Google App Introduces Page Annotations: New Search Links Feature

Google's New Page Annotations Feature for iOS

The Google App for iOS has recently introduced a new feature called "Page Annotations" which enhances user interaction by automatically converting selected website text into clickable links that lead to relevant Google Search results. This feature, as detailed in a community announcement spotted by SERoundtable, aims to extract interesting entities from the webpage and highlight them in context.

How Page Annotations Work

When a user taps on the highlighted entities, they are redirected to the corresponding search results, creating a seamless transition from browsing to searching. This method of inserting links can potentially drive more traffic to Google's search engine but raises questions around user consent and publisher rights.

Opting Out of Page Annotations

Web publishers who prefer not to participate in this automatic linking feature can opt out by filling out a form provided by Google. The opt-out request will take effect within 30 days, ensuring that site owners have control over whether their site’s content is linked to Google's search results. It's important to note that publishers must submit all variations of their site (e.g., www, non-www, http, https, and subdomains) to ensure full compliance.

Comparisons to Google's Ad Intents

This feature aligns with the "ad intents" that Google launched earlier in the year for its AdSense platform, where links are placed based on relevance but require website owners to opt in. In contrast, the Page Annotations tool operates automatically unless a publisher explicitly opts out, presenting a significant shift in Google's approach to content interaction.

Conclusion

As Google continues to innovate in search functionality, the Page Annotations feature on the iOS app could mark a new chapter in the intersection of web browsing and search. Web publishers should be aware of this update and consider the implications it has for their content and user engagement.

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