Google Search could have a bug within the European areas with lodge listings being hijacked by spammy websites. Google will present TripAdvisor, Inns.com, Reserving.com and different legit websites in its search outcomes however while you click on on these listings, you are taken to a distinct web site, a spammy web site.
It’s arduous for me to copy since this appears to be occurring within the European search outcomes. Perhaps that is associated to the new search interfaces and options for DMA? Perhaps some hackers have been in a position to exploit it. I’m not 100% certain.
However JC Chouinard an search engine optimization Strategist at Tripadvisor, posted particulars of this hijacking together with sharing screenshots. Google is conscious of the difficulty however didn’t disclose any particulars.
JC Chouinard posted on X quite a few examples of Google displaying a web site’s URL however while you click on on that URL, it takes you someplace else. I’m informed these websites aren’t hacked, however quite, this is a matter on Google’s finish.
Listed here are some screenshots displaying this difficulty from JC Chouinard:
He posted many different examples on X, however you get the purpose by now.
Danny Sullivan, Google’s Search Liaison, posted on X, “I believe John Mueller [a search analyst at Google] appears to be following up on this, so I will go away it to you each.”
I did ask JC if he has been in contact with John and I used to be informed no, he was not – at the least on the time I wrote this story.
John did put up that he handed alongside the main points:
I’ve handed it on to the workforce & they’re trying into it. Thanks!
— John (@JohnMu) February 26, 2024
I’m wondering how a lot visitors is being diverted away from legit websites to those scammy websites over this difficulty? I’m wondering how massive of a difficulty that is and the way this may get resolved. I actually do not assume I’ll ever discover out…
Discussion board dialogue at X.
