Google's directory

PhilC · 10-22-2003, 05:57 AM

I feel a bit embarrassed at not realising this before but Google show identical results in the normal (Web) serps and the Directory serps. How long has it been like that?

Clicking on the Directory tab on the home page shows the normal directory, but clicking the tab on a serps page, or searching on the directory home page, produces the normal Web results but with a different color scheme.

In my defense, it's extremely rare that I ever clicked on the Directory tabs

Jazzee · 10-22-2003, 06:00 AM

When you click on directory, all it does is "search" the directory for the term you entered.

They won't always be the same results as your search results were.

So, it is not showing you the directory, it is showing you a search within the directory.

PhilC · 10-22-2003, 06:24 AM

No it's not, and they are the same results. Many of the results are not listed in the directory.

Search on "holiday accommodation" either from the Directory front page, or get the normal Web serps and then click the Directory tab. The #8 listing is mine, and that site is not in the directory. Many of the results are not in the directory as can be seen by the lack breadcrumb trails. The results are identical to normal Web results.

Rob · 10-22-2003, 06:29 AM

I can't think of a reason why they would've intentionally done this. Strange.

hatchet · 10-22-2003, 06:30 AM

A search for "Home Construction" has similar results except for the #3 position is gone and I'm bumped up. Otherwise identical.

Jazzee · 10-22-2003, 06:42 AM

So anyone have any ideas why?

PhilC · 10-22-2003, 06:45 AM

Is it something new, or is it something that I've only just noticed? I rarely clicked on the Directory tabs, so I've no idea.

Jazzee · 10-22-2003, 06:46 AM

I would think it is something new, or else I have no idea where I got my first response from

John Scott · 10-22-2003, 06:46 AM

Phil,

I'm a frequent directory-searcher, and I just noticed that yesterday. I am not sure it isn't a hiccup.

I hope it goes back to normal.

PhilC · 10-22-2003, 07:18 AM

The last I read about it (not many days ago) Google hadn't downloaded the DMOZ data for quite a few months. That happens from time to time, but with these new directory serps, I'm wondering if Google is looking away from DMOZ - bit by bit maybe. Probably not but you never know.