Ranking #1 for decent traffic keywords, but not receiving any traffic?
-
A site I work on is ranked number 1 for a few keywords. To see how much a keyword is searched per month I rely on Google Adwords Keyword tool (https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal). Using this tool I see that the keyword receives 880 local monthly searches and another keyword they rank #1 for receives 1300 local monthly searches. To me these keywords are not the biggest as far as traffic but they are not small by any means.
Now here is the issue. Like mentioned above, the site nmber 1 for multiple keywords. They have been ranked number 1 for these keywords for months. Looking in analytics the other day I notice that on a month to month basis both of these keywords are getting 1, or 2 visits. This past month (October) one of the keywords did not receive ANY visits, and that is being ranked #1 for a 1300 monthly searched keyword. It just doesn’t make sense. I would imagine getting at least 100 or so visits a month from these search terms.
Could someone please help me understand this a little bit better?
-
I'll just add that I wrote a post about this topic recently:
-
Any one else with any information on this?
-
When I originally replied I wrongly assumed the traffic numbers provided were correct. Yannick brought up an excellent point. The exact match searches are 16 and 36 for the two phrases involved. 52 is not a lot of global monthly searches and some of those are likely you or your site owner performing those searches. The bottom line, you have the #1 ranking on two terms without traffic so that is why you are not seeing any traffic.
Even changing the search query from "daytona beach insurance" to "insurance daytona beach" (shows 58 searches which is more then the other two combined) then moves your 1st organic result after all of the Google Places results.
My best recommendation for improvement is to grab a Google Places listing if you do not have one already. If you do have one, optimize it as you are not listed in the results.
-
I had a look, it is 1300 for broad, but only 28 for phrase, and 16 for exact, now to me, the words daytona and insurance, are not words i would expect to see in the same search term unless the were in a phrase or exact. so something does not seem right here.
-
Keyword tool = crap.
1. Did you look at the traffic for phrase match keywords? Or broad match?
2. Second thing you have to consider: the data Google uses in the keyword tool is also from search partners. For instance, in the Netherlands (where I live) google also adds keyword volume from a craigslist type of site. So me searching on the site for daytona insurance will add "a tick" in the keyword tool as well, even though google's results page wasn't shown for that search.
3. Did I mention that the keyword tool is crap?
(With instant search on) Start typing daytona i... and see what starts apearing. Than compare the keywords that appear before insurance to the data you got for daytona insurance. See if that makes any sense.
Good luck! And remember, especially these days, rankings aren't everything. Traffic is!
-
I would highly recommend checking webmaster tools to see real Keyword data if analytics is showing conflicting information.
Additionally, how often are you doing searches for this keyword on your own machine. are you going to an agnostic computer and doing the search. Your search settings may be affecting your personal searches.
-
I agree with John. I took a look at your search results. I was checking to see if your title or other aspects of your search result was particularly bad and might lead people not to want to click on your site, but that was not the case. I also wanted to see if there was an advertisement, or possibly the #2 or 3 result was so compelling (i.e. Insurance for $99/yr!) that searchers would skip your result and click on the others. That was not the case.
It seems more likely you are not reading your traffic reports correctly. Perhaps a filter is set to where you are not viewing all the results?
-
Zgraph, you mentioned you use the Adwords Keyword tool..what other tools do you use? webmastertools or anayltics? You are clearly ranked 1st for "Daytona Beach Insurance" when view serp cloaked...it seems impossible that you would not have any visits.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
How on earth is a site with ONE LINK ranking so well for a competitive keyword?
Ok, so I'm sure you get the gist of what I'm asking about in my question. The query is 'diy kitchens' in Google UK and the website is kitchens4diy[dot]com - which is ranking in third from my viewing. The thing is, the site has just ONE BACKLINK and has done for a good while. Yet, it's ranking really well. What gives?
Algorithm Updates | | Webrevolve0 -
Will we no longer need Location + Keyword? Do we even need it at all?
Prepare yourselves. This is a long question. With the rise of schema and Google Local+, do you think Google will now have enough data about where a business is located, so that when someone searches for, a keyword such as "Atlanta Hyundai dealers" a business in Atlanta that's website: has been properly marked up with schema (or microdata for business location) has claimed its Google Local+ has done enough downstream work in Local Search listings for its NAP (name, address, phone number) will no longer have to incorporate variations of "Atlanta Hyundai dealers" in the text on the website? Could they just write enough great content about how they're a Hyundai dealership without the abuse of the Atlanta portion? Or if they're in Boston and they're a dentist or lawyer, could the content be just about the services they provided without so much emphasis tied to location? I'm talking about removing the location of the business from the text in all places other than the schema markup or the contact page on the website. Maybe still keep a main location in the title tags or meta description if it would benefit the customer. I work in an industry where location + keywords has reached such a point of saturation, that it makes the text on the website read very poorly, and I'd like to learn more about alternate methods to keep the text more pure, read better and still achieve the same success when it comes to local search. Also, I haven't seen other sites penalized for all the location stuffing on their websites, which is bizarre because it reads so spammy you can't recognize where the geotargeted keywords end and where the regular text begins. I've been working gradually in this general direction (more emphasis on NAP, researching schema, and vastly improving the content on clients' websites so it's not so heavy with geo-targeted keywords). I also ask because though the niche I work in is still pretty hell-bent on using geo-targeted keywords, whenever I check Analytics, the majority of traffic is branded and geo-targeted keywords make up only a small fraction of traffic. Any thoughts? What are other people doing in this regard?
Algorithm Updates | | EEE30 -
How long does it take for a website to starting ranking once the website becomes live?
I am in the process of finishing the last touches on my new company's website and I am wondering about the process of getting my new website to rank on google. I've heard many different things from many different people who believe they know everything about SEO, but they can't all be right. Is there a definite timeline? Thanks
Algorithm Updates | | uofmiamiguy0 -
Rank Tracking & Personalized Search
How effective is rank tracking when google tends to deliver personalized search? I tend to clear out my browser of all info, cookies and cache so I can get the best results but how effective are rank tracking algo's in delivering accurate results. I run various apps and tests and I get different results.
Algorithm Updates | | bronxpad0 -
Does Word Order Matter in Local Keywords?
We do a lot of local SEO, and we're wondering if it's better to target "keyword location" or "location keyword"? Does it affect ranking and keyword difficulty if we're trying to rank for "plumbing appleton" or "appleton plumbing"? Any insight would be great.
Algorithm Updates | | optimalwebinc0 -
Does this mean that exact keyword phrase anchor text is not the dominating ranking factor anymore for serps?http://insidesearch.blogspot.com/2011/11/ten-recent-algorithm-changes.html
Does this mean that exact keyword phrase anchor text is not the dominating ranking factor anymore for serps? http://insidesearch.blogspot.com/2011/11/ten-recent-algorithm-changes.html If so what is the new most important factor?
Algorithm Updates | | AndrewSEO0 -
Rankings moving in every 2 days.
Hi, I am seeing strange behavior of Google for my rankings. I have a very competitive keyword (I can't disclose because of NDA) but for example keyword like "Cameras" on google.co.uk , it stayed on #4 spot for years, we have been practising all good SEO techniques for this. From last couple of weeks, it goes to 9 then stays there for 2 days, then come back to 4 for 2 days, then go back to 9 & then after 2 days come back to 4 & it is keep moving like that... at the time of this post, this one is on 9. Our site have been on top for very competitive kws even like word "Camera" we are 2 which is stable... None of our other kws ranks are changed but only word "Cameras" is affected. I am not sure how & why this is happening, I have been following SEOMoz from long time & hope can find solution here. Note : Keywords used here are not actual, but carry equal importance Please let me know.
Algorithm Updates | | spopli0 -
Ranking #1 for Local, Not for National
A client with both a web and brick and mortar store is ranking well for normal web searches locally for many terms but less so nationally. I'm aware that results change due to location and other factors. Specifically, client is wondering if his retail location and corresponding places page are hurting his web results in non-local areas.
Algorithm Updates | | AliveWired0