Sometimes results from a Google search contain a few links shown below some of the sites, as you can see in the screen shot. These are called site links and they are automatically generated to help users get around on your website. If your website structure doesn’t let the Google algorithm find good site links, or if adding site links isn’t relevant to a search, they aren’t shown.

Google only displays site links when there are at least three available. If your site only has two or fewer site links, they won’t show in search results.

At present, site links are automatically generated, but if your site has site links that you find to be inappropriate or incorrect, you can block them. To block site links, go to the Google Webmaster Tools home page and click the site you’re interested in. Under “Site Configuration” click on “Sitelinks.” If there are site links for your site they’ll be displayed here. You can click on “Block” next to any site link you want to delete.

If you do this, Google would like your input about why you wanted to delete the site link so they can improve the site link generation algorithm. The effect of blocking or un-blocking a site link can take a while to be implemented.

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 31st, 2010 at 9:14 am and is filed under Google, Link Building. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.