Google Ends Support for Noarchive Meta Tag

Google is discontinuing support for the noarchive meta tag, coinciding with the removal of its cached page feature.

Key Points:

Google has taken down the documentation for the ‘noarchive’ tag.
The cache: search operator has been rendered ineffective.
There is no need to eliminate existing noarchive tags from webpages.

In a recent update to its Search Central documentation, Google has officially moved the ‘noarchive’ rule to a historical reference section, marking a significant shift in its approach to cached content.

The revised text in Google’s help document clearly states:

“The noarchive rule is no longer used by Google Search to manage the display of cached links in search results, as the cached link feature has been discontinued.”

This update indicates that the ‘noarchive’ tag, which was previously utilized to prevent Google from showing cached versions of web pages, is now obsolete.

This change aligns with Google’s earlier decision to remove the cache: search operator, a feature that allowed users to access cached versions of pages directly through search queries. The removal of both the cache feature and the noarchive rule suggests a move towards simplifying search functionalities and focusing on real-time content.

For website owners and SEO professionals, this means that the noarchive tag no longer needs to be a consideration in their strategies, as it will not affect how their pages appear in search results. This shift could also impact how users interact with search results, as cached links will no longer be part of the search experience. Overall, these changes reflect Google’s evolving approach to search and content management in an effort to streamline user experience.

Implications For Websites

Google has clarified that websites are not required to remove the ‘noarchive’ meta tag; however, it has pointed out that “other search engines and services may still use it.” This distinction suggests that while the tag may no longer hold significance in Google’s current search practices, it could still be relevant for other platforms.

For years, the ‘noarchive’ tag has been a key component of SEO strategies, allowing website owners to prevent search engines from storing cached versions of their pages. This feature has been particularly useful for sites that want to maintain control over how their content is presented and accessed by users.

The decision to relegate the ‘noarchive’ tag to a historical reference indicates the ongoing evolution of Google Search and its practices. As search engines adapt to changing user needs and technologies, tags that were once essential can become obsolete, reflecting the fluid nature of the digital landscape. This change serves as a reminder for website owners and SEO professionals to stay informed about evolving practices and adjust their strategies accordingly.

The Gradual Phasing Out of Cached Pages

The recent update to Google’s documentation marks a significant shift in the way the search engine manages cached pages, aligning with its ongoing strategy to phase out the cached page feature altogether.

In a move that reflects this strategy, Google removed the documentation for the cache: search operator last week. This operator previously allowed users to access Google’s stored versions of webpages, providing a quick way to view how a page appeared at a certain point in time. Google’s Search Liaison clarified on social media that this caching feature was initially designed to assist users in accessing pages when their load times were unreliable or when internet connectivity was poor.

However, as web technology has improved over the years, Google has concluded that this feature is no longer necessary. Users now have better access to web pages due to faster load times and more stable internet connections.

To address the need for historical context in webpage access, Google is now incorporating links to the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine within its “About this page” feature. This addition allows users to easily explore previous versions of webpages, ensuring they can still access the information they seek even if the current version has changed or is no longer available.

This update not only highlights Google’s commitment to evolving its services but also underscores the importance of providing users with reliable alternatives to access historical content on the web.

Controlling Archiving In The Wayback Machine

The ‘noarchive’ tag does not influence how the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine operates.

The Wayback Machine follows its own guidelines for archiving and exclusion, which are separate from Google’s policies. If website owners wish to prevent specific pages from being archived by the Wayback Machine, they have a few options available:

Robots.txt: By adding specific instructions to the robots.txt file, website owners can stop the Wayback Machine from crawling and archiving their pages. An example of this would be:
makefile
Copy code
User-agent: ia_archiver

Disallow: /

Direct Request: Website owners can reach out to the Internet Archive directly to request the removal of particular pages or entire domains from the Wayback Machine.
Password Protection: By placing content behind a login requirement, owners can effectively block it from being archived.

It’s important to note that these methods specifically apply to the Wayback Machine and are different from the now-deprecated ‘noarchive’ tag used by Google.

Conclusion

As search technology continues to evolve, it is not uncommon for legacy features to be retired in favour of more modern solutions that enhance user experience and efficiency.

This ongoing progress necessitates that industry professionals take a moment to reassess their strategies and best practices. Specifically, with Google’s recent decision to deprecate the noarchive tag, it is essential to update relevant best practice guides accordingly. Doing so will ensure that website owners and SEO practitioners are informed about current standards and can adapt their practices to align with the latest developments in search engine optimisation. By keeping these guides up to date, professionals can better navigate the changing landscape of search technology and maintain effective online visibility.