Google Site Search

Google Site Search has been a highly popular feature for many businesses, as a way to implement the benefits of Google’s search engine onto their very own business website. It was a prime opportunity for businesses to offer their website visitors a way to search for results without having to navigate through ads. Furthermore, managed by the right SEO agency, this site search option would be a huge positive for SEO strategy and b2b SEO strategy.

Despite the popularity and positive features of Google Site Search since its release back in 2008, this technology was officially ended in April 2017.

The End of Google Site Search

Yes, the news of Google Site Search ending has thrown a lot of businesses and their SEO strategies into a state of requiring a rethink. Google’s Site Search was a beneficial tool for providing fast and efficient search results to website visitors, thereby also improving the content and appeal of the business websites which housed this feature, as well as improving overall usability.

This means that businesses and their aligned Search Engine Optimisation services had to consider alternative measures for a feature such as Google Site Search.

So, What’s the Alternative?

Following the disappointing news that Google Site Search would be ended, Google made the decision to automatically move all customers of this feature over to a free alternative: namely, Google Custom Search engine. While the principle of being a free feature is undoubtedly appealing, this alternative does mean that particular advertisements are permitted to show. In contrast, none were allowed before – a defining positive feature of Google’s original Site Search. That being said, Custom Search has made it clear that there is the ability to ensure that no competitor advertisements are permitted to show, and the right SEO service can help to understand competitor behaviour and linksHyperlinks, also known as links, are the connection points on a webpage that take you to other webpages., too.

While Google Custom Search is undoubtedly an acceptable alternative which works in a very similar way, it also has its drawbacks, such as the inability to search only for images or to prevent adverts from showing altogether.

Using Google Custom Search

There will always be positives and negatives to using a service like Google Custom Search, especially in comparison to its predecessor, Site Search. However, Google Custom Search can still be implemented easily into your business website as an extra feature for its users. If you’re unsure where to start, a b2b SEO agency and SEO specialist is always ready to help.

Benefits of Using Google Custom Search

It’s free. As mentioned above, Google Custom Search is completely free. This could be a big money-saver if your business was previously paying for the privilege of Google Site Search. Having the option of a custom searchability on your website for no extra cost can be considered a boon.

It can eliminate competitor advertisements. While ads can’t, unfortunately, be eliminated altogether, it can still be assured that no competitor ads will be shown on your website and ensure that visitors stay where they’re supposed to be on your business page.

It can be customised to suit your website. Design is a critical component of your business website, and if you’ve worked very to have the design of your website up to scratch, then you want your custom search option to be aligned with that. Google Custom Search can be customised to match the design of your website to enhance consistency and aesthetic appeal, too.

It can search the entire web. This means more thorough result options and a more comprehensive search capability.

Negatives of Using Google Custom Search

Advertisements are non–negotiable. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about them, and, while filtering out competitor ads is a possibility, that’s the only control you will have over any advertisements shown.

The entire web searchability may serve to overwhelm users. While this feature, of course, provides more detailed result options, it can also serve to offer a little too much, thereby confusing, and overwhelming users with potential options.

There is a daily limit on JSON API. This search tool is essential for storing and managing information which can then be accessed. There is the ability for 100 search queries to be entered a day for free, using Google Custom Search. 100 searches are the limit for free searching.

You will be charged for going over the limit. Once the limit for 100 searches has been reached, you will then be charged for every 1000 queries, to a limit of up to 10,000 queries a day. Naturally, this isn’t ideal when you are trying to drive more users and more traffic to your website, which thereby will result in more searches being made.

You can’t eliminate the Google branding. It’s always good to have your website built with its own branding in mind. While Google is a trusted source, it can serve to stand out a little when you have the Google branding and logo in the middle of your site.

If you are unsure whether Google Custom Search is right for you based on the pros and cons, or if you would like to speak to an SEO expert regarding your custom search options or alternatives, we at Click Intelligence can help you. Your SEO will significantly benefit from any sort of custom site tool, so be sure to speak to us about an alternative if you don’t feel that Google Custom Search specifically is right for you. SEO services will always recommend including a custom search option to improve the SEO of your business website.

How an SEO Expert Can Help You

No matter which site search engine you use, it can be an overwhelming process for those not accustomed to how to set up and run such a tool. You shouldn’t have to compromise on a site search tool being included on your site if you’re not comfortable in running it, therefore seeing an SEO specialist to take care of it for you will be a huge advantage.

Contact Click Intelligence Today

Let us be your chosen search engine marketing agency to assist with any Site Search needs and more. Our team of SEO experts know how to best implement Site Search engines to your business website and how to manage it within your optimised strategy, with an SEO b2b focus, content writing services and more.