How to Set a Custom URL or Custom Domain for Google Forms
Google Forms doesn't let you set a custom URL or custom domain out of the box — every link looks like docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe…. Here's how to brand your Google Forms link with a Google Workspace setup, and the simpler free alternative most people end up switching to.
Custom URL vs custom domain — what's the difference?
People use the phrases interchangeably, but they mean slightly different things. A custom URL is any branded form link that doesn't include google.com — for example forms.yourcompany.com/contact. A custom domain is the subdomain part (forms.yourcompany.com) that you point at the form host with a DNS record. Get the domain right, and the URL follows.
By default, Google Forms supports neither. Every Google Forms URL will be in the format forms.google.com/... or docs.google.com/forms/... — you can't have a branded link like forms.yourcompany.com, and you can't customise the path either.
There is one workaround if you have a Google Workspace account. Let's walk through it step by step.
Method: Google Workspace (For Organizations)
This is the official way for businesses or schools using Google Workspace. Here's how to set it up:
Step 1: Admin Console
Sign in as an administrator to the Google Admin console. You'll need admin privileges to configure custom URLs.
Step 2: Custom URLs
Navigate to Account → Account settings → Custom URLs in the Admin console.
Step 3: Add Prefix
Enter a prefix for your custom URL (e.g., "forms") and save the changes. This will create a subdomain like forms.yourdomain.com.
Step 4: DNS Records
Add a CNAME record at your domain host. You'll need to:
- Go to your domain registrar or DNS provider (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare)
- Create a CNAME record pointing your subdomain to
ghs.googlehosted.com - For example:
forms.yourdomain.com→ghs.googlehosted.com
Step 5: Connect
Return to the Admin console and confirm that you've completed the DNS steps. Google will verify the DNS configuration, which can take up to 48 hours.
Why This Method Is Complex
While the Google Workspace method works, it comes with several challenges:
💰 Requires Paid Google Workspace Subscription
You need a Google Workspace account, which starts at $6 per user per month. For small businesses or individuals, this can be expensive.
⚙️ Technical DNS Configuration
You need to understand DNS records, CNAME configurations, and have access to your domain's DNS settings. This requires technical knowledge that many users don't have.
⏱️ Time-Consuming Setup
The process involves multiple steps across different platforms (Admin console, DNS provider), and DNS verification can take up to 48 hours to complete.
🚫 Limited Customization
Even after setup, you still have limited control over the form URL structure and overall form appearance compared to dedicated form builders.
A Simpler Solution: Youform Custom Domain
Youform makes custom domain setup incredibly simple. Instead of multiple steps across different platforms, you can have your custom domain working in just 2 minutes.
How Simple Is It?
Add your domain in Youform settings
Add a single A record in your DNS (just one IP address)
Done! Your custom domain is ready in minutes
Additional Benefits of Youform Over Google Forms
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Partial Submissions: Save progress and let users complete forms later. Never lose a submission again.
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Better Design & Templates: Beautiful, modern form designs and 500+ professional templates to choose from.
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Unlimited Submissions: No limits on form responses, even on the free plan. Collect as many submissions as you need.
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Custom Branding: Full control over your form's appearance, colors, fonts, and branding to match your company identity.
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Better User Experience: More engaging, interactive form experience with better completion rates and user satisfaction.
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Free Forever: Unlimited forms and unlimited responses on the free plan. No credit card required.
Compare Google Forms vs Youform
Here's how a form looks when embedded from Google Forms versus Youform with a custom-domain-ready setup.
Sample Google Form Embed
Sample Youform Embed
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I use a custom domain with online form services?
To use a custom domain with online form services, you'll need to choose a platform that supports this feature. With Google Forms, you can use Google Workspace (as explained above), but it requires a paid subscription and complex DNS setup. Youform offers a much simpler process—just add your domain in settings and add a single A record in your DNS. Learn how to set up a custom domain in Youform to get started.
Which platforms support custom domains for online surveys?
Several platforms support custom domains for online surveys. Google Forms requires a Google Workspace account (paid subscription) and complex DNS configuration. Youform makes it simple to connect your own domain without complex technical setup—you can use your custom domain on both free and paid plans, making it accessible to everyone. The setup process takes just minutes compared to the multi-step, multi-day process with Google Workspace.
How can I customize Google forms link?
Unfortunately, you cannot customize Google Forms links to use your own domain without a Google Workspace account. Google Forms URLs will always contain "forms.google.com" or "docs.google.com" in the domain. The only way to use a custom domain with Google Forms is through a paid Google Workspace account and the complex setup process we outlined above. If you need a branded, customizable form link, consider using Youform, which allows you to use your own custom domain easily with just a simple DNS record.
How can I make branded URL with Google forms?
You cannot create a truly branded URL with Google Forms without a Google Workspace account. Google Forms doesn't support custom domains by default, so your form URLs will always include "google.com" in the domain name. While you can shorten the link or use URL shorteners, you still won't have a fully branded domain like "forms.yourcompany.com". If you need a branded URL for your forms, Youform is a great solution. With Youform, you can easily set up a custom domain and create branded URLs that match your company's identity in just minutes.
Is it possible to customise the URL of a Google Form?
Not really. Google Forms gives every form a long, auto-generated URL like docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe… and there's no setting to change the path, the slug, or the domain. The closest you can get is a Google Workspace custom domain (covered above), which lets you put forms on forms.yourcompany.com but still locks the path. A URL shortener like Bit.ly hides the ugly link but doesn't make it yours. If you need a fully customisable form URL — branded subdomain plus a clean path — switch to a form builder that supports it. Youform lets you set a custom URL and custom domain on both free and paid plans.
Can I redirect to a custom URL after a Google Form is submitted?
That's a different feature — and Google Forms doesn't support it natively either. The closest you can do is paste a link into the confirmation message and hope respondents click it. We wrote a separate guide on the three workarounds: Google Forms redirect after submit — solved.
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