The NOODP Tag and Why this Tag Has Me Flustered With Google!

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by mrdjkcool, Jan 22, 2007.

  1. #1
    I have an interesting issue that I think will provoke a little thought.

    To those that may (or may not) know, by inserting a line of code into your homepage meta tags, you can ensure that when google displays your listing in the natural listings that it doesnt pull the title and description found at DMOZ. (for example if you have a bad description that doesnt describe your company well you would want to ensure that DMOZ description doesnt pass into Google)

    This is the code:
    <meta name="ROBOTS" content="NOODP">

    After reading this post on the google webmaster forum just to be safe I placed the code into the website homepage found at www.techwyse.com . (even though it was never pulling the title and description from DMOZ)

    Now that it HAS been placed in the meta, it suddenly pulls the DMOZ data! Have a look and compare...

    http://search.dmoz.org/cgi-bin/search?search=techwyse

    http://www.google.com/search?source...rls=GBSA,GBSA:2006-10,GBSA:en&q=web+promotion

    My question is simple; does anyone know how I can get rid of this. From everything I read... to get rid of it you are supposed to insert the code that I put in already! Ironically there was nothing wrong with the above listed site but now that I have put that code in the meta there the problem now exists!

    Any help would be truly appreciated! :)
     
    mrdjkcool, Jan 22, 2007 IP
  2. adverlicious

    adverlicious Peon

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    #2
    Sayeth Barry Schwartz, "Keep in mind, it takes time for Google to spider your pages and then determine if you do not want to use the ODP title. So if you add the tag today, it may take several weeks to have an impact."

    http://blog.searchenginewatch.com/blog/060713-131905

    Patience! ;)
     
    adverlicious, Jan 22, 2007 IP
  3. tschrock

    tschrock Peon

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    #3
    I agree. Even if Google spiders the site, they may take weeks to process the data collected and cache information.
     
    tschrock, Jan 22, 2007 IP
  4. mrdjkcool

    mrdjkcool Guest

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    #4
    This was done more then 2 months ago guys. I also believe in patience but its beyond that now. I hope I communicated this right.

    I added the title many months ago 'NOODP' even though Google wasnt using the DMOZ listing. I did that just to make sure. As soon as I added the tag, it began sourcing the DMOZ title and description and has never gone back.

    Any insite would be appreciated!
     
    mrdjkcool, Jan 22, 2007 IP
  5. adverlicious

    adverlicious Peon

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    #5
    Out on a limb here since I'm not overly technical, but is it possible you messed up the format of the tag?

    You have this:

    <meta name="ROBOTS" content="NOODP">

    ... while Matt Cutts suggests this:

    <meta name=”robots” content=”noodp”>
    (Source: http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/google-supports-meta-noodp-tag/)

    Matt's an engineer at Google and one of the few employees allowed to discuss their algorithm and secrets. I trust him a lot given his reputation and track record.

    Is this a possible source of the problem?

    :confused:
     
    adverlicious, Jan 22, 2007 IP
  6. mrdjkcool

    mrdjkcool Guest

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    #6
    you are thinking the UPPER cas and lower case items are the issue? Not sure but Matt Cutts is actually where I sourced this info from in the first place.
     
    mrdjkcool, Jan 23, 2007 IP
  7. anj109

    anj109 Peon

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    #7
    I've read somewhere else it should be

    <meta name="GOOGLEBOT" content="NOODP" />
     
    anj109, Jan 23, 2007 IP
  8. skionxb

    skionxb Peon

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    #8
    I had the same issue! Please just be patient, Google will update it in a few days! Do not worry about this tag!
     
    skionxb, Jan 23, 2007 IP
  9. adverlicious

    adverlicious Peon

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    #9
    Please revisit this thread in 3-5 weeks and let us know how this played out. It's an intriguing problem that we could all learn from.

    Working around the ODP could help many sites improve their traffic ;)
     
    adverlicious, Jan 24, 2007 IP
  10. mrdjkcool

    mrdjkcool Guest

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    #10
    Still the same issue happenning guys. Its been 8 weeks now actually. Is there anyone on the board here from either the ODP or Google itself that could look at this problem guys?
     
    mrdjkcool, Jan 29, 2007 IP
  11. oseymour

    oseymour Well-Known Member

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    #11
    did you check to make sure that you are not listed in the DMOZ?
     
    oseymour, Jan 29, 2007 IP
  12. rochow

    rochow Notable Member

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    #12
    try putting both the tags in:

    <meta name="GOOGLEBOT" content="NOODP">
    <meta name="ROBOTS" content="NOODP">

    put a slash if you use xhtml, if you use html leave it as it is above
     
    rochow, Jan 29, 2007 IP
  13. mrdjkcool

    mrdjkcool Guest

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    #13
    What do you mean by "put a slash" if we use XHTML? This could be the issue.
     
    mrdjkcool, Jan 30, 2007 IP
  14. rochow

    rochow Notable Member

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    #14
    <meta name="GOOGLEBOT" content="NOODP" />
    <meta name="ROBOTS" content="NOODP" />
     
    rochow, Jan 30, 2007 IP
  15. mrdjkcool

    mrdjkcool Guest

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    #15
    Here is the update for those that are interested.

    I added the "/" to the xhtml tag as ROCHOW suggested on Jan 30 and still nothing has changed. It is still sourcing the ODP for the page title and description!

    Does anyone have any other idea as to what is going on? You can do a search by typing "web promotion" into Google and you will see TechWyse IT Solutions as the title in the search engine when it should be displaying the PAGE TITLE!

    Thoughts?
     
    mrdjkcool, Feb 8, 2007 IP
  16. rochow

    rochow Notable Member

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    #16
    I am never wrong! :eek: :eek: :eek:

    Is there any way to contact Google?
     
    rochow, Feb 8, 2007 IP
  17. mrdjkcool

    mrdjkcool Guest

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    #17
    mrdjkcool, Feb 8, 2007 IP