Highlights:
- Google will retire the site links search box on November 21, 2024, due to declining usage.
- No impact on search rankings or other site links; it’s a purely visual update.
- Structured data for the site links search box can remain on your site without causing errors.
- Search Console and Rich Results Test will no longer report on or highlight site links search box markup.
- No immediate action is required for website owners or SEO professionals.
Monday, October 21, 2024
After over ten years of supporting users in their search for site-specific content, Google has announced the retirement of the site links search box. Starting November 21, 2024, this visual element will no longer be part of the search experience.
This might feel like the end of an era for many, but let’s dive deeper into why this decision was made, what it means for site owners, and what the future holds without this familiar tool.
The Sitelinks Search Box: A Brief Look Back
The site links search box was first introduced in September 2014 as a way to make site navigation easier for users. Allowing people to search within specific websites directly from Google’s search results streamlined the experience for users searching for company-specific content.
Whether you were looking for a product page on an e-commerce site or a specific section of a corporate website, this search box provided a shortcut to get you there faster.
But like all good things, the journey of the site links search box has come to an end.
Why Is Google Removing the Sitelinks Search Box?
The answer is simple: declining usage. Over the years, fewer people have been using the site links search box. Google explained that they’ve noticed a steady drop in its utilization, and to simplify the search results page, the decision was made to remove it altogether.
As part of Google’s ongoing efforts to streamline the user experience, eliminating underutilized features makes sense. The site links search box may have been innovative when it first arrived, but as search habits evolved, the need for it faded.
What Does This Mean for Your Website?
You might be wondering: Will this impact my rankings?
The good news is, it won’t. Google has made it clear that removing the site links search box is purely a visual update. Your site’s search rankings won’t be affected, and other site link features will remain unchanged. This means that while you’ll no longer see the search box, your site’s performance on Google will remain the same.
For SEO professionals and website owners, no immediate action is needed. Although you can remove the site links search box structured data from your site, it’s not necessary. Google won’t penalize you for keeping it there. Unsupported structured data like this won’t trigger any errors in Search Console reports, so you can choose to leave it as is.
Tools and Reporting Updates
Following the removal of the site links search box, Google will also be making adjustments to their tools:
- Search Console Rich Results Report: The report for the site links search box will be removed, as it will no longer be relevant.
- Rich Results Test: This tool will stop highlighting the site links search box markup, as it won’t be needed after the update.
However, WebSite structured data, which is used for site names, will still be supported. So, if you’re using that on your site, it’s good to know that it remains a valid part of your structured data setup.
A Look Back: The Legacy of the Sitelinks Search Box
It’s interesting to reflect on the impact of the site links search box over the last decade. Initially, it was introduced as a way to enhance the search experience by helping users find specific website content quickly. It supported features like autocomplete and allowed websites to integrate their search pages using schema markup.
For larger websites or businesses with complex navigation, it was a helpful tool. But as search engines and user behavior evolved, the need for a separate search box became less relevant. Many users have grown accustomed to using Google’s core search functionality or the search bars directly embedded within websites.
What’s Next for SEO Professionals?
With the removal of the site links search box, there’s no need to panic or rush into making any drastic changes. No immediate action is required.
However, this update serves as a reminder that Google’s search experience is constantly evolving. It’s always a good idea to stay informed and adaptable. As new tools and features come and go, the key is to continue focusing on delivering valuable, relevant content and ensuring that your website remains user-friendly.
If you have any questions or need more information about this update, feel free to email me or reach out to me on my LinkedIn handle platforms. Staying engaged with these resources can help ensure you’re always in the loop with the latest search trends and updates.
Final Thoughts
While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to the site links search box, this change reflects the natural progression of technology and user behaviour. What once was a go-to tool for users has now become an outdated feature. As search continues to evolve, it’s likely that new innovations will arise to better meet the needs of both users and website owners alike.
So, while we bid farewell to this decade-long feature, we can look forward to what the future of search holds. After all, Google has always been about delivering the best possible experience for its users—and that means constantly refining and simplifying the search results page.
Reference Links
- Farewell, Sitelinks Search Box From Google Search Central
- Google Search to drop Sitelinks Search Box from Search Engine Land
- Google To Retire Sitelinks Search Box In November from Search Engine Journal