SEO

Google’s Adding New Contextual Data Panels to All Search Results to Inform Users of Site Info

CopyPress

February 18, 2021 (Updated: February 8, 2023)

Google is looking to help its users get a better understanding of the webpages on their results pages before you even need to click on the link. Google will now begin displaying a new informational panel listed on each result on the SERP (search engine results page) that will give the user additional information about the website they may visit. 

If you tap the three dots on the results preview displayed on the SERP, you will see the option to read the “About This Result” page. On that page you will be able to learn when the website was first indexed by Google, if your connection to the site is secure, the URL, and whether this result is due to ad placement or not. 

Here the process is written out (with screenshots) to help you understand how to get this extra information on the websites featured on each SERP. 

First: Google a Term. 

Second: Click the three dots on the top right-hand corner of the results preview. 

Third: View the informational panel on the right-hand side of your screen. 

Fourth: Learn additional information about the website. 

Google explained the addition of this new feature,”starting today, next to most results on Google, you’ll begin to see a menu icon that you can tap to learn more about the result or feature and where the information is coming from. With this additional context, you can make a more informed decision about the sites you may want to visit and what results will be most useful for you.”

Google says that this new data panel will provide extra context or peace of mind when looking for something important like health or financial information. Overall, it should provide the end user with more information on the quality of site they are about to visit. Sounds to me like an easier way to find sources for High School students that are forced to use MLA formatting, but we’ll take it. 

This is only the first update where Google will add additional information to its results previews. The next addition will likely be on job listings or local business listings. Google says, “you’ll see a description about how Google sources that information from sites on the web, or from businesses themselves, and presents it in a helpful format.”

Take a look at what you will see on those types of informational panels below. 

Image via SocialMediaToday. 

It is no surprise that this update comes just as there is a greater push for more contextual information across the web. This update gives users more ways to verify the data they are searching for and its source as it becomes more important than ever to feel confident in your findings.

Jill Conway

CopyPress writer

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