Google Set to Retire Sitelinks Search Box in November

Google has confirmed that it will discontinue the sitelinks search box feature starting in November, primarily due to a significant drop in its usage. The sitelinks search box, which allows users to search within a website directly from Google’s search results, has seen declining engagement in recent years. Despite its removal, this change will not affect overall search rankings or the visibility of other sitelinks that appear in search results.

Importantly, website owners do not need to take any steps to remove the structured data linked to the sitelinks search box feature. The existing structured data will remain in place, but it will no longer serve the sitelinks search box functionality. Google emphasised that this is purely a change to a minor feature and will not impact how websites perform in search results.

While the sitelinks search box is being phased out, the removal will not disrupt rankings or require any adjustments from webmasters. Other sitelinks within Google’s search results will continue to function as normal, ensuring a seamless experience for users.

Google recently announced that it will retire the sitelinks search box feature, a tool that has been part of its search engine for over a decade. The change is scheduled to take effect on November 21 and will mark the end of a feature introduced in 2014. The sitelinks search box allowed users to perform site-specific searches directly from Google’s main search results page. This feature usually appeared above the sitelinks for certain websites, particularly when users searched for well-known businesses or brands.

Although the sitelinks search box provided a convenient way for users to find information within specific websites, Google has stated that declining usage led to its decision to phase out the feature. Over the years, the tool has seen less engagement from users, making it less relevant in today’s search landscape. The rise of more efficient search functionalities and improved website navigation options may have contributed to this decline in use.

Despite the removal of the sitelinks search box, Google has assured users and webmasters that this change will not affect search rankings. The display of regular sitelinks in search results will remain unchanged, and the overall search ranking system will not be impacted. Google also confirmed that websites will not need to take any action or remove the structured data associated with the sitelinks search box. The removal will be handled automatically without any manual intervention required from site owners.

For many websites, especially larger brands and businesses, the sitelinks search box was a useful tool to direct users to relevant content within their site. However, as browsing behaviour has evolved, users now rely more on search engines or a website’s own navigation tools to find the information they need. This shift in user habits might explain why the feature’s usage has decreased over time.

In summary, while the sitelinks search box will no longer be available after November, the overall user experience on Google will remain intact. Other sitelinks will continue to display as they currently do, and search rankings will not be impacted by this change. The decision reflects Google’s ongoing efforts to refine its search tools based on how users interact with its platform, ensuring that only the most relevant features remain in use.

Declining Usage

Google has cited declining usage as the primary reason for its decision to retire the sitelinks search box feature. The company acknowledged this trend, stating, “Over time, we’ve noticed that usage has dropped.” This decline suggests that users are increasingly opting for other methods to navigate websites rather than relying on this specific search tool. By removing the sitelinks search box, Google aims to streamline its search results and enhance the overall user experience, focusing on more effective features that align with current user behaviour. This decision reflects the company’s ongoing effort to adapt to changing preferences in how people search for information online.

Potential Impact

Google has confirmed that the decision to remove the sitelinks search box will not impact search rankings for websites or the display of other sitelinks in search results. This move is intended to streamline the search experience for users, and Google reassures webmasters that their site’s visibility will remain unchanged.

The sitelinks search box was designed to allow users to perform site-specific searches directly from Google’s search results page. However, as part of its ongoing efforts to improve user experience, Google has determined that the feature has become less beneficial over time. With its removal, users will still have access to other forms of sitelinks that provide helpful navigation options.

This change is primarily visual and does not have any bearing on a site’s overall search performance. Webmasters can rest assured that they do not need to modify any structured data related to sitelinks, as this will continue to function as before. Overall, this adjustment reflects Google’s commitment to optimising its search interface while maintaining the integrity of its ranking system.

Implementation

This update is set to be implemented worldwide, impacting search results across all languages and countries. Google has clarified that this change will not be reflected in the Search status dashboard, suggesting that it is not regarded as a major algorithmic update.

The decision to roll out this update globally indicates Google’s commitment to a consistent search experience for users, regardless of their location or language preferences. Since it is not classified as a significant update, webmasters and site owners can anticipate minimal disruption to their existing search performance.

By not including this update in the Search status dashboard, Google aims to ensure that users and website owners remain informed about only the most impactful changes to the search algorithm. This approach allows for a smoother transition as the sitelinks search box is phased out without causing undue concern in the search community.

Search Console & Rich Results Test

After the sitelinks search box is removed, Google will make updates to several related tools.

Firstly, the rich results report for the sitelinks search box in the Search Console will be eliminated. This means that users will no longer see specific data or insights related to the sitelinks search box feature in their reports.

Additionally, the Rich Results Test tool will be updated to no longer highlight the markup associated with the sitelinks search box. This change indicates a shift in how Google will handle and report on this feature moving forward.

Structured Data Considerations

Google has stated that while website owners have the option to remove the sitelinks search box structured data from their sites, it is not necessary to do so.

The presence of unsupported structured data will not lead to any problems in search results, nor will it generate errors in Search Console reports.

It’s important to highlight that the ‘WebSite’ structured data, which is also utilised for site names, remains supported and will continue to function as intended.

Historical Context

The sitelinks search box was launched in September 2014 as a significant improvement aimed at helping users quickly find specific content on various websites. This feature was designed to streamline the search process, allowing users to perform site-specific searches directly from the Google results page.

One of the key functionalities of the sitelinks search box was its support for autocomplete, which suggested search terms as users typed, making it even easier to locate desired information. Additionally, website owners could implement schema markup, a structured data format that enhanced how their content was presented in search results. This integration allowed for a more seamless user experience, linking users directly to relevant sections of a website without needing to navigate through multiple pages.

Overall, the introduction of the sitelinks search box marked an important evolution in how users interacted with search engines, emphasising the need for efficiency and accessibility in finding specific information online.