Site Description from DMOZ

nashville · #1 (**permalink**) 12-18-2007, 05:04 PM

We have always had just the site description we wanted until about two weeks ago and for some reason on one keyword search Google has grabbed a very old description from DMOZ.

This description is very old and does not even make sense any more.

I have now contacted the editor and updated our description but since the editor is in the same business it likely will never get changed...it took 3 years just to get in DMOZ because of the conflict of interest!

Any ideas why after several years did this happen?

**mjtaylor** · #2 (**permalink**) 12-18-2007, 05:29 PM

So, you're sure that keyword phrase didn't have that description before? My site's always had the dmoz description on a couple of moer obscure phrases. If it's new, I don't know for sure, but a shift in the algorithm could do it. Or even a slight change in the content on your page.

nashville · #3 (**permalink**) 12-18-2007, 05:54 PM

Yes I am really sure. We document everything in detail here with screen shots each week.

**mjtaylor** · #4 (**permalink**) 12-18-2007, 08:40 PM

So, have you changed anything else? If not, then Google must have adjusted its algo ... I am sorry, there may be nothing you can do about that, other than to apply for a change in description. You could try changing your desc meta to more closely match the keyword phrase in question.

Jean-Luc · #5 (**permalink**) 12-19-2007, 05:45 AM

Even Google knows that DMOZ descriptions are not always good. Google and Live.com support:

Code:

<meta name="robots" content="noodp">

Jean-Luc

**mjtaylor** · #6 (**permalink**) 12-19-2007, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean-Luc

Even Google knows that DMOZ descriptions are not always good. Google and Live.com support:

Code:

<meta name="robots" content="noodp">

Jean-Luc

Well done, Jean-Luc! Rep points added.

michaelstevenson · #7 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 10:29 AM

I've got a quick question that is coming from my being very new to SEO:

Can you direct me to where I can find out more about
<meta name="robots" content="noodp">

Thanks

**wige** · #8 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 12:44 PM

Google has an article on the tag in the webmaster help section: How do I change my site's title and description?

There is a similar tag that prevents Yahoo from displaying the description in the Yahoo Directory:
<meta name="robots" content="noydir" />

**mjtaylor** · #9 (**permalink**) 12-20-2007, 04:43 PM

And Matt Cutts blogged about it, too: Google supports META NOODP tag

!atmmm · #10 (**permalink**) 04-14-2008, 12:32 AM

im being studying seo. it's useful to me. thanks all.

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