Gaming Google's Rich Snippets, Auto-Approval and Microformats for increased CTR

[ddm]

It turns out that you can game google's rich snippets whitelisting and put some fake microformat / metadata on your site to get increased clicks from SERP pages and allowing you to "outclick" those ranked above you in the search results in many cases.

edit: It also works or 3rd party sites


info here
Video Here

Happy Xmas y'all.

[usaonlinecasino]

Is it a hole Google dug for all others?

[GaryTheScubaGuy]

It turns out that you can game google's rich snippets whitelisting and put some fake microformat / metadata on your site to get increased clicks from SERP pages and allowing you to "outclick" those ranked above you in the search results in many cases.


e.g.


info here


Happy Xmas y'all.

Hiya Mate. You mind sending me your search query? I'm not finding it.

[ddm]

Sure Gary

here's a proof of concept video: http://youtu.be/fBwzHqTXsrE

I'll remove the fake microformat data later tonight

1 free hoodie for the hack imo Gary =)

[universal4]

I too can NOT see the result that you posted in the picture....

I have performed a few queries and can see your twitter result....but the results I see do NOT contain what you posted.

Rick
Universal4

[ddm]

I too can NOT see the result that you posted in the picture....

I have performed a few queries and can see your twitter result....but the results I see do NOT contain what you posted.

Rick
Universal4

yep, the original blog post said "could look like this".. I did it on the site in the video above... It will be live for another 30 mins lol.

[ddm]

The microdata was removed yesterday for the site shown in the video, and the Fake Rich Snippets still showing in Google SERPs now 24h later.
Oh Dear Google.

Some SEOs on twitter doubting there *ever was* a whitelisting process.
Interesting stuff indeed.

[GaryTheScubaGuy]

I put it on one of my sites; http://www.ppc-manager.blogspot.com/

Let's see what comes of it.

Cheer
Gary

[thebookiesoffers]

i have a feeling google will probably clamp down on this when they realise pretty quickly. Gary, is that a test site or one you use for business etc?

[ddm]

Rich Snippets SERP Hacking In the Wild
and http://twitpic.com/7vzus5

[casinorecommender]

It could be possible but sooner or later Google will penalize all of the sites that did this. Be sure of it !

[GaryTheScubaGuy]

i have a feeling google will probably clamp down on this when they realise pretty quickly. Gary, is that a test site or one you use for business etc?

No its one of my sites but I'm not concerned.

[GaryTheScubaGuy]

Sure enough it worked.

http://www.google.co.uk/#q=social+me....,cf.osb&cad=b

[casinorecommender]

i know it could be worked for now but could give lots of harm for the near future. Always white hat techniques are better. Believe me !

[GaryTheScubaGuy]

Yea. Thanks for that. This being my first week doing this I appreciate the advice.

[casinorecommender]

You are always welcome. Organic growth is the way that Google really appreciates.. Thanks for giving importance to my thoughts

[GaryTheScubaGuy]

Sorry for the questioning.

You were completely right and I apologize for questioning you.

Spot on Mate!

[GaryTheScubaGuy]

Sorry...I owe the kudos gamblingseo.

Thanks Mate. Nice heads up.

Let me know if I can do anything for you.

Gary

[casinorecommender]

No need to say sorry please. We are here to share the information that is useful for all of us. Tale care and a happy new year

[mwilliams0161]

There has been alot of development in this area in the last year, but looking at Google rich snippets guidelines, it says this is "Not for adult content" (?).

I'd like like to use it for my website but would prefer it to be "white hat".

Can you use Rich Snippets now in a white hat format?