This will not change sitelinks, but it will change the search box sitelinks feature. The Sitelinks Search Box, which you can see under some search result excerpts for some types of questions, is being phased out by Google. This function has been around for ten years, but it will no longer be available on Google in any language or area as of November 21, 2024. The removal of the Sitelinks Search emphasizes the importance of user-generated content, as engaging and relevant site content becomes even more critical
What is a Sitelinks Search Box?
People can search your site or app right away on the search results page with a sitelinks search. Google said that the search box has real-time ideas and other features.
What Google Said About Sitelinks Search Box?
Google said on the Search Central blog that it was taking it down because it was not being used. “We have seen that usage has gone down over time.”
Google said that they would be taking away this visible feature starting November 21, 2024, to “help simplify the search results.” It said it will happen in all search results, in all languages and countries around the world.
Possible Effects of Sitelinks Search Box Removal
Google says that taking away the sitelinks search box will not change how other sitelinks are shown or how search results are ranked.
This change only affects how the site looks and has no effect on where it ranks in search results.
Affect on Rankings
Google said this will not change your search ranks or the other sitelinks that show up in the search results. “This will not be shown in the Search status dashboard and will not change rankings or sitelinks in any other way.”
Google Search Console
Search engine Google is getting rid of the Search Console rich results report for the Sitelinks Search box. In the Google Rich Results Test, Google will also stop showing the code.
But Google also said, “There is no need to do so.” You can take off sitelinks search box organized data from your site. “This kind of structured data that is not supported will not give you any problems in Search or in your Search Console reports.” Google also said, “If you decide to get rid of the sitelinks search box structured data, keep in mind that site names also use a version of WebSite structured data that will still work.”
Strategy About Structured Data
You can take down the sitelinks search box organized data on their sites, but Google says you do not need to. Structured data that is not enabled will not give you any problems in Search or in your Search Console results.
It is important to note that the organized data type “WebSite,” which is also used for site names, is still allowed.
Why Does This Update About Sitelinks Search Box Matter?
People can use the Sitelinks Search Box to quickly see what other pages on your website are linked to from the Google search results page. Google said that it was not used as much as it used to be, but if you used this tool a lot, it may have an effect on you.
People who own websites or work with SEO agencies should pay attention to this change, but they do not need to do anything right away.
If you are worried that Google will not give your users this directly in Google Search, you might want to make your internal search box stand out more.
Key Takeaways
In short, Google is getting rid of the Sitelinks Search Box as part of its ongoing work to make search results easier to use and enhance the user experience.
There will be no more of this feature after November 2024, but it will not have any effect on your site’s SEO or results. To keep doing well in Google’s search environment, work on improving other parts of your site. Digital Ad Experts make sure your organized data is always up to date.
Stay in Touch
Join the Search Central Help Community or talk to Google on social media if you have any more questions about this change. Google wants writers and website owners to stay up to date on it. As always, Google is changing its platform to match how people use it. Making sure you keep up with these changes will keep your website ready for the future of search.
