Google picking up different Meta-Tags that are not in my site.

Please help. Very urgent.

[hulahoop]

Hello,

Anyone faced this problem where Google is showing a different meta-tags (title and description) of my default page that what is actually written?

I have searched the default page and all other pages on my site and there is no mention of the phrase anywhere in our files.

Our server was also hacked into and my admin said that there could be an SQL injection attack but everything is working fine now except for this problem.

Also the only place I can find this phrase is from Google's search for a particular keyword and from a site that looks spammy. For all other keywords on Google, it is reading the correct title tag.

Please help.

[Quadrille]

Is your site listed in the open directory?

If so, depending on the search terms, Google may use the title and description provided by your entry there.

If your site is not in ODP, it could be a Google error, but is much more likely to be a problem with your shared server setup.

[hulahoop]

Yes, I am listed in [directory.google.com...] open directory and only that keyword is picking the title from that directory entry. Other keywords that I am ranked for are reading from my pages' meta-tags.
Why does google pick from the directory for some?

Also is it possible for google to list a site is more than 2 categories in their directory?

We have a dedicated server so that shouldn't be the problem.

[Quadrille]

It depends on the search term, but on some datacenters, ODP stuff seems to be the default.

Few sites qualify for more than two entries - one in a topical category ("the most appropriate", one in "regional".

There are special cases, such as language and 'authority' sites.

Having two is one more than you'll ever need, so best not to risk them by asking for more :)

[hulahoop]

THanks Quadrille for explaining it.
What if the directory I am in now does not best describe my site. Can I ask for a transfer or would that be dangerous.

[Quadrille]

You could ask to be removed from the directory; but where your site is placed is up to them, and while you could suggest a change, as you may imagine, they have better things to do, and will not thank you.

With ODP, the only wise policy is to suggest your site, then move on. If you really feel that your descripion there is hurting your business, then ask for a removal.

While I do not claim that ODP editors are perfect - they are, after all, human - it is a fact of life that most ODP descriptions are far superior to 'site's own'. if nothing else, 99% of ODP description are just that; 95% of owners descriptions, even after being asked to write a sentence, are lists of keywords or meaningless marketing mumbo-jumbo ("AND MUCH MUCH MORE!").

I'd suggest you get a third party to read the ODP description for you before you take any action!

Good Luck!