6 replies to this topic

[kslnor]

Let's see if I can explain this

 

Google's serp shows the date of Nov 19, 2012 before the description for my Index.html page...I'm not sure why.  I cannot locate any date tag, "last-modified" date , or other date indicator,  within the source code.  I first noticed this date appearing a day ago.

 

I switched my static site to a Wordpress blog on Nov 19, 2012. I add a new post to my blog a few times a week.  I know Google crawls my site daily.  The cache date of my Index page is March 12, 2013. 

 

I'm a bit concerned this may deter visitor interest if Nov 19, 2012 remains  - several months from now (may give the sense the blog is outdated).

 

I'm curious why this is happening, so if anyone has any clue I would love to hear it.

[Jill]

If you pm me the URL I'll take a look. 

[Jill]

It's because the dates of the articles are showing on  your home page, with that november 2012 one at the top.

 

 

 

[kslnor]

Ahhhhaaa !  Makes perfect sense.  Easy fix.  Thanks Jill, you're the best.

[Michael Martinez]

Dates do NOT deter visitor interest.  If anything, they HELP searchers find information better.

 

Just because an article has an old date doesn't mean it's not useful or current.  Nor does that mean it won't do as well in the SERPs.

 

I have never found a case where a blogger had a good reason to hide dates from users in the SERPs.

[Jill]

Michael, the problem with this particular site was that for some reason of all the articles, the old ones were at the top (of the home page). So Google chose the old date for the home page. That's different than just having an old article, showing an old date. (Which I agree is fine.)

[Michael Martinez]

Michael, the problem with this particular site was that for some reason of all the articles, the old ones were at the top (of the home page). So Google chose the old date for the home page. That's different than just having an old article, showing an old date. (Which I agree is fine.)

 

Ah.  My mistake.  I guess that's what I get for just quickly scanning the discussion.  

 

Sorry.