Google says goodbye to Sitelinks Search Box

Remember that handy little search box that sometimes appeared below Google search results? The one that let you search a specific website directly from the results page? Well, Google removed it from search results pages earlier this year, and now they're tidying up by removing all the related documentation.

Google introduced the sitelinks search box back in 2014, but it seems it wasn't quite as popular as they hoped. Due to declining usage, Google decided to discontinue the feature, and now they're cleaning house by removing all the associated documentation.

So, what exactly does this mean for your website and your SEO strategy? Let's dive in.

What's changing?

Google has confirmed two key changes, both took effect on November 21, 2024:

• Complete removal of the sitelinks search box documentation. You won't find any mention of it in their official guidelines anymore.

• Archival of the nositelinkssearchbox rule. This rule, which previously allowed website owners to opt out of the feature, is now obsolete and has been archived.

Essentially, Google is cleaning house and making sure their technical documentation is up-to-date. They're streamlining things by removing outdated material.

Why is Google doing this?

The main reason? Declining usage.

In their own words: "It's been over ten years since we initially announced the sitelinks search box in Google Search, and over time, we’ve noticed that usage has dropped. With that, and to help simplify the search results, we’ll be removing this visual element starting on November 21, 2024."

What this means for you

First, don't worry! If you already have structured data markup for the sitelinks search box on your website, you can leave it there. It won't cause any technical issues. However, Google simply won't use it.

The key takeaway? Stop investing time in implementing or maintaining sitelinks search box functionality. It's time to move on and focus your SEO efforts elsewhere.

Here's what you should do:

• Update your internal documentation and guidelines. Remove any outdated information about the sitelinks search box.

• Focus on other ways to improve your website's search functionality. This includes optimising your site architecture, internal linking, and navigation. Make it easy for users to find what they're looking for on your site.

It's important to remember that this change doesn't affect your website's rankings or other sitelinks. Google has explicitly stated this: "We’re saying bye to the sitelinks search box in Google Search results starting Nov 21, 2024, as usage has dropped. This doesn’t affect rankings or other sitelinks. The corresponding markup doesn’t need to be removed, but won’t be used by Google." So, no need to panic!

Looking ahead

Who knows what Google will come up with next? You can adapt your SEO strategies and ensure your website stays visible in search results by keeping your finger on the pulse.

Contact Envigo today for a free consultation. We can help you develop a 360-degree SEO strategy that drives traffic to your website and achieves your business goals.