Web host Squarespace lays off 19% of its employees
techcrunch ·
Squarespace is laying off approximately 19% of its global workforce, affecting around 300 employees, as part of a strategic restructuring. The company states that these changes aim to simplify operations, sharpen priorities, and accelerate growth for the next phase of its business. This move comes amid significant shifts in the website-building industry driven by generative AI and "vibe-coding" tools that allow users to create sites with simple prompts. Competitors like Wix and startups such as Lovable have gained substantial market attention and investment in this space. In response, Squarespace has intensified its own AI efforts, launching tools like Blueprint and preparing to release an AI-native platform called Forma. Founded in 2004, Squarespace went public in 2021 but returned to private ownership in 2024 through a $7 billion private equity deal after struggling to maintain public market enthusiasm. The layoffs were confirmed by public relations specialist Jeff Seedman following initial reports from The Verge.
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