Google To Discontinue Site Search Product

Online retailers that apply Google’s search technology to their own sites using the Google Site Search product will now have to update their site search or upgrade to a version that included ads.

This spring, Google is officially cut its Google Site Search (GSS) product, which it disclosed to customers and partners via email last week.

According to Fortune, existing customers are able to continue using the GSS product through the end of their current license but the tech giant will stop renewals and selling new licenses as of April 1.

The customer’s account will then automatically convert to the company’s Custom Search Engine (CSE) product. CSE offers a free, ad-supported version of Google’s search technology. A Google spokesman noted via email that CSE provides similar features and functions to GSS.

He also explained that Google is “winding down the Google Site Search product over the next year, but will provide customer and technical support through the duration of license agreements.”

Contracts that are slated to end between April 1 and June 30, 2017 will be extended by three months to allow additional query volume and help businesses make the necessary changes to their site search.