Are Google Search Snippets Showing False Dates?

Mar 16, 2017 - 7:52 am 9 by

Greentech Google Bot 1900px

The other day, Bill Hartzer posted that he saw Google showing inaccurate and false dates on his articles within the Google search results. Now I see a WebmasterWorld thread started by the administrator there, with a similar complaint.

In short, some are saying their new articles are showing up with inaccurate dates in the Google snippets. I tested this on a few stories on this site and I was unable to replicate it but Bill documented it on his site.

Engine, the administrator at WebmasterWorld wrote:

Looking closely at the Google SERPs I noticed the dates shown against some of the entries and most show just a date. However, when it's a very recent listing in the SERPs the actual date shown by Google appears to be inaccurate. One example shows it as incorrect by seven hours. "7 hours ago"

Here is a screen shot from Bill showing that:

Google Seven Hours Stamp

Do you also have this issue?

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Google

Google AI Overviews Bug Removes Links & Citations

Feb 4, 2026 - 4:39 pm
Google News

Google Ad Revenue Up 14% - Google's Biggest Revenue & Ad Revenue Yet

Feb 4, 2026 - 4:10 pm
Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: February 4, 2026

Feb 4, 2026 - 10:00 am
Google Updates

Google Search Ranking Volatility Heats Up Big Time Starting On February 2nd

Feb 4, 2026 - 7:55 am
Bing Search

Microsoft Publisher Content Marketplace - Pay For AI To License Content

Feb 4, 2026 - 7:51 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google Hit Self-Promotional Listicles In Recent Unconfirmed Updates?

Feb 4, 2026 - 7:41 am
 
Previous Story: Google Hamburg Office Mini Swimming Pool