Farewell to Google's Cache Links: A Shift in Internet Navigation

Google bids adieu to page cache links, citing improved internet reliability. Explore the impact on SEO professionals, news gatherers, and the online community.

Gobind Arora
Published on: 5 Feb 2024 5:37 AM GMT
Farewell to Googles Cache Links: A Shift in Internet Navigation
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In a significant move, Google has officially retired links to page caches from its search results page, as confirmed by the company's search liaison, Danny Sullivan. The 'Cached' feature, known for letting users view a webpage as Google sees it, played a crucial role in various scenarios, from troubleshooting website issues for SEO professionals to serving as a valuable news gathering tool for reporters.

Historically, the 'Cached' button could be accessed through the "About this result" panel or by appending "cache:" to a URL in the search bar. This feature was particularly useful not only for diagnosing slow-loading pages but also for keeping tabs on competitors or accessing blocked websites in regions where a VPN might not be a viable option.

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The gradual removal of Google's cache links began a couple of months ago and is still in progress. Initially noted by Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable in December, the disappearance of these links was officially confirmed by Danny Sullivan at the end of January. Additionally, the "cache:" search operator, known to avid users, will also be phased out in the near future.

While the cache links are being bid farewell, this move doesn't come as a surprise. In early 2021, Google's developer relations engineer, Martin Splitt, referred to the cached view as a "basically unmaintained legacy feature," foreshadowing the eventual discontinuation.

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Despite the removal, Google has not outlined immediate plans for a replacement. Sullivan hints at the possibility of adding links to the Internet Archive, providing users with a means to track how a webpage has evolved over time. However, he emphasizes that this is a speculative notion and involves discussions with external entities.

This shift marks a change in how users navigate the internet, highlighting Google's commitment to streamlining its features. As the online community adapts to the absence of cache links, SEO professionals, reporters, and regular users are left to explore alternative methods for accessing webpages in a manner similar to Google's perspective.

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Gobind Arora

Gobind Arora

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