In a move sure to upset all those song lyrics websites, Google has begun showing song lyrics directly within the search results via a knowledge graph above the organic search results.
Glenn Gabe was the first to spot the change, and posted the screenshot below.
They also link to Google Play at the end of the lyrics, with a link stating it is to the “Full Lyrics on Google Play.”
It doesn’t seem that all lyrics are being displayed in the search results at this time, so it is unclear exactly what database Google is pulling the lyrics from.
With the lyrics being linked to Google Play, it does follow with Google’s recent promotion of Google Play – and other music providers – in the search results. This summer, Google began testing a “Listen Now” advertising feature in a sidebar knowledge graph for many musicians.
The impact on lyric sites will be huge, as many of them depend on advertising revenue and ringtone downloads – there are dozens of lyric sites in the search results for any number of lyric searches. However, some websites have been notorious for offering scam ringtones, malware and multiple popups, so Google could definitely argue that displaying lyrics in a knowledge graph is not only convenient but in the best interests of searcher safety.
The addition of lyrics in the search results is hardly a surprise, and one many have been expecting for some time.
Jennifer Slegg
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