The introduction of this feature may spark debate among SEO experts, who have traditionally optimized their links to appear on the first page of Google Search results. The move also suggests that Google believes the future of search may not necessarily involve surfacing links to websites, but could include other forms of content or AI responses. The impact of these changes on industries that rely on clicks and visitors is yet to be determined.
Key takeaways:
- Google is introducing a new “Web” filter that allows users to filter for text-based links in search results, similar to how they can currently filter for images, videos, news, or shopping.
- The new filter will appear either at the top of the results page or as part of the “More” option, depending on the search query.
- Google's move is an acknowledgment that users sometimes prefer to see text-based links to web pages, especially if they're looking for longer-form text documents or using a device with limited internet access.
- The introduction of the “Web” filter could cause debate among the SEO community, which has historically worked to optimize their links to appear on the first page of Google Search results.