Google is rolling out a new feature in its Search platform, enabling users to access historical versions of webpages directly from search results. This update is made possible through a partnership with The Internet Archive, a non-profit organisation that maintains a vast archive of web pages known as the Wayback Machine.
The new feature integrates the Wayback Machine into Google Search’s ‘About this page’ tool, offering users a way to view past versions of websites, reports 9to5Google. This addition caters especially to researchers and those who need historical context for recently updated pages.
Historically, Google Search provided access to cached pages, but this function was removed in 2023.
In a statement provided to 9to5Google, Google emphasised the value of this partnership, noting, “We know that many people, including those in the research community, value being able to see previous versions of webpages when available. That’s why we’ve added links to the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine to our ‘About this page’ feature, to give people quick context and make this helpful information easily accessible through Search.”
To use this feature, users must click on the three-dot menu next to search results and select ‘More about this page,’ where the Wayback Machine link will be available.
By clicking on the link, users will be redirected to historical snapshots of the webpage, allowing them to explore previous iterations as archived by The Internet Archive.
In its post, The Internet Archive celebrated the partnership, underscoring the importance of web archiving and how this integration brings historical context to search results just “a click away.”
In September 2024, The Internet Archive lost a major case copyright case when the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled against the non-profit.
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