Previously, you’ve been able to define who could edit a draft page in Google Sites. Now, Google’s added similar functionality to specify who can view a published site.

How to publish for individual targets

Site authors and editors can click the Share icon (a plus person icon). In the panel that opens up, change the setting for ‘published’. The default is ‘Anyone at Google.com can find and view. To enable specific targeting, you’ll want to change that to ‘Specific people can view when published’.

After that, add your specific audience via the ‘Invite people’ box. Identify them by their email address and tweak their settings from the default ‘can edit’ to the newly available ‘Can view published’.

If the invited email address is not yet linked to a Google account, they’ll be prompted to create one in order to get access.

When comes the control?

Google says all G Suite users will soon get access to the new feature, but it could take a couple of weeks before you see it. It’s out on rapid release now. Broader scheduled roll-out will go from the end of February.

Combined with already enabled custom URLs, this sort of audience control could make Google Sites a valid option for micro-campaigns and subscriber specials. Tempted to start using Google Sites for external comms?

Copy Transmission is a Melbourne-based agency :: Better Brands. Loud & Clear.