In November 2024, Google will retire the sitelinks search box feature, a decision that will change the way some website search results appear. This update has sparked conversations among website owners and SEO professionals alike, but how does it affect your SEO strategy, and what should you do next for Google sitelinks search box removal?
If you’re unsure how this change will impact your site’s performance or rankings, don’t worry—this guide covers everything you need to know, including practical steps to maintain your site’s SEO health.
What Is the Sitelinks Search Box?
The sitelinks search box, introduced in 2014, allowed users to search a specific website directly from Google’s search results. It appeared as a search bar beneath a site’s main link and allowed visitors to jump straight into content from Google’s results page without navigating to the homepage first.
Over time, this tool helped users find specific information from larger websites, especially when searching for well-known brands or companies.
Why Is Google Removing the Sitelinks Search Box?
Google cites declining usage as the primary reason for retiring the sitelinks search box. Over the years, fewer users took advantage of this feature, leading Google to decide it’s time for it to go. This change aligns with Google’s ongoing efforts to streamline its search result pages and make them less cluttered.
According to Google, this update is purely visual and will not impact search rankings. Sitelinks themselves—the smaller links to important sections of a website—will continue to display as usual, but the sitelinks search box will be gone starting November 21, 2024.
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.https://t.co/RocxcjyXi4 pic.twitter.com/sJO3stqdKJ
— Google Search Central (@googlesearchc) October 21, 2024
How Does the Removal of the Sitelinks Search Box Affect SEO?
The short answer: it doesn’t.
Google has confirmed that the removal of the sitelinks search box will not impact your site’s search rankings or the appearance of other sitelinks. This is a visual update, and websites will retain their positions in search results as long as their SEO strategies remain intact.
There’s also no need to remove the structured data related to the sitelinks search box. According to Google, leaving the schema markup in place won’t harm your site’s performance or trigger errors in Search Console reports.
However, it’s worth noting that the rich results report for the sitelinks search box will be removed from Google Search Console, and the Rich Results Test will no longer highlight the sitelinks search box markup.
What Should Website Owners Do?
Although this change won’t require significant action, it’s always a good idea to review your SEO practices whenever Google announces updates. Here are a few actionable steps to help you stay on top of this change:
1. Check Your Structured Data
While removing the sitelinks search box markup is unnecessary, it’s still a good idea to periodically review your website’s structured data for any improvements. Ensure that other important schema types, such as the WebSite structured data, are properly implemented and updated. This schema still supports site names and can boost your search engine visibility.
2. Monitor Search Console
Pay attention to any changes in Search Console metrics, even though this update is primarily visual. Keep an eye on your sitelinks to ensure they’re still functioning properly and that no unexpected errors are creeping in post-update.
3. Optimize Your Internal Search
If your website relies heavily on internal searches, ensure that your on-site search functionality is robust. Users may no longer see the sitelinks search box on Google, but they should still find it easy to locate content on your site directly.
Consider improving features like autocomplete or using better filters to help users find what they need quickly.
4. Focus on Content Quality
The removal of this feature shouldn’t take your focus away from what really matters—high-quality content. Continue producing valuable, optimized content that meets your audience’s needs and answers their questions, ensuring you maintain strong rankings, regardless of Google’s visual changes.
Real-World Example: Navigating Google’s Changes
Let’s take a look at a real-world scenario: A major e-commerce site noticed the sitelinks search box was instrumental for driving traffic to specific product categories. While this change won’t impact search results directly, the business took proactive steps by:
- Enhancing their internal search engine for better on-site navigation.
- Optimizing product category pages to ensure users can still find specific items with ease.
- Monitoring their Search Console data to make sure their sitelinks were still appearing correctly.
These adjustments allowed the business to keep user experience at the forefront without losing search visibility.
What to Expect After November 2024
Once the sitelinks search box is officially removed on November 21, 2024, here’s what you can expect:
- No drop in search rankings: As Google has emphasized, this change is visual and won’t affect rankings or SEO.
- Sitelinks will remain: Your site will still display sitelinks below your primary search result, guiding users to key pages.
- Structured data won’t cause issues: If you choose not to remove the sitelinks search box schema, it won’t result in errors in Search Console reports or affect your SEO negatively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will removing the sitelinks search box affect my SEO?
No, Google sitelinks search box removal won’t affect your site’s ranking or SEO performance. It’s purely visual and applies to the display of the sitelinks search box element.
2. Do I need to remove the sitelinks search box structured data from my site?
No, Google has confirmed that leaving the structured data for the sitelinks search box in place won’t cause issues or errors.
3. What’s the difference between sitelinks and the sitelinks search box?
Sitelinks are the additional links displayed under the main search result, leading to important sections of a website. The sitelinks search box allowed users to search a website directly from Google’s search results page. Only the search box is being removed.
4. Will Google update other tools like Search Console?
Yes, Google will remove the sitelinks search box from the Search Console rich results report and the Rich Results Test.
Conclusion: Preparing for the Removal of Google’s Sitelinks Search Box
Google’s decision to remove the sitelinks search box reflects its commitment to simplifying the user experience. While this change is significant from a visual standpoint, it won’t affect your site’s rankings or overall performance in search results. By focusing on high-quality content, internal search optimization, and maintaining structured data, you can continue thriving in the ever-evolving world of SEO.
Take this update as an opportunity to refine your SEO strategy and ensure your website is delivering a smooth, seamless experience for visitors—no matter what changes Google makes next.