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Direct links from Google Search results: Checklist

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Discover how to update your WorldCat registry profile in OCLC Service Configuration and test your library's direct links from Google Search.

 Note: Direct links from Google Search results are only applicable to web visibility libraries in the U.S. Visit Library web visibility for more information.

Update WorldCat registry profile in OCLC Service Configuration

What Why
Check the main address in the WorldCat registry. This is needed for geolocation. It should match the address used in the library’s Google map.
Check online catalog URLs These are the foundation of the links we build.
Make sure linking URLs are configured for correct identifiers. Does the library use OCLC control numbers (OCNs) or ISBNs? 13-digit or 10-digit ISBNs? If the library only uses ISBNs, they should not provide an OCN link.
Test links in Service Configuration to make sure they
do not go to a generic search page or sign-in page.

Test links from WorldCat.org to see the user
experience.

Testing links to your library's catalog provides more guidance.		 Links should go directly to the item in the catalog.
If a prefix is used with an OCN, it should be identified in Service Configuration.

Visit 035 field and OCLC control numbers (Fundamentals) to find prefix details.		 If they use a prefix and don’t provide it in Service Configuration, their searches might lead to excessive
results.
Make sure the library is listed as a main library and not a branch. Links are generated for main libraries only.
Visit Update your institution's WorldCat Registry profile for detailed instructions for WorldCat registry updates.
Holdings Quality
Make sure holdings are up to date with a streamlined holdings update project or data sync (not needed with
WMS).		 Outdated holdings are the main source of errors.
After a streamlined holdings update, incorporate
identifiers into the local library catalog. The XREF report
or output file (if requested) provides the OCLC control number that libraries can add to their local system. Adding all available ISBNs to a local system supports linking if the library uses ISBNs to link to the local catalog.

 Note: ISBNs are not provided in a streamlined holdings update.

Visit Streamlined holdings update FAQ for more information.		 If identifiers are not updated, links could be formed with an identifier that the library doesn’t use, even if they hold the item.
Google Maps
Request a Google map if a library does not already have
its own. Library naming conventions should be similar
to those used in the WorldCat registry.
  • The library name in the Google map should match the “also called” name in the WorldCat registry.
  • Public libraries: Google Map name should match the 
    institution name in the WorldCat registry.
  • Academic libraries: Institution name in the WorldCat Registry should match the college or institution name in Google Maps. (Example: Institution name = Smith college and “also called” = Smith College Library)
 This improves the chances of the Google Knowledge Panel connecting to the library once it goes live in the service.

Testing links to your library's catalog

The URL syntax used to link to your library catalog via Google Search and Google Books is based on the information you provide in the WorldCat registry. This is the same way online catalog links are constructed for WorldCat.org. If you are wondering whether your links will go directly to the item in your local catalog, you may use WorldCat.org to test library catalog links to make sure they connect to the correct record.

Search a variety of book titles, including:

  • Contemporary titles. Books added recently that only have one edition are likely to be up to date in WorldCat. You may want to test a couple of these as a baseline to make sure you are going right to the item in your local catalog.
  • Classics. Search results typically include records with a large number of items in a variety of editions, formats, and languages. Good examples to test are Catcher in the Rye and Roots.
  • Popular titles with multiple versions/identifiers. Check search results for current popular titles with multiple versions and identifiers, such as Harry Potter.

Common linking issues

Links fail for many reasons. Below are examples of linking issues you may encounter with recommended actions for correcting these problems.

Issue Recommended correction
Error message
  • Make sure the linking URL is correct; make sure the item is in WorldCat
  • Check the local record to make sure OCLC numbers or ISBNs match the ones used in WorldCat
  • If prefixes are used in local records, make sure these are configured in the service configuration
  • Consider a streamlined holdings update
  • Make sure updated OCLC numbers are incorporated into your local catalog
Sign-in page Make sure your online catalog allows users to view what items are held without having to sign in
Link doesn't resolve, but spins Check URLs for the online catalog in the WorldCat registry
There are so many results, I can't tell if the correct item is in the list Check URLs for online catalog in the WorldCat Registry. It may also help to add prefixes to OCLC numbers.
Generic landing page Check URLs for the online catalog in the WorldCat registry

Once you find that the links are consistently working from WorldCat.org, contact your OCLC sales representative to let them know you'd like your library to be tested for the direct link program.