ODP title/description in MSN

[markymark]

Okay, here's the deal. My subscription for my own site at PT ran out last month, but as I noticed other non-paid inclusion pages from the site appearing in Ink. partners, I decided not to renew it for the three paid inclusion pages.

So I am waiting for Ink to pick up those pages previously in paid inclusion. However, doing the usual searches at MSN, I have noticed that my home page is appearing pretty much where it was in the SERPs, except that it is using my ODP title and description.

This seems to be true for all Ink partners. So c'mon MakeMeTop and all - explain to me why this might be happening.

[MakeMeTop]

I've been trying to dig up the thread on WMW where someone from Ink talked about this. It appears that recently they have been prone to use ODP titles and descriptions and LS titles/descriptions on some sites in order to give 'a better user experience'. The criteria for getting this 'bonus' I haven't worked out yet. However, if it is like the LS title deal - it is not all bad, you get your own title/description/content brought into play as well as a boost if your keywords are included in the ODP/LS entry.

It seems to happen mainly on non-paid Ink pages, though I've also seen it happen on paid occassionally.

Not a lot of help, I know - but this is a comparitively new move to use ODP details although LS title/description has been around a while.

You should take it a compliment - you have a 'worthy' site :)

[markymark]

Thanks, Barry. I kinda figured this was a good thing. Is it possible that the use of ODP titles/descriptions occurs only where there is no Looksmart listing, as my site isn't in LS. Haven't seen much of a boost in rankings though. Still struggling away at about 33 for search engine positioning where I've been for months.

I'll try to find that WMW thread. Do you remember the reasoning behind this - aside from the nebulous concept of better user experience, which in this case meant replacing a perfectly descriptive title with the name of my company.

[glengara]

I think this is probably it.

http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum1/1453.htm

[glengara]

I've just found myself in Ink. after a three month wait; a "colleague" is complaining of his MSN/Ink rankings down.
Has there been a major BOW update that has changed the serps?

[sanity]

I too have a client whose title and desc are their ODP listing. They have quite a few pages in ink - all via free submission ages ago.

The change to the ODP desc has only recently happened from what I can see.

Sophie

PS Thanks for the link to the WMW thread.