In a significant update, Google has announced that the Sitelinks Search Box will be removed from search results starting November 21, 2024. Initially introduced over ten years ago, the feature allowed users to search within a website directly from the Google search results page. However, due to a noticeable drop in usage, Google has decided to simplify the user experience by discontinuing this visual element globally across all search results, languages, and countries.
What Does This Mean for Developers and Website Owners?
If your website uses the Sitelinks Search Box, there’s no need to panic. Google has assured us that this change will not impact search rankings or other site link elements. Additionally, removing the feature will not generate errors in the Search Console or affect your site’s SEO performance.
Here are the key points to be aware of:
- No Impact on Rankings: Removing the Sitelinks Search Box will not affect your website’s ranking on Google. The other site links visual elements will continue to function as before.
- Search Console Updates: Once the Sitelinks Search Box is removed, Google will also eliminate the rich results report for the feature in Search Console. Additionally, the markup will no longer be highlighted in the Rich Results Test, further simplifying reporting for developers.
- Structured Data: While Google will no longer support Sitelinks Search Box structured data, removing it from your site is unnecessary. Unsupported structured data will not generate errors or warnings in the Search Console. If you remove the structured data, remember that Google still supports variations of WebSite structured data, which is essential for site names and other structured content.
Why Is Google Making This Change?
Google’s decision to phase out the Sitelinks Search Box comes from observing a decline in usage. With users now more accustomed to intuitive website designs and internal search functionalities, the need for a Sitelinks Search Box has diminished. Google always strives to simplify and enhance user experience, and removing outdated or underutilized features is part of that process.
This change reflects Google’s commitment to decluttering search results and improving users’ overall experience. By removing unnecessary elements, Google allows websites to focus on providing more seamless and direct navigation through their own on-site search features.
What Should You Do Now?
No immediate action is required if your website currently uses the Sitelinks Search Box structured data. The structured data will not cause any issues even after removing the feature from search results. However, you can safely remove the structured data if you prefer to clean up unnecessary code.
Remember that while the Sitelinks Search Box is going away, WebSite structured data continues to be supported for site names. Ensure your website’s structured data is optimized for other features and rich results, ensuring it remains findable and optimized for Google Search.
Stay Connected
Google encourages developers and website owners to stay informed about this change by joining the Search Central Help Community or engaging with Google on social media for any additional questions. As always, Google continues to evolve its platform to align with user behavior, and keeping up with these updates ensures your website remains optimized for the future of search.
In summary, removing the Sitelinks Search Box is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to streamline search results and improve user experience. While this feature will no longer be available after November 2024, it won’t impact your site’s rankings or SEO. Focus on optimizing other aspects of your site and ensuring your structured data remains up-to-date to continue thriving in Google’s search ecosystem.
