Publishing a Google Site makes it live at a web address you choose. You can publish publicly, only to people in your organization, or to specific people, and every later change goes live when you publish again.
Quick Answer
In the Google Sites editor, click Publish, choose a web address, set who can view it, and click Publish. Click Publish again after future edits.
How to Publish a Google Site
- Open your site in the Google Sites editor.
- Click Publish in the top-right corner.
- Enter a web address (the last part of the URL).
- Next to Who can view my site, click Manage to choose public, your organization or specific people.
- Optionally check the box asking search engines not to show the site.
- Click Publish, then View published site to check it.
Publishing Options
| Option | Effect |
|---|---|
| Anyone | Public on the web |
| Your organization | Work or school accounts only |
| Specific people | Invite by email |
| Custom domain | Settings, Custom domains |
| Unpublish | Publish drop-down, Unpublish |
Preview Before You Publish
Google recommends checking your site before it goes live. In the editor, click Preview at the top, then use the layout buttons at the bottom right to see how the site looks on a phone, tablet and large screen. Click Exit at the bottom right to return to editing. This is the moment to fix cramped images, long menus and text that is hard to read on a small screen.
Choosing a Web Address
The web address you enter becomes the end of your site’s URL, so keep it short and easy to type, such as the name of your class, team or event. Google blocks terms that break its Acceptable Use Policy. If the address you want is one you already used for another site you own, change that site’s address or permanently delete the old site first. You can switch to your own domain later under Settings, Custom domains.
After Publishing
- Share the link: copy it from View published site or the Publish drop-down.
- Turn on anchor links: in Settings, Viewer tools, switch on Show anchor links so visitors can link to a specific heading, then publish again.
- Check search visibility: new sites can take days to appear in search results, and won’t appear at all if you asked search engines not to show them.
- Keep it current: edits stay in draft until you click Publish again.
Google’s Publish & share your site help page has the latest steps.
Troubleshooting
- Publish is greyed out: you need Editor access to the site.
- Visitors see an old version: click Publish again after editing.
- Search engines do not show it: new sites can take time to be indexed, and the no-search box must be clear.
Related: Delete a draft campaign in Google Ads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google Sites free?
Yes, with a Google account.
Can I use my own domain?
Yes, under Settings, Custom domains, if you own the domain.
Can I password-protect a site?
Limit viewers to specific people instead.
How do I take a site down?
Use Unpublish from the Publish menu.
Summary
- Open the site editor.
- Click Publish.
- Choose a web address.
- Set who can view.
- Publish again after edits.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.