service included free privacy protection, which kept contact information private on WHOIS and RDAP databases, helping to prevent spam and unwanted purchase offers.
Integration with Google Services
Google Domains offered seamless integration with other Google services such as Google Workspace, Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and Cloud Run. This integration allowed for automatic domain verification, eliminating the need for manual TXT record verification.
Custom Email
Users could integrate their domain names with Google Workspace to create up to 100 professional email addresses, which was beneficial for businesses with multiple employees.
DNS and Domain Forwarding
Google Domains provided Google-powered DNS, dynamic DNS, domain forwarding, and email forwarding. It also supported one-click DNS configuration for services like Blogger, Google Sites, Squarespace, Wix, Weebly, Bluehost, Shopify, and Firebase.
Security Features
The service included support for DNSSEC configuration and offered enhanced security through Cloud Identity & Access Management (IAM) permissions, particularly when used in conjunction with Cloud DNS.
Simplified Management
Google Domains featured a simple management dashboard that aligned with other Google services, allowing users to manage their domains using their existing Google accounts. The dashboard also supported two-factor authentication for added security.
Cloud Domains Integration
For users of Google Cloud, Cloud Domains simplified the process of registering and managing custom domains within the Google Cloud Console. This included easy domain renewal through Cloud Billing, automatic domain verification, and streamlined DNS configuration.
Overall, Google Domains was designed to provide a user-friendly, secure, and integrated platform for domain name registration and management, leveraging the robust ecosystem of Google services.
