Google has integrated links to archived web pages from the non-profit Internet Archive, better known as the Wayback Machine, into its search results. This update comes after the familiar cached web page viewer was removed from Google search. Users now have access to over 860 billion archived web pages, offering unprecedented opportunities to explore the history of the Internet since 1996.
The End of the Cached Viewer
Earlier this year, in February, Google decided to disable its long-standing cached web page viewer feature. According to Google SearchLiaison, the company’s official search PR account, the removal was due to improvements in web accessibility. As Google commented: “Yes, it’s gone. We know, it’s sad. We’re sad, too. It’s one of our oldest features. But it was designed to help people access pages in the days when you often couldn’t count on the page loading. Things are much better these days.”
The Wayback Machine as a New Alternative
In place of the cached viewer, Google is now offering integration with the Wayback Machine, a project of the non-profit Internet Archive. This tool holds over 860 billion web pages and 99 petabytes of data, some dating back to the late 1990s. The Wayback Machine allows users to not only retrieve past versions of websites but also explore the development of the web over decades.
To access this feature, users can click the three dots next to a search result and select “Learn more about this page.” This will take them to a link in the Wayback Machine, opening a new way to examine old content. However, the feature has some limitations. The Wayback Machine cannot access sites where archiving is prohibited or content that is password-protected.
NIX Solutions notes that this functionality is being rolled out gradually, meaning not all users will have immediate access. We’ll keep you updated as more users gain access to the feature.