Wednesday, November 9, 2016

A totally rebuilt Google Sites—now available to everyone

Earlier this year, we began previewing a completely revamped Google Sites with a select group of early adopters. Starting today, we’re making the new version of Sites generally available to G Suite customers. In addition to the intuitive technology, integration with G Suite apps, and attractive design that our early adopters have come to know and love, the new Sites now includes the ability to track performance with Google Analytics, six new themes, and other helpful features. Read on for more information regarding this launch, and check out the Help Center and Learning Center to learn more about the new Sites.
The classic version of Sites will continue to exist
The previously existing, classic version of Sites will continue to exist in parallel with the new Sites as we add capabilities that are similar to those found in the classic Sites. The classic Sites and the sites created with it will continue to follow the Sites-specific settings in the Google Admin console at Apps > G Suite > Sites.

Please note:

  • In 2017, we’ll provide and recommend options to migrate your sites from the classic Sites to the new Sites.
  • Beginning in 2018, we’ll send a timeline and instructions regarding the gradual process to shut down the classic Sites. The specific date for the shutdown of the classic Sites has yet to be set, but we’ll inform you at least one year in advance of that shutdown.

Turn the new Sites on or off for your organization
The new Sites is ON by default, but your users will not be able to create or edit sites in the new Sites unless you have both Google Drive and the classic Sites turned on as well.

To turn OFF the new Sites in your organization, you can do any one of the following:

The new Sites respects Drive sharing settings
The new Sites respects the Drive sharing settings in the Admin console (located at Apps > G Suite > Drive). It does not abide by the classic Sites sharing settings (located at Apps > G Suite > Sites). If you allow users to publish Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files on the web, they’ll also be able to publish sites created in the new Sites on the web.

Check out the new Sites today, and get started creating useful, beautiful sites that work across screens to deliver your content in the most effective way possible.


Launch Details
Release track:

  • Admin console settings
    • Launching to both Rapid release and Scheduled release
  • End user features
    • Launching to Rapid release, with Scheduled release coming on November 21st, 2016


Editions:
Available to all G Suite editions except G Suite for Government

Rollout pace:
Gradual rollout (potentially longer than 3 days for feature visibility)

Impact:
All end users

Action:
Admin action suggested/FYI


More Information
Help Center: The new Google Sites
Help Center: Use the new Google Sites
Learning Center: Sites

Launch release calendar
Launch detail categories
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