| Google Sites | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Screenshot of the editing mode in the New Google Sites. | |
| Developer | |
| Initial release | February 28, 2008 |
| Platform | Web |
| Type | Website creation |
| Website | sites |
Google Sites is a structured wiki and web page creation tool included as part of the free, web-based Google Docs Editors suite offered by Google. The service includes Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Drawings, Google Forms, and Google Keep. Google Sites is only available on the web.
Since users of Google Sites get a free website with a Google.com domain name, Google Sites has been accused of being an easy way for scammers to setup fake websites that look legitimate.[1]
History
In October 2006, Google acquired JotSpot, founded by Joe Kraus and Graham Spencer, co-founders of Excite.[2][3]
On February 28, 2008, Google Sites was unveiled using the JotSpot technology.[4][5] Initially, the service was free, but users needed a domain name but on May 21, 2008, Google Sites became available without the need for a domain name.[6]
Websites created using Google Page Creator were migrated to Google Sites by 2009.[7]
In June 2009, all pages hosted on Google Sites were blocked in Turkey after it was alleged that one of the pages hosted on the platform insulted Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. In 2012, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled the blockage a breach of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (Yildirim v Turkey, 2012).[8][9]
In June 2011, Google Sites introduced a feature to allow users to create webpages designed for mobile phones.[10]
In June 2016, Google introduced a redesigned version of Google Sites that did not use JotSpot technology.[11][12][13] Users were required to migrate to the new version of Google Sites in 2021.[14]
References
- ^ Binder, Matt (November 1, 2022). "Google's free webpage maker, Google Sites, is a boon for scammers". Mashable.
- ^ "Google Acquires Wiki Collaboration Company Jotspot". TechCrunch. October 31, 2006.
- ^ "Google acquires Web applications pioneer JotSpot". Reuters. August 9, 2007.
- ^ Arrington, Michael (February 27, 2008). "It Took 16 Months, But Google Relaunches Jotspot". TechCrunch.
- ^ Auchard, Eric (February 28, 2008). Coghill, Kim (ed.). "Google offers team Web site publishing service". Reuters.
- ^ "Google Sites Available Without Google Apps". Google. May 22, 2008 – via Blogspot.
- ^ "Google Page Creator Migration Info". Google. April 18, 2009 – via Blogspot.
- ^ "Yildirim v. Turkey". Columbia University.
- ^ "Turkey: Landmark European Court Decision finds blanket Google ban was a violation of freedom of expression". Article 19. December 18, 2012.
- ^ Rao, Leena (June 29, 2011). "Google Sites Now Allows You To Create A Mobile Landing Page". TechCrunch.
- ^ Lardinois, Frederic (November 22, 2016). "Google's redesigned Google Sites goes live". TechCrunch.
- ^ Lopez, Napier (November 22, 2016). "Much improved Google Sites now available to all G Suite users". TNW.
- ^ Wolber, Andy (November 9, 2016). "5 key features of the new Google Sites". TechRepublic.
- ^ "Classic Google Sites creation ends May 15, 2021". University of Michigan. April 22, 2021.
