Google is discontinuing their their Google Site Search product, which is the paid version of using Google search technology to power your internal site search feature. They are telling customers to use the free custom search engine version instead, which is what we use on this site.

The product will be discontinued by the 4th quarter of this year. Google told us:

Many are asking why? Does Google think they can make more money of site search products by showing ads than charging per query? Or does Google just want to stop having a team support that product? It is unclear.

One WebmasterWorld member said “I suspect those Google Site Search publishers that ride it to the end will be greatly disappointed with Google Custom Search.”

There are other paid alternatives as well.

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.