Google's New Search Snippets Blocked By Robots.txt Warning

Aug 16, 2012 - 8:23 am 35 by

A description for this result is not available because of this site's robots.txt

Google is showing a more descriptive search snippet for when it cannot show any search snippet in the search results.

If a page is being blocked by the robots.txt file, Google won't show the search snippet (description) in the search results. Google may show the page in the search results because of the linkage data it has. The example in the picture above is the only URL I have blocked from Google indexing it. I regret writing it, but also would regret removing it, so I blocked it from Google.

If you try to match on it within Google, it turns the notification:

A description for this result is not available because of this site's robots.txt – learn more.

The learn more link goes to the page named Block or remove pages using a robots.txt file in Google's help section.

I think this provides a much better search experience for someone who sees these blocked pages.

I do wonder if they show up for non site: command searches, I'd assume so.

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.

 

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: July 11, 2025

Jul 11, 2025 - 10:00 am
Search Video Recaps

Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Helpful Content Recoveries With Core Update, AI Mode Expands, Hidden Ad Terms & Fewer Ad Clicks

Jul 11, 2025 - 8:01 am
Google Maps

Google Local & Business Profiles Drops June 25th - Reporting Glitch?

Jul 11, 2025 - 7:51 am
Google

Google Tests Zoom Effect In On Images Within Search Results

Jul 11, 2025 - 7:41 am
Bing Search

Bing Search Image Box Tests Explore Image & Visual Search Buttons

Jul 11, 2025 - 7:31 am
Bing Search

Microsoft Bing Tests Delivery Truck Icon In Search Ads

Jul 11, 2025 - 7:21 am
Previous Story: Email Delivery Bug With Google Webmaster Tools Messages