After more than a decade, Google has announced that it will retire the sitelinks search box feature from search results on November 21, 2024. The decision comes as usage of the feature has significantly declined, prompting Google to simplify the search experience.
What Is the Sitelinks Search Box?
The sitelinks search box is an embedded search field that appears below specific search results, allowing users to perform site-specific searches directly from Google’s main search page. While once a valuable tool, its declining use has made it less relevant over time.
Key Details of the Update
- Global Rollout: The removal of the sitelinks search box will apply across all languages and regions.
- No Impact on Rankings: This change does not affect search rankings or other sitelinks visual elements.
- Search Console Changes:
- Google will remove the sitelinks search box report from Search Console.
- The Rich Results Test will no longer highlight sitelinks search box structured data.
Should You Remove Sitelinks Search Box Markup?
There’s no requirement to remove sitelinks search box structured data from your site. Unsupported structured data won’t cause errors or negatively impact Search Console reports. However, if you choose to clean up outdated code:
- Be aware that site names still rely on a variation of WebSite structured data, which remains supported and should not be removed.
Why Is Google Making This Change?
Google’s goal is to enhance simplicity and relevance in its search results. By removing underutilized features like the sitelinks search box, the company can focus on refining and improving other aspects of the search experience.
