Woe to small connections: Google is removing a feature that was essential to them, for the simple reason that everyone has access to broadband.
JVTech News Woe to small connections: Google is removing a feature that was essential to them, for the simple reason that everyone has access to broadband.
Google is moving forward, but leaves behind a very practical feature for people with (very) weak connections.
End of cached version of Google
Google, often considered one of the pioneers of the Internet, recently announced the removal of the iconic feature from its search results: Cached versions of websites. The decision, while surprising to some, is part of the Mountain View firm’s desire to get rid of features deemed obsolete in the face of the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Since early December, Google has gradually removed the ability to access cached versions of websites from search results. This feature, which allows you to see a version of the site as Google sees it, was especially popular among web professionals. It offers valuable perspective on improving a site’s SEO and correcting potential performance issues.
Improved connectivity, but loss of modest connections
The announcement of the disappearance of the cached version was confirmed by Google on the social network Twitter. According to the firm, this functionality has lost its relevance in the current era of the web, where connectivity has evolved significantly. In its statement, Google said:
Today things have improved a lot. So we have decided to remove this feature.
Hey, catch up. Yes, it has been removed. I know, it’s sad. I am also sad. It is one of our oldest features. But back when it was meant to help people access pages, you often couldn’t rely on page loading. These days, things have improved a lot. Therefore, it was decided that…
— Google Search Liaison (@searchliaison) February 1, 2024
Initially, cached versions were designed to allow users to view sites from Google without loading the entire site. This approach was particularly useful in difficult connection situations, where loading the page completely could be cumbersome. Additionally, it was a valuable tool for tracking changes to a website in real time or bypassing regional blocks.
However, the disappearance of this feature leaves users with modest connections in difficult situations. While major cities and urbanized regions benefit from widespread broadband connectivity, many rural or developing areas still face limited connections. For these users, access to the cached version was a lifeline, allowing them to browse the web more efficiently.
Google still mentions the possibility of future collaboration with the Internet Archive to store deleted hidden links.. This online archive, often called the “Wayback Machine”, provides access to screenshots of websites from different periods. Such collaboration could provide an alternative for users who have lost access to the cached version, although the details of this potential agreement have yet to be defined.
The removal of Google’s cached version marks the end of an era for some users, especially those who rely on the feature to efficiently browse the Internet on limited connections.
