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    Google Pulls Related Searches Filter Due To Lack Of Usage

    Google has quietly removed the “related searches” option from the search tools menu within the Google search results page. When Google launched search options in October 2009, the option for “related searches” appeared on the left-hand side under the “standard view.” The placement of the “related searches” search option has changed over the years, including […]

    related-searches-goneGoogle has quietly removed the “related searches” option from the search tools menu within the Google search results page.

    When Google launched search options in October 2009, the option for “related searches” appeared on the left-hand side under the “standard view.” The placement of the “related searches” search option has changed over the years, including the whole search filters being moved to the top in November 2012; but, the ability to find related searches remained.

    That has ended last week, when Google decided to remove the feature. Google told us that they “weren’t seeing enough usage of this filter to maintain it in the toolbar.” Google did add that it did not completely go away, like always, when it is relevant, Google will show “related searches” directly within the search results, typically at the bottom. Google told us, “we do display related searches at the bottom of the page when they seem relevant enough.”

    AJ Kohn first spotted this on his blog and explained how this removes a useful, related keyword tool for many marketers.


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    About the Author

    Barry Schwartz
    Barry Schwartz is a technologist and a Contributing Editor to Search Engine Land and a member of the programming team for SMX events. He owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics.

    In 2019, Barry was awarded the Outstanding Community Services Award from Search Engine Land, in 2018 he was awarded the US Search Awards the "US Search Personality Of The Year," you can learn more over here and in 2023 he was listed as a top 50 most influential PPCer by Marketing O'Clock.

    Barry can be followed on X here and you can learn more about Barry Schwartz over here or on his personal site.