An update on the classic Google Sites deprecation timeline
When Google launched the new Google Sites last year, They promised to share more information in 2017 on how to migrate from the classic version of Sites. Now, Google want to give you a better sense of what’s coming and when, so you can effectively plan for the eventual shutdown of the classic Sites product.
Migration tools
In Q4 2017, Google will launch features in the classic Sites that will help site owners migrate their content to the new Sites. In 2018, Google Will provide tools that will enable G Suite admins to effectively manage the migration process. Stay tuned for more details on these features and tools later this year.
Deprecation timeline
Google plan to take your feedback on these migration tools into account when scheduling the deprecation and shutdown of the classic Sites. With that mind, Google Will only announce a firm timeline after the migration process is underway for many customers.
A few things to note
Once announced, the deprecation schedule will include at least one year of unchanged operation followed by three months of read-only operation. Migration will be possible throughout, including during the read-only phase.
When the read-only phase ends, all unmigrated sites will be preserved as a takeout archive.
Before deprecating the classic Sites, Google will ensure that the new Sites includes several features necessary for team sites, portals, knowledge bases, and intranets. These will include at least the following:
- Search a site
- Restrict access to published sites
- More granular access to different sections of sites
- Embed URLs and code in sites
- Notifications of site updates
- Create larger sites, including deeper hierarchy
- Corporate themes
- More text formatting options
- Custom web addresses
- API capabilities
