Hi folks
I've had a website for about 6 or 7 years now and have seen our keywords slip from #1 to 9 or 10 on Google. The worst thing about that is that while we still have our keywords ranking in the top spot on all the non-Google sites, Google has chosen to put non-relevant sites in above us. Sites with no content, shady practises, and not even close to being relevant, above us in there serps. 4 or 5 years ago I recommended Google to all my friends, now I regret that decision. They have tweaked and tuned their robots so now they can't even do the basic task of serving relevant results.
I would ask anyone that believes Google is doing a good job to compare for themselves how relevant is any search done on Google to the same search on Yahoo, MSN, Ask, or Live.
It's like the old adage "too many cooks spoil the broth" . and I would add too many tweaks spoil the search. Just because it sounds like a good idea doesn't make it so.
My point is Google has tried to control every aspect of Website analyasis remotely and has totally FAILED.
It has been suggested elseware that it's all well calculated plan by Google to send everyone scurrying to paid advertising by the therory of FUD, (fear,uncertainty,and doubt). I'm starting to believe that.
Google needs to go back to stage 1
oogleman posted this at 22:04 — 30th September 2007.
He has: 8 posts
Joined: Sep 2007
google changes . you have to change with it or lose out. Can you reasonably expect to be top forever with millions of new sites coming online.?
Gay Thailand Forum
Dirtbiker posted this at 22:38 — 30th September 2007.
They have: 15 posts
Joined: Sep 2007
Duh
That isn't what I was talking about. The problem isn't our rankings it's the fact that the the sites that are ranking higher are Crap. Googles crap. They've lost touch. They rely on algoritms that aren't working. Just take the time to check the competition. If Google doesn't fix the mess they've created they're doomed.
I'm glad you really like Google. You deserve each other.
Megan posted this at 13:21 — 1st October 2007.
She has: 10,304 posts
Joined: Jun 1999
I'll have to try out one of the other engines next time I do a search to see how it is.
I think one of the problems Google has is that all the SE manipulators out there are targetting them and not the other engines. The others have an advantage there in that they aren't the target for spammers and black hats.
Unfortunately, as webmasters, we can't assume that the engines are always going to do the right thing. They have no obligation to please us, and we have no right to complain when they don't.
If you don't like some of the serps that come up in Google you can always use the "report this search" link at the bottom. If it's still there - I haven't checked recently.
Megan
My web design blog
Dirtbiker posted this at 14:19 — 1st October 2007.
They have: 15 posts
Joined: Sep 2007
Hi Megan
I wasn't aware of the report this search feature. My complaint about Google IS coming from a seo but it's from the point of view of a user and my search should be relevant. For all the work that Google puts into weeding out the junk and making sure everyone's following their "guidelines" it appears to me that they have run into some problems. In the last 6 mos. or so I think their search results have become very much less relevant, to use their term.
I have to admit that they are getting better in someways. Last week for a whole day there was a google employee fielding questions on the webmaster forum.
I also reported a large amount of spam on Dogs for Sale searches and to my amazement they are all gone today. They must actually read the submissions from webmaster tools.
Google needs to put more effort into helping both search users and website owners. To me it seems like they have been only putting their efforts into paid ads.
Megan posted this at 13:55 — 1st October 2007.
She has: 10,304 posts
Joined: Jun 1999
SEOmoz has a good post on this topic today:
Yahoo! Is the Most Fulfilling Search Engine?
MrCat posted this at 09:34 — 12th October 2007.
They have: 169 posts
Joined: Aug 2007
There are many factors that could cause a big drop in your SERP. The most common would be changes in your competitions' links as well as in your site. The best remedy is to continue on with quality link building (your keywords as anchor texts on your back links) on relevant and authority sites in your niche. Also improve on content to make your visitors wanna stay longer in your site
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