Search terms not highlighted in Google cache

[blend27]

I used to click on "CASHED" link in SERP, then notice the color of the term from the query and look for that color on that page.
Very helpful when looking for specific info, technical stuff, code, not SEO Related.

For the past few days, G does not display that form me. Just pasted a Known Bug description, very unique, Goog found the exact page I was looking for, but when I Clicked on "Cached" the only word that was highlighted was the word "not".

Tried some search phrases that I track, most generic word from the query gets highlighted and that is it.

Tried it from several computers, different networks,nt different states... same crp.

Did I miss the Memo on this?

[Robert Charlton]

There wasn't exactly a memo. It's been claimed as a bug by Google, noted in a Google support thread, and most clearly explained by Barry Schwartz here...

Google Cache Highlight Search Query Bug
Search Engine Roundtable - Nov 30, 2011
[seroundtable.com...]

If you are signed into Google when searching, Google will not highlight the word. If you are signed out, Google will highlight the word.

I assume this has to do with the SSL search dropping query data to pass to Google's cache. But Googler, Sarah, made it sound like it is a temporary bug.

I can't get a link working in WebmasterWorld to the Google discussion... Perhaps someone else can.

[Leosghost]

Here ya go Robert :)..it's a hell of a hack/ kludge ..but it works ..it will get you there..:)
[google.com...]

[Leosghost]

<slightly OT>
btw this has been going on for quite some time ..

But..what amuses me is that G has at least 3 results in the top 4 for this query

"Google cached searches no longer work for me. I click on "cached" and instead of highlighting my search words, nothing happens. I tried this on Firefox" ..but leave off the "quotation marks"

( SEW is at #3 in there too ) and all of them lead to this same thread from 23.11.2011..

I wonder does Google's own WMT page ( the one they would look at ) point out to them that they have a problem with 3 results ( URLs) leading to the same file..but with at least 3 different file paths..:))

And do they care..like they infer we should, if it was our page with at least 3 different ways to reach it..? ..I don't think they do..

</slightly OT>

[Robert Charlton]

..but it works ..it will get you there..

LG - Thanks. Actually, I'd gotten that far, but decided Barry's article much more efficient. The post with the Google "answer" is displayed as this line, beginning with Sarah's name in red...

11/29/11 Sarah Me Thanks all for your detailed responses in reporting this. This is something that we are aware of and are looking into. As you have...

And back to the "bug"...

To take thoughts a little further about the root cause of no data for the cache team, it's got to be tied in with loss of referrer data not only from those signed in, but my guess also from anyone using a secure connection to access Google (which includes all mobile devices). Haven't had time to check that, but I'd be surprised if that weren't the case.

[blend27]

Not sure what the cause is but, G used to work for me for that.

The thing is, 2011 does not cut it for me, it was ok a week ago. then boom, all queries went one highlighted word only. I look up main keyword that I rank for on several ecom sites, most of the time, then error messages from Open Source code/software that I evaluate, same story..:( ?

No correlation with search terms, niche, never, ever been logged in,... Cookies, n' all that crp blocked..

Literally Java Exception Trace and Green Fried Tomatos, where "Java Exception" and "Green Fried" words omitted all together. And.. Trace and Tomatos are money terms.

I want a tool that worked as a part of a tool set.

[Robert Charlton]

blend27 - Possibly something else has changed how you're connecting. Are you accessing Google on http or on https?

As I interpret things, if it's https, you won't be seeing highlighted search terms in the cache.

[blend27]

Local network via Comcast, one Laptop, NJ, never smelled goog cookie, blocked at fire-wall.
Public Network Via WiFi in NYC, another Laptop.
Very Private Network, Proxy, GOV(yep, very secure, blue coat, Websence filtering), NYC, via WA Proxy.
WiFi via Verizon, diff Laptop
WiFi via ATT, mother of ... limbs open, diff laptop, never been on either networks, principal.

NJ vs NY diff SERP, river apart. but same as far as the issue is.

I dont see it as network or cgi.https is "on" issue.

[Robert Charlton]

blend27 - Just to simplify initial considerations, when you're on Google, is the protocol you're seeing in the Google url http or https?

You have a lot of WiFi/laptop mentions in the above routes in, and it's likely that Google would consider all of those as mobile searches. Note in my second post on this thread I said...

...my guess also from anyone using a secure connection to access Google (which includes all mobile devices)

On mobile searches, Google had said it would automatically switch to https to protect searcher privacy.

[blend27]

Not sure, here... but the connection I am posting this from is hard wired network, cached copy is pulled from HTTP, I am not "signed in", no one ever was on this network and never will while I am alive. Tried FireFox 3.69-11-15, IE 8-9-10, in Private Browsing Mode on and off. Same IP for over a year.

Just did a search for "North Kansas City", fist link - "Kansas City" is Highlighted, "North" is not. When Clicked on "Cached", the actual GOOG URL includes exact URL I am visiting and the search term in it.

The tool that worked for me few weeks ago does not work any more :(.

Well, at least Bing! still highlights things.

Robert, All, Thanks for participation.