Google’s attempts at expanding the capabilities of its flagship search engine product have often involved it incorporating various snippets into its SERP. The latest snippet that has been viewed by users in the wild is one of the most sophisticated updates that have been seen so far, and they essentially allow searchers to see pros and cons underneath each link in the results page. Many users have taken to Twitter to report on these potential new snippets.
With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that these snippets are shown even if the webpage in question does not have a dedicated pros and cons list. That seems to suggest that Google is pulling content from these webpages and adjusting their formatting to create the pros and cons lists. Such snippets can be useful because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up helping users get more accurate information without having to click on the link itself.
In spite of the fact that this is the case, many are complaining that this will further reduce the number of users that actually visit webpages after entering a particular query into Google’s search engine. Google has increasingly been trying to keep users on its SERP instead of letting them click away, and these pros and cons lists will further entrench that with all things having been considered and taken into account.
Ironically, the pros and cons list of this update heavily favor the cons. Organic content will get pushed further down, and while revenues from advertising will increase it will come at the expense of the quality of search results. Plenty of commenters have noted that this will reduce a website’s ability to control its SEO since they are unable to adjust the entries in the automated lists that Google is creating.
Regardless, the main focal point of this update will be users, not website owners, so it will be their opinions that will determine whether this test will turn into a fully fledged feature addition.
Read next: Google Chrome Prepares Users With The Ability To Translate Selected Text While Adding More Languages
With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that these snippets are shown even if the webpage in question does not have a dedicated pros and cons list. That seems to suggest that Google is pulling content from these webpages and adjusting their formatting to create the pros and cons lists. Such snippets can be useful because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up helping users get more accurate information without having to click on the link itself.
I reported this recently, but I've been doing some testing with a new site I'm building for alcohol reviews. It's getting it from my writing in an area I don't have authority in. My expectation is Google understands the sentiment in writing and is extracting accordingly. pic.twitter.com/ywRXvhwxNE
— Leigh :) Stark (@Leighlo) June 28, 2022
@rustybrick Is this new or am I late? "Pros & Cons" SERP features on reviews pic.twitter.com/3wc8x1B5SM
— Sam ✨ (@_spamtaylor) June 27, 2022
I searched 'drench reviews'
— Sam ✨ (@_spamtaylor) June 28, 2022
In spite of the fact that this is the case, many are complaining that this will further reduce the number of users that actually visit webpages after entering a particular query into Google’s search engine. Google has increasingly been trying to keep users on its SERP instead of letting them click away, and these pros and cons lists will further entrench that with all things having been considered and taken into account.
Ironically, the pros and cons list of this update heavily favor the cons. Organic content will get pushed further down, and while revenues from advertising will increase it will come at the expense of the quality of search results. Plenty of commenters have noted that this will reduce a website’s ability to control its SEO since they are unable to adjust the entries in the automated lists that Google is creating.
Regardless, the main focal point of this update will be users, not website owners, so it will be their opinions that will determine whether this test will turn into a fully fledged feature addition.
Read next: Google Chrome Prepares Users With The Ability To Translate Selected Text While Adding More Languages
