Any idea how dell.com has the following title in google: Dell Computer Corporation Dell offers custom configuration of personal computers, portables and servers. Build your own PC--get the best value with latest technology--order online. www.dell.com/ - 22k - May 3, 2005 - Cached - Similar pages When if you actually visit dell.com that title doesn't exist.
I have seen Google screw up from time to time and output directory text instead of an excerpt from a website. May be this is what it is. J.D.
Dell's entry in the directory can be found here: http://www.google.com/search?q=dell&hl=en&cat=gwd/Top I wonder if this is a manually edited entry by Google.
Ah, strange. It does match the actual directory list, but when you do a search for dell (click the link in my last post) via the directory it comes up with the actual title on the dell page. Very weird, it's almost like it's flip-flopped. The organic search delivers the title from the directory and the directory search gives the right title on the home page.
Yep, I notice something similar with my own sites lately.. My guess was that when you search for any keyword in your dmoz listing (or description) if you rank it will use your dmoz details. Although not 100% sure yet.
More and more you'll see Google serp resul;ts seem to be using Directory Descriptions and Titles. Its not consistant - you can search for certain terms and see Dell's actual title in the serps, where as other terms display the directory title/description. Interesting - anyone seen a pattern or reasoning behind this that can be leveraged/or at least taken into consideration for SEO/serp click through purposes