Yes, you can make your Google Site private and restrict access to only specific individuals or groups. This is useful if you want to create a site for internal use, such as a company intranet, a classroom resource, or a personal project. Here’s how you can configure your Google Site to be private and not publicly accessible.

Firstly, when you are in the editing mode of your Google Site, click on the “Share” button in the top right corner of the screen. This opens the sharing settings where you can manage who has access to your site. By default, Google Sites might set your site to be publicly accessible, but you can change these settings to limit access.

In the sharing settings menu, you will see an option labeled “Published site” which shows the current visibility status. Click on the “Change” link next to it. You will be presented with several options for who can view your site. To make your site private, select the option “Specific people.” This ensures that only individuals you explicitly invite will be able to access the site.

Next, you can add the email addresses of the people you want to share your site with. In the “Share with people and groups” section, enter the email addresses of your intended viewers or collaborators. You can assign different roles, such as “Viewer” for those who only need to see the content and “Editor” for those who need to make changes. This way, you have full control over who can view and modify your site.

After setting the permissions, click “Send” to invite the selected individuals. They will receive an email notification with a link to your Google Site. Since you have restricted access, only those with the invitation will be able to view or edit the site, depending on the permissions you assigned. This ensures that your site remains private and secure.

In conclusion, making your Google Site private involves adjusting the sharing settings to limit access to specific people. By setting the visibility to “Specific people” and inviting only those you trust, you can ensure that your site is not publicly accessible. This feature is especially useful for sensitive projects, internal communications, and any scenario where privacy is a priority. With these steps, you can maintain full control over who can see and interact with your Google Site.