Google Bolding On Synonyms For Web Searches

Aug 8, 2011 - 8:35 am 11 — by
Filed Under Google

A WebmasterWorld thread reports Google bolding or highlighting words in the search results that are not actual words you searched for. Rather, Google will bold synonyms of the keywords you searched for.

Searching for [leather couches] will return Google bolding words like "sofa" as well. Here is a picture:

Google Bold Synonyms

Honestly, I really didn't think this was new Google behavior but the folks in the WebmasterWorld forum saying it is and sharing other search terms which trigger this.

In fact, searching for [couches] won't result in Google bolding "sofa" but searching for [leather couches] does. Why?

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Google Search Volatility

More Details

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

ChatGPT

OpenAI Working On ChatGPT Tools For Business For Analytics & Citations

Nov 6, 2026 - 10:32 am
Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: November 6, 2026

Nov 6, 2026 - 10:00 am
Search Video Recaps

Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Scaled Content Abuse From Facebook, ChatGPT Search 20% Of Google & More SEO, PPC & Local

Nov 6, 2026 - 8:01 am
Google Maps

Google Business Profiles Manage Offers Help Document

Nov 6, 2026 - 7:51 am
Google

Google AI Mode Asking Searchers To Continue With This Search

Nov 6, 2026 - 7:42 am
Google

Google Shopping Dominating The European Product Search Results

Nov 6, 2026 - 7:41 am
Previous Story: Some ISPs Are Hijacking Searches For Profit