Why Google’s New Search Update Is a Game Changer for Google Sites Intranets

Google has just rolled out an exciting update to Google Sites: now, when you search, it includes content from embedded files like Docs, Sheets, Slides, and PDFs.

Previously, the search bar only looked at text that was directly typed on a page. Any embedded content, no matter how crucial, was left out of the search results. But that’s all changed! With this new update, everything you embed is now part of your intranet’s searchable knowledge base.

If you have existing sites with embedded files, you’ll need to republish them once to activate this feature. For new sites, it’s all set up automatically.

Why This is a Game Changer

For companies and teams that use Google Sites as their intranet, this update addresses one of the biggest drawbacks:

1. No more hidden information.

Embedded policies, reports, or schedules will now show up in searches. Nothing will be buried in files anymore.

2. Employees get answers faster.

Instead of sifting through folders or clicking on multiple links, a simple search will pull results directly from embedded content.

3. Cleaner intranet design.

You won’t need to copy and paste text into pages just to make it searchable. By embedding the source file, your pages stay neat without losing discoverability.

4. Low effort, high impact.

There’s no extra setup required. Just embed, publish, and everything works seamlessly.

5. A smarter, living intranet.

As embedded Docs and Sheets get updated, those changes are automatically searchable, keeping your intranet fresh and relevant.

A Quick Example

Imagine your HR team embeds a PDF with onboarding steps and a Sheet with the holiday schedule. In the past, if an employee searched for “holiday,” they wouldn’t find anything unless it was manually typed on the page. Now, the embedded Sheet itself pops up in the results - saving time and reducing unnecessary clicks.

Final Take

This update transforms Google Sites from a simple collection of static pages into a dynamic central hub of knowledge. By making embedded content fully searchable, intranets built on Sites become faster, smarter, and way more useful for employees who just want quick access to information.

👉 Ready to put these improvements into action? Check out our latest Google Sites intranet template here.

3. Describe Your Image Idea: Enter a description of the illustration you need. Select the image size ratio that suits your Google Sites layout. Choose [Vector Art] as the preferred style. 

4. Review and Select an Image: Google Gemini will generate multiple high-quality image candidates in just a few seconds. Browse through the options and select the one that best fits your needs. 

5. Insert and Save the Image: Click the Insert button to place the chosen image into your Google Slide. To save the image, right-click and select [Save to Keep]. In the sidebar under the Keep notes section, right-click the image and select Save as an image to download it as a file.

Need help?

For professional pages on Google Sites or for any other issues, you can contact us directly or post your question on our websites or visit our Facebook page.