Google tests removing underline from search result snippets

30/09/2025

As Google continues to evolve its search interface, the latest test involves a significant change to how search result snippets behave upon user interaction. This alteration in design could have implications for user experience and interaction rates. Understanding these changes is crucial for both users and digital marketers alike.

On September 30, 2025, reports surfaced indicating that Google is experimenting with dropping the underline from search result snippets when users hover their mouse over them. This marks a notable shift from the traditional method where titles and sometimes entire snippets receive an underline to indicate they are clickable links. This testing phase offers insights into Google's ongoing efforts to enhance user interface design and interaction.

Content Index

Understanding Google's Interface Changes
The Implications of Underline Removal
Feedback from the Community
Visual Representation of the Change
What This Means for SEO Practices
Concluding Thoughts on Google's Testing

Understanding Google's Interface Changes

Google frequently tests variations in its search results to improve user engagement and satisfaction. The removal of the underline on hover is part of this iterative process. While the underline has been a standard design element for hyperlinks, its absence could lead to interesting behavioral shifts among users.

Visual Clarity: Without the underline, the design may appear cleaner, potentially making search results look more integrated and less cluttered.
User Expectations: Users accustomed to underlined links may initially find this change confusing, possibly impacting click-through rates.
Branding Opportunities: This design shift may allow brands to experiment with different font styles and colors without the distraction of an underline.
Behavioral Insights: Tracking user interactions with these modified snippets could provide valuable data on how users navigate search results.

The Implications of Underline Removal

Removing underlines from snippets may have broader implications for how users interpret and engage with search results. Here are some potential outcomes:

Increased Uniformity: If search snippets appear more uniform without underlines, it could enhance the overall aesthetic of the search results page.
Reduced Click Signals: Users might rely on other visual cues, such as color changes or iconography, to identify clickable links.
A/B Testing Opportunities: Google can utilize this test to compare click rates between underlined and non-underlined snippets to determine which design generates more engagement.

Feedback from the Community

The search community has been active in discussing this change. Barry Schwartz, a prominent figure in the SEO world, shared his observations on social media, highlighting that this change was spotted during testing. His video and screenshots of the test results have sparked conversations among SEO experts about how this might affect search behavior.

Many users have expressed mixed feelings about the removal of the underline. Some believe it could lead to a more modern look, while others worry it may decrease usability because of the lack of familiar visual cues.

Visual Representation of the Change

To better understand the visual difference, here are examples comparing traditional search snippets with the new design:

Snippet Style	Example
With Underline	This is how it typically looks on hover
Without Underline	This is how it appears now

What This Means for SEO Practices

SEO professionals are likely to adapt their strategies in light of this testing. Here are some considerations:

Emphasis on Clickable Elements: Marketers may need to ensure that their titles are compelling enough to prompt clicks even without the visual cue of an underline.
Content Optimization: Crafting engaging meta descriptions and titles becomes even more critical as visual indicators of clickability change.
Monitoring Engagement: SEO practitioners should monitor analytics closely to gauge whether this change affects traffic and user engagement on their sites.

Concluding Thoughts on Google's Testing

As Google continues to innovate and test new designs, the ongoing changes to search result snippets are just a part of a larger trend toward enhancing user experience. Understanding these shifts will be essential for marketers and users alike as they navigate the evolving digital landscape. Keeping an eye on these developments will allow stakeholders to adapt their strategies and expectations accordingly.

If you want to explore more stories like Google tests removing underline from search result snippets, you can browse the Google Search Algorithm Updates section.

James Wirral

I am James Wirral, an SEO and SEM specialist for all major search engines, and my story began not in an office but behind the counter of my family's small bookshop. Watching local customers discover the titles they needed made me realise how powerful the right words and the right place could be. I taught myself the mechanics of search — from technical audits and schema to user intent and paid media — often late into the night, turning curiosity into craft. Over the years I have guided independent businesses and growing brands to consistent, measurable success, delivering double-digit organic growth and improving return on ad spend through honest, data-driven strategies. My work is grounded in evidence: careful testing, transparent reporting and a focus on long-term value rather than short-term tricks.What drives me is people. I remember a bakery owner who regained her customer base after a local search optimisation we carried out together, and a charity that reached donors they never knew existed thanks to a refocused content strategy. Those outcomes taught me that technical skills matter, but empathy and integrity make the difference. I publish practical guides, speak at industry events and mentor junior marketers so knowledge spreads beyond one campaign. Above all, I treat SEO and SEM as a promise to users and clients alike: to respect privacy, to prioritise relevance, and to build sustainable visibility that helps real people find what they need.