Google Expands Sitelinks Beyond Top Search Result

Apr 16, 2009 at 3:39pm ET by Matt McGee

You’ve probably seen it yourself already, and now Google has confirmed some changes to how sitelinks appear in their search results.

In the past, sitelinks only showed below the No. 1 listing in the search results, and they typically appeared in two columns with up to eight total links. That won’t change, but moving forward, it’s also not the only way sitelinks will show up. There are two changes:

Sitelinks might now show for several listings, not just the top listing on a search results page
They might appear as a single row of up to four sitelinks, rather than in two columns

Google uses the example of a search for nutrition to show this in action:

sitelinks

You can continue to use Webmaster Central to block a page from appearing as a site link. Google says they’re speeding up the response to block requests, and planning to add the ability to block sitelinks that show up below pages other than your home page.

Matt McGee is the Search Engine Land Assignment Editor, and offers search marketing consulting and training to businesses of all sizes. He blogs at Small Business Search Marketing and HyperlocalBlogger.com.

See more articles by Matt McGee >

Share, Bookmark & Discuss This Article
More:

Keep Updated: News Via Email | News Via RSS Feed | News Via Twitter

See more stories like this in the Members Library! Check out the Google: SEO, Google: Sitelinks, Google: User Interface, Google: Web Search sections of the Members Library where this story is filed. Members also get access to exclusive video content, a members-only weekly & monthly newsletter, plus more. Check out all the benefits!

Comments are closed.

TOP STORIES

See All »

SEARCH NEWS BRIEFS

See All »

FEATURES & ANALYSIS

See All »

RECENT COMMENTS

Stupidscript said " "..I can’t see anything that would explain the apparently large difference in CTR between these two "
allenkristina said " We agree, you never know what in search is going to work until you test it!"
webliquidgroup said " Very interesting use of Toyota's misfortunes, to illustrate best practices in PPC management! What's"

See All »

See How To Articles And More In Our Members Library »

FREE DAILY SEARCH NEWS RECAP!

Stay on top of all the search news with our daily summary, the SearchCap newsletter. View a sample ›

STAY CURRENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY

The Search Engine Land feed keeps you informed as news happens. SEE ALL FEEDS »

SEARCH ENGINE LAND SPONSORS

Advertise With Us »

UPCOMING SEARCH ENGINE LAND CONFERENCES

Search Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.

SMX Web Site » | SMX Difference » | SMX News »

Join us at an upcoming SMX event:

UPCOMING SEARCH ENGINE LAND WEBCASTS

Learn more about search marketing with our free online webcasts and webinars from our sister site, Search Marketing Now. Upcoming online events include: