Google brings web time travel to search via Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine

Google

Starting today, Google Search users can directly access archived versions of webpages through the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, adding valuable historical context to search results. This move comes after Google discontinued its page cache feature from its search result page.

For the feature to work, Google has partnered with Internet Archives Wayback Machine. This feature enables users to view previous versions of webpages, helping to track changes over time or find content that may have been removed or altered. The link to the Wayback Machine can be found in the "About this Result" section of each Google Search result. This collaboration allows Google Search to enhance historical research and content verification for users.

The new feature can be accessed by clicking the three-dot menu next to search results and selecting "More About This Page." From there, a link to the Wayback Machine provides snapshots of websites as they appeared on previous dates, offering users a glimpse into the digital past.

The Internet Archive is a non-profit organisation dedicated to archiving the web, and has long offered users the ability to access older versions of webpages through its Wayback Machine.

This tool stores billions of pages, safeguarding online content from disappearing due to website changes, political pressure, or outdated content management systems.