Google Search Results Snippet Overlay Descriptions May Use DMOZ Description

About a year ago, Google introduced a new feature in the search results that give you quick overlays on the search result so that you can learn more about the site you are about to click on before you click on it. Early on, the results of the data in the snippet came from Wikipedia […]

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About a year ago, Google introduced a new feature in the search results that give you quick overlays on the search result so that you can learn more about the site you are about to click on before you click on it.

Early on, the results of the data in the snippet came from Wikipedia but it seems now Google is sourcing some of their information from DMOZ.

Alex Chitu spotted that a search for [google blog] returns the Google Blog but when you click on the arrow down, it shows a description from DMOZ.

google-snippet-dmoz

DMOZ is not the most updated source of information, which is why it is interesting that Google uses this for both snippets (on occasion) and in these snippet overlays.


About the author

Barry Schwartz
Staff
Barry Schwartz is a Contributing Editor to Search Engine Land and a member of the programming team for SMX events. He owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics. Barry can be followed on Twitter here.

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