Google is officially moving reCAPTCHA to Google Cloud, bringing several changes for website owners who rely on it to block bots and spam. Although Google first announced this shift earlier in the year, many users are only now receiving emails confirming that their reCAPTCHA keys are eligible for migration.
By the end of 2025, all reCAPTCHA keys will belong to a Google Cloud project. You can migrate your keys manually right away, or you can wait and let Google do it automatically 90 days after you receive the migration email. If you migrate manually, you get to choose the Cloud project your keys link to and gain access to extra features like monitoring, reporting, and access controls. If you opt to wait, Google will handle the migration for you and notify you once it’s complete.
Here’s the big change, reCAPTCHA is no longer entirely free. Google has introduced billing based on usage. The first 10,000 assessments each month remain free. However, if your usage hits 10,001, Google will charge you $8 per month. Costs go up with higher usage, so websites with heavy traffic should plan accordingly and factor this into their budgets.
The good news is that you don’t need to change any code if you’re using the SiteVerify API; your current setup will continue working after the migration. However, Google recommends switching to the newer CreateAssessment API to unlock more features and ensure better compatibility in the future.
In short, reCAPTCHA is transitioning to Google Cloud, introducing usage-based billing, and providing users with the option to manage the migration themselves or have Google handle it. Now is a smart time to review your site’s usage and update your billing plans to avoid surprises.
