Google Continues Testing Expandable Tab Search Result Snippets -

Back in August 2021, Google began testing this expandable tab search result snippet. Then the test seemed to have expanded in November 2021. Last week, I had countless folks ask me about this again, but I am not yet able to see it myself – but clearly Google is re-testing this search feature.

Here is what a normal snippet looks like (click to enlarge):

Here is what the expandable tab version looks like – in dark mode (click to enlarge):

Here are more examples from some (not all) of the people who shared this with me last week on Twitter but trust me, I had dozens of people email or share examples with me:

@rustybrick Hey Barry. I thought that, if anyone knows that this search feature is new, it would be you.

Each of the steps are clickable, up to step three.

Is it or am I just now being part of a test? pic.twitter.com/Yg8SWjwUpF

— Bill Neto (@BillVazNeto) March 25, 2022

@rustybrick I think this is not new, right? Google expanding SERP layout with subcategories from the headlines in the content. pic.twitter.com/0s5RESDS8o

— Ahmed Alaa 🇪🇬🇵🇸🇦🇪 (@AhmedAladin24) March 25, 2022

@rustybrick First time I’m noticing these tabbed links on Wikipedia results. pic.twitter.com/j3uDkvp5a6

— Jeff Russell (@rock_hawk) March 25, 2022

First time I’m seeing this SERP feature. Apparently triggered by table of contents within the page. Anyone else seen this? @JohnMu @rustybrick pic.twitter.com/ae21vY82Qe

— Lum Kamishi (@LumKamishi) March 28, 2022

This is fun @rustybrick
Tabs on a Brand SERP
(idea stolen from @bing I am guessing)

But if this becomes widespread, anchors on headings on homepages become a big, big deal in Brand SERP world 🙂 pic.twitter.com/69kzi8WNzI

— 𝄢 Jason Barnard 🇺🇦 (@jasonmbarnard) March 28, 2022