The “Page Annotations Feature by Google” is unavailable on iOS
In November 2024, Google introduced a new feature named “Page Annotations” that automatically converted website text into Google Search links without the publisher’s approval. Initially, this feature sparked debate among users and web publishers. As a result, Google has discontinued its Page Annotations feature on the iOS platform.
What is the Page Annotations Feature?
Page Annotations were designed with the purpose of enhancing user experience. The idea was to make it easier for a reader or visitor to gain more information about “interesting or unique entities” from web pages. Google automatically highlighted these entities by turning them into clickable links.
The minute a user taps on any of these links, he is redirected to a related Google Search result, which provides the user with more insights or additional context on the term without leaving the current page.
Here is an example of how this feature looked:
Publisher and User Concerns Related to Page Annotations
Google’s intentions were good but the feature’s implementation raised several concerns, such as:
- Opt-Out Model: Google has earlier launched several similar features but what raised controversy was Page Annotations operated on an opt-out basis. Unlike other features that required publishers to opt in, this feature worked differently. If a publisher was not interested in using this feature, he had to actively request exclusion by submitting an opt-out form. Also, the changes would take a minimum of 30 days which frustrated publishers.
- User Experience: Some users even pointed out that these highlighted clickable links act as a distraction. They often lead their users away from the original content, potentially disrupting their browsing experience. Some even feared that their bounce rate would increase.
Google’s Response and Feature Discontinuation
After analyzing user’s growing concerns, Google finally decided to discontinue the Page Annotations feature. The team even removed all the information available on the official documentation, confirming its removal. No statement or reasons have been presented by the Google team for this decision, it’s evident that the feature’s impact on publisher and user experience played a significant role.
Note: Publishers no longer need to worry about additional links by Google for their content available on the iOS app.
