After the discontinuation of cached results at the beginning of the year, Google has now begun incorporating links to the Internet Archive in search outcomes, as detailed by The Verge. This allows users to access older versions of websites more easily.
To find the new Wayback Machine links, simply click on the three dots next to a search result and select “More about this page.” At the bottom of the subsequent menu, you’ll see the option to “See previous versions on Internet Archive.” As with any changes in search features, it might take a little time for everyone to notice the update, so if you don’t see it immediately, keep checking back.
When Danny Sullivan, Google’s Search liaison, confirmed the removal of cached links in February, he expressed a desire to see them replaced by links to the Internet Archive.
The Internet Archive, a nonprofit organization established in 1996, has been diligently working to archive more than 150 billion web pages, ensuring access for researchers and the general public. Thanks to a recent partnership with Google, users can now access archived webpage versions with much greater ease during their online activities.
While these new Wayback Machine links provide a fascinating alternative, they don’t completely replace the functionality of the now-removed cached links. The cached links allowed users to view a webpage as Google does, revealing all edits and changes made. They served various purposes, from debugging to news gathering and even as a workaround for accessing content when pages wouldn’t load.
Though many of these tasks can be accomplished through other means these days, and the original need for cached pages has diminished, the integration of Internet Archive links is a valuable addition to the search experience.