On October 21, 2024, Google announced the upcoming removal of the sitelinks search box feature, set to go live on November 21, 2024. This change will affect all global search results. (source)
The Evolution of the Sitelinks Search Box
Introduced over a decade ago, the sitelinks search box was created to streamline navigation by allowing users to search directly within a specific website from the Google search results page. This feature was useful for websites with extensive content, enabling users to reach the content they wanted faster. However, Google has noticed that usage of this feature has gradually declined, and, in an effort to simplify search results, they’ve made the decision to retire it.
What’s Changing on November 21, 2024?
Global Removal Across All Languages and Regions:
Starting November 21, the sitelinks search box will no longer appear in any search results, regardless of language or region. This visual element is being phased out entirely to simplify the user experience on Google Search.
Impact on Search Console and Structured Data Reporting:
With the removal of this feature, Google will also eliminate its related reporting and support:
- Search Console: The “rich results” report specific to sitelinks search boxes will be discontinued.
- Rich Results Test Tool: Markup for the sitelinks search box will no longer be highlighted in the Rich Results Test tool, meaning Google will stop supporting it as a structured data element.
No Changes to Site Rankings or Sitelinks Display:
The removal of the sitelinks search box will not impact search rankings or the presence of other sitelinks beneath a search result. This change is purely visual and does not alter how sites are ranked or displayed.
Structured Data Management Recommendations:
While the sitelinks search box feature will no longer be supported, there’s no need to remove its structured data from your site. Unsupported structured data won’t generate errors in Search Console or create indexing issues. However, if you want to keep your structured data up-to-date, removing sitelinks search box data is optional.
Continuing Support for WebSite Structured Data for Site Names:
Although the sitelinks search box structured data will no longer be necessary, Google still supports the WebSite structured data markup, which can be used to specify a site’s name in search results.
How This Affects Site Owners and SEOs
If you or your SEO team utilized the sitelinks search box, here’s what to consider:
- No Immediate Action Required: Google has confirmed that removing the structured data markup for sitelinks search boxes is optional, and keeping it will not harm search performance or produce errors.
- Possible Structured Data Updates: For those who prefer to keep their structured data fully aligned with Google’s recommendations, you may wish to remove the sitelinks search box structured data from your site. However, this is not mandatory.
- Future of Rich Results Optimization: As Google continues to focus on enhancing user experience, site owners may want to explore other rich result opportunities, like FAQ markup, product markup, or video content, to stand out in search results.
Google’s Support Resources
For questions, Google invites webmasters and SEOs to connect via their Search Central help community or reach out on social media. Engaging in these forums can help you stay updated on best practices as Google’s search landscape evolves.
With this shift, Google is reinforcing its commitment to refining the search experience for users and maintaining a simpler, cleaner interface. While this change may signify the end of an era for the sitelinks search box, Google’s evolution in search remains focused on delivering the best user experience possible.