Google Search Lead: I Can't Go After Individual Problems In Search Results

Mar 20, 2017 - 7:41 am 5 by

Keyboard2 Google 1900px

We all know how bad some feature snippets in Google's search results can look but even if you point it out to one of Google's lead search engineers, it might not get fixed. Let's look at a recent example where Paul Haahr from Google responded on Twitter to a complaint about a really bad featured snippet.

The search result was for [can a sitting president be arrested] and it features a photoshop image of President Obama standing in front of cops with his hands behind him as if he is being arrested in court. Here is what the search result looks like on mobile:

Google Feature Snippet Fake Image

Paul Haahr from Google first apologized to the searcher saying "Sorry." He then admitted it is a bad result, "yes, very bad." Sadly, he goes on to explain that he personally can't go around fixing individual issues in search, "but I can't go after individual problems," he added. "There is a feedback link on that screen for this reason," which goes into some sort of bucket. Google does take care of those feedback results quickly for featured snippets, I believe.

Paul Haahr, from what I know, isn't a fan of Trump, I believe he was a pretty big Obama supporter. Why is this important? It shows you that even the most senior Googlers, who worked directly on search, can't go in and just clean up a poor search result. It shows you the algorithm controls it and they need the feedback to improve the overall algorithm.

Forum discussion at Twitter.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
- YouTube
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: April 29, 2025

Apr 29, 2025 - 10:00 am
Other Search Engines

ChatGPT Search Gains Shopping Search Features (Not Ads) & More

Apr 29, 2025 - 7:51 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google: Changing Lastmod Date In Sitemap Isn't An SEO Hack

Apr 29, 2025 - 7:41 am
Bing Search

Bing Tests New AI Answer Summary

Apr 29, 2025 - 7:31 am
Google Ads

Google Tests New Shopping Ads Design

Apr 29, 2025 - 7:21 am
Bing Search

Bing Search Without Microsoft Name By Logo

Apr 29, 2025 - 7:11 am
Previous Story: Spring Equinox 2017 Logos From Google & Bing