Where does Google get the snipets it uses in the SERPS

Description snipets

[bigace]

I thought I knew where Google picked up the snipets used in the SERPS. In the Jagger Update the snipets seem to be changing, not just for me but for some others as well.

I have a site that has been #1 for certain KWs for many years. The description has been right out of the Description Meta tag. It is still #1 but the snipet has been changed to a very old description from many years back. I don't like this description and would like to change it. If I was searching the subject, I wouldn't click that description even though the site in in position #1. I would just skip over it and move down the list.

Evidently searchers feel the same way because the traffic has decreased somewhat.

Anyone have any experience with this and have suggestions?

[stapel]

It looks like Google might be using the text in the META "description" tag. At least, that's what the results are showing for my site.

Eliz.