Technical Details

Forum version : #phpBB3
Position : Founder
Concerned browser(s) : Safari
Screenshot of problem : https://www.dropbox.com/s/rqw619p8z8bhz33/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-19%20at%2015.04.56.png?dl=0
Who the problem concerns : Yourself
When the problem appeared : couple years ago
Forum link :

Description of problem

Hi,

I wanted to add a short description to our forum, it currently says 'A description for this result is not available because of this site's robots.txt '

In google wen I search for it. I would like to know how to change this, whilst not compromising the site security.

Any help/guidance much appreciated.

Have you changed it yet?

If so, Please note that it takes a while for google to update the sites description give it a bout 48-72 hours if you have changed it.

Hey Sir Mayo,

where would I change it?

Go to

ACP>General>Forum promotion> Search engines

Then fill in the site description box with your info.

Also you may want to add some key words to make your forum easier to be found when googled.
Again it will take a few days for google to update your site description.

Okay, I just noticed I already had filled in some description text, from a few years back, this never went through into Google? Does that sound right?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v2a3l78rylx4oji/Screen%20Shot%202015-05-19%20at%2016.06.16.png?dl=0

No that does not sound right.

What is your forum url?

Also see if these topics help you:


https://help.forumotion.com/t23007-optimize-your-forum-referencing-with-google-sitemaps


https://help.forumotion.com/t9488-google-webmaster-tools



EDIT: I also noticed i have site description in my ACP From a while ago but its Showing up on google as well, Just thought i would add that I'm having this issue as well.

URL is http://www.orthodontic-solutions.com but it's a private forum for clinicians etc.. as we review their cases.

Is your entire forum set to Members only? Can guests view anything?

No. Is this what's causing the problem?

It could have been, but as long as guests can see posts it should be indexing.

Did you by any chance disable the ability for bots to view your forum?

Where would I disable bots on to the forum? I don't think i did? I have tried to look, but can't find such an option.

You can not stop bots.  The only thing that bots can index is what guests can see.

SLGray wrote:You can not stop bots.  The only thing that bots can index is what guests can see.

Not entirely true. There is a way to prevent them, however, I would like to emphasive this is NOT recommended as it can affect your search engine placement and ranking. https://help.forumotion.com/t55170-bots-who-and-what-they-are

-Brandon

I would not recommend blocking bots.  If you want to promote your forum, it would be best to let the bots index your forum.