How to change sitelinks in Google search?
You can’t change sitelinks but these steps can help you influence Google to choose your preferred page.
When you search for your website on Google, you might notice additional links appearing under your main site listing.
These are known as site links, and they help users quickly navigate to key sections of your website. Google automatically selects these links based on what it determines to be the most useful for users, enhancing your site’s visibility and usability.
You don’t have direct control over Google site links.
But there are strategies you can use to influence which links Google displays. Optimizing your website’s internal linking structure can influence the site links displayed in Google search results. Understanding how to optimize your site for site links can significantly boost your SEO and improve user experience.
I’ll show you how but let’s the basics right first.
What are sitelinks?
In plain language, links that appear below the main title tag in search Google engine result pages are called sitelinks.
These are the links search engines like Google deems useful for users.
You can’t control site links that appear below the search result, as they are automatically generated by the search engine’s algorithm based on the site’s structure and user behavior data.
Don’t worry. You can guide them to the page you want.
Who should use sitelinks?
Businesses and website owners must use sitelinks.
Sitelinks can help them improve the site’s visibility, enhance user experience, and boost click-through rates. Having a clear site structure and descriptive title can influence Google’s selection of sitelinks.
There are two types of sitelinks in Google search.
When it comes to sitelinks in Google search results, there are generally two main types except for sponsored sitelinks:
1. Horizontal Sitelinks
Horizontal sitelinks are more common for less detailed queries.
- These are typically displayed in a row directly below the main search result.
- They use smaller fonts and are usually more compact.
- They provide quick links to a few key sections of the website.
Example: A search result might show the main website title and URL and, directly beneath it, horizontally aligned site links like “About Us,” “Services,” “Contact,” etc.
Advantage of Horizontal Sitelinks
Compact and Non-intrusive: They take up less space and provide quick access to key areas without overwhelming the user.
Quick Navigation: Ideal for users looking for fast access to the most commonly visited sections of a website.
Horizontal sitelinks are best for
Simpler Websites
Sites with fewer important sections or where most user queries can be addressed with a handful of links.
Mobile Users
The compact nature of horizontal sitelinks can be more mobile-friendly.
2. Vertical Sitelinks
Vertical Sitelinks are used for queries where more detailed navigation options are beneficial.
They often appear for branded searches or when the main site has multiple highly relevant pages that match the query.
- These appear below the main search result in a list format.
- They often use larger fonts and can include more detailed information.
- Vertical sitelinks can display a brief description or snippet of the linked page.
- They typically allow for more links to be shown compared to horizontal sitelinks.
Advantages of Vertical Sitelinks:
More Detailed: They often provide more information, including brief descriptions of the linked pages. It gives potential visitors more context as to what the page is all about.
Higher Visibility: Their prominent placement and larger font size can attract more attention and potentially increase click-through rates.
Vertical Sitelinks are best for:
Complex Websites
Sites with many important sections or diverse content might benefit from detailed navigation options.
Brand Searches:
When users search for a brand, vertical sitelinks can provide a comprehensive overview of the main sections, enhancing the user experience.
How to change sitelinks in Google search?
To answer this question plainly, you cannot directly change the sitelinks in Google search results.
However, you can influence which site links are displayed by optimizing your website structure. Ensuring your website has a clear and logical hierarchy can improve the visibility of desired site links.
7 Quick Step-by-Step Guide to Change Your Sitelinks in Google Search
Improve Site Structure:
- Ensure your website has a clear and logical hierarchy.
- A clear site architecture with logical navigation and hierarchy can improve Google’s ability to generate your preferred sitelinks.
Optimize Internal Linking:
- Create a strong internal linking strategy to highlight important pages.
- Link to key pages prominently from the homepage and other high-traffic pages.
Use Descriptive Titles and Meta Descriptions:
- Ensure each page has a descriptive title tag and meta description.
- This helps Google understand the content and relevance of each page.
- Use descriptive headings, subheadings, and anchor text.
Submit an XML Sitemap:
- Create and submit an XML sitemap to GSC.
- Submitting a sitemap allows Google to crawl and index your site more effectively.
Add Structured Data:
- Using structured data markup can provide Google with a better understanding of your site’s content. It can result in enhanced visibility and relevance of your sitelinks.
- Use tools like the Schema Pro plugin for easy integration, if you’re using WordPress.
Monitor in Google Search Console:
- Regularly check your site’s performance and sitelinks in Google Search Console.
- While the option to demote sitelinks has been removed, you can still gain insights and make necessary adjustments.
Focus on User Experience:
- Make your site easy for potential visitors to navigate through.
- A positive user experience can influence how Google perceives and displays your site.
What kinds of pages are commonly shown in sitelinks?
Important sections of a website are commonly shown in sitelinks.
These typically include pages like About Us, Contact, Services, Products, and Blog, which help users quickly access key information. Sitelinks are selected by Google based on the site’s structure and the relevance of its content, aiming to enhance user experience by providing direct links to the most useful parts of the site. Optimizing these pages with clear titles and relevant content can improve their chances of being featured in sitelinks.
Ultimately, sitelinks guide users to the most important areas of a website, improving navigation and engagement.
