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.
β Bill Neto (@BillVazNeto) March 25, 2022
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
@rustybrick I think this is not new, right? Google expanding SERP layout with subcategories from the headlines in the content. pic.twitter.com/0s5RESDS8o
β Ahmed Alaa πͺπ¬π΅πΈπ¦πͺ (@AhmedAladin24) March 25, 2022
@rustybrick First time I'm noticing these tabbed links on Wikipedia results. pic.twitter.com/j3uDkvp5a6
β 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
β Lum Kamishi (@LumKamishi) March 28, 2022
This is fun @rustybrick
β π’ Jason Barnard πΊπ¦ (@jasonmbarnard) March 28, 2022
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
I started seeing today, only for Google US (Chrome incognito mode) pic.twitter.com/IEPjYuA5CV
β Christian Oliveira (@christian_wilde) March 28, 2022
Forum discussion at Twitter.