Google is retiring sitelinks search box feature to simplify your search experience

For years, Google has offered a convenient sitelinks search box within some search results, allowing users to search directly within specific websites from Google’s main page.

However, this feature is set to be discontinued on November 21, 2024, due to a significant drop in usage. Google first introduced the sitelinks search box over a decade ago, but as its relevance has faded, the company has decided to remove the feature to simplify the search results experience.

The sitelinks search box appeared beneath certain search results, giving users a quick way to find content within sites like Wikipedia or other popular platforms directly from Google.

While it was a useful tool for some, like myself—one of the few who consistently took advantage of the feature—many users never noticed or used it. This lack of engagement led Google to conclude that most people prefer searching within a website’s own search bar rather than through a secondary Google-generated box.

While some site owners may have benefited from the extra traffic generated by these direct searches, the removal of the sitelinks search box is expected to cause minimal disruption overall.

Google’s decision aligns with its broader efforts to streamline the search experience and focus on more impactful features as it integrates AI into its search engine and makes internal changes to its search team.

Though the sitelinks search box will soon join the long list of retired Google features, the change reflects Google’s ongoing commitment to simplifying and evolving its platform in line with user behaviour.