Observed Signal · Oct 22, 2024 · Deprecation · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Google Drops Sitelinks Search Box Worldwide
Google will retire the Sitelinks Search Box from search results worldwide on November 21, 2024, along with its related markup and the Rich Results Report. The Sitelinks Search Box was introduced in 2014 to display source-linked results for sitelinks, but Google notes its usage has declined and it is no longer considered important for searchers. SEO practitioners are advised that the site-name markup (a variation of WebSite structured data) will continue to be supported, though the Sitelinks markup will no longer influence rankings. In Search Console, the Rich Results Report for the Sitelinks Search Box will be removed in November, and the markup will not be supported in the Rich Results Test. Rankings are not expected to be affected. Google is shifting focus to AI-driven discovery features like AI Overviews, Lens enhancements, and Circle to Search. Sundar Pichai commented on these updates on Oct 3, 2024.
Moderate impact; removal of Sitelinks Search Box; not expected to affect rankings
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Google will remove the Sitelinks Search Box worldwide on November 21, 2024.
- The associated markup and the Rich Results Report will be removed.
- Site-name markup (a variation of WebSite structured data) will continue to be supported.
- In Search Console, the Rich Results Report for the Sitelinks Search Box will be removed; markup will no longer be supported in Rich Results Test.
- Rankings are not expected to be affected; users will not see the Sitelinks Search Box in SERPs.
- Google is emphasizing AI-driven features such as AI Overviews, Lens, and Circle to Search; Sundar Pichai tweeted about these updates on Oct 3, 2024.
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