Has Google lost its mind? I am the only link in every SERP for a query?
-
I run a small online debutante dress store and have been doing some onsite seo recently. Anyways, when I search for the search query "deb dress style guide" my site is the only search result for the first three pages of Google Australia (my target market). Just endless links to my site. I have competitors in my niche who all have websites worthy of listing in the SERP as shown when you google "deb dresses".
Can anyone explain whats going on?
-
FYI, Deb is an American clothing retailer, and they sell dresses. So even if it's not a brand in Australia, it is still a brand that sells the thing that you're trying to rank for. I can see where Google might find it semantically confusing.
-
Again i strongly feel that this is a case of branded search and should not be dismissed.
Please take a look at the keyword he is ranking for. No stats exist in googles database which only tells me two things
1. It is a VERY LOW producing keyword where getting ranked is virtually inevitable. Because google recognizes that word just as that . i.e.: ( his page title and eve domain url is fairly close to the keyword he is ranking for ) and if no one else is competing for that keyword then the serps will show what is relevant.
2. Branded search . Its his name . Its the business name. The business url , etc and with low competition for that phrase it only makes sense.
Hope i was clear.
Best Wishes
Hampig M
CEO
BizDetox
-
Useful is relevant.
Useful (in Google's eye) means that the page answers the intent of the query. If someone is looking for a deb dress style guide then your pages ARE useful. Since there isn't anyone else competing for that keyword, then all the results are, in fact, useful for the given query.
-
I am not complaining obviously considering im ranking so many times for the search query, but im intrigued by why google considers this useful. "deb dress' is a style of dress and not a brand, so shouldnt be a branded search query for me.
-
Just realized I did search for "debutante dresses" not "deb dress style guide". It would help if I did the correct search, huh?
-
Did you get the same results when you did the search?
-
Nope. It's not personalization.
I've seen this happen for a number of SERP checks. It happens for us for our real estate searches. Not sure why, but I'm not complaining.
-
Brendan,
It looks like you have some sort of personalization on your search. Try this search string and see if you get the same result:
http://www.google.com.au/search?q=debutante+dress&pws=0
I"m not sure how familiar you are with search strings but I just want to take a moment and go over how you can know in the future if you have personalization in a search or not.
If you look at the string above you will notice "&aq=f&oq=debutante+..." everything after this (and including) are parameters in your search. To avoid this take all of it out after your query so it looks like this
http://www.google.com.au/search?q=debutante+dress
then add the following to make sure that all personalization is off
"&pws=0"
Your search string should look like this now
-
Not what my sepr shows in the us. but is AU yes you are right. You have 80% of the share space on the first three pages. I guess there is not enough competition for that specific keyword query.
On my search you dont show up anywhere on the first page.
Only one conclusion.
google is recognizing your query as a Branded search since your website name and url is deb dress. Accompanied by low competition if might do that . ie: its like doing a search for Bizdetox my companies name. All you will find is info about my company and my pages.
Btw what has your keyword research show you in AU in regards to "deb dress style guide"
Also just check your keyword in Google Keyword Tools. It doesnt even show any traffic so of course your going to show up.
More and more i look it looks like a very unique branded search
Best wishes
Hampig M
Bizdetox
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
-
Google's stand on LSI keywords?
Hi all, So the keywords which appear while typing some keywords and suggested keywords at the bottom of the search results page are refereed as LSI keywords. I been noticing some of the LSI keywords for years related to our industry and Google now suddenly changed them. I wonder why it would be. I can see competitors are started using those LSI keywords widely, is that the reason Google changed them? Thanks
Algorithm Updates | | vtmoz0 -
Google Site Links question
Are Google site links only ever shown on the top website? Or is it possible for certain queries for the site in position #2 or #3 or something to have site links but the #1 position not have them? If there are any guides, tips or write ups regarding site links and their behavior and optimization please share! Thanks.
Algorithm Updates | | IrvCo_Interactive0 -
Google Panda - large domain benefits
Hi, A bit of a general question, but has anyone noticed a improvement in rankings for large domains - ie well known, large sites such as Tesco, Amazon? From what I've seen, the latest Panda update seems to favour the larger sites, as opposed to smaller, niche sites. Just wondered if anyone else has noticed this too?Thanks
Algorithm Updates | | Digirank0 -
Does Link Exchanges and Reciprocal Links Is Dead - Now Days ?
Hello, As we know randfish Rand discusses the egress of old link building practices and the ingress of new (old) link _earning _strategies, Rand has also discussed on Link Exchanges and Reciprocal Links, I have few questions which r related to Link Exchanges and Reciprocal Links. Few Question **1) Does Now Days Reciprocal Links Are Important Or Not For Link Building Strategies. ** ** 2) Webmaster Has To Perform Reciprocal Links Or Not.** 3) Can Reciprocal Links Boost Search Engine Ranking. 4) Does Reciprocal Links Has Negative Impact On Search Engine. Regards,
Algorithm Updates | | sumit60
Sumit0 -
How do I separate 2 Google+ business listings?
Ever since Google Places started merging with Google+, my client's business listing is now showing up in local search results incorrectly under another business name who shares the same address as them. Has anyone else encountered this problem or a way to correct it?
Algorithm Updates | | TheeDigital0 -
Javascript hidden divs, links to anchor content
Hello, I am working on a web project that breaks up its sections by utilizing hidden divs shown via javascript activated through anchor links. http://www.janandtom.com/ First question: Is this SEO suicide? I have confirmed that the content is being indexed by searching for specific text but have been led to believe that hidden div content will be afforded a lower 'importance'. One suggestion has having the text as display:block and then hiding it on page load. Will this make a difference? Second: Is there any way to have Google index the anchored content by the specific anchor text? An example for the second question: If you search google right now for: buyers like to look at floorplans Tom & Jan You will get a link to: http://www.janandtom.com but I would rather it be: [http://www.janandtom.com/#Interactive Floorplans](http://www.janandtom.com/#Interactive Floorplans) Sorry if this is redundant or addressed before. I tried searching the questions but wasn't getting and definitive direction to go and this project is a little unique for me. Also, I'm just getting my feet we into this 'high-end' seo (new member of SEOMoz) so please bear with me. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Algorithm Updates | | MASSProductions0 -
CTR for Google Rankings
I run a local business, and I'm working on ranking for keyword + city. I currently rank on the first page for just about every keyword I'm working on, but only the top 3 for a little less than half. Because the search volume is so low for each keyword (for most cities Google doesn't have an estimated monthly search volume) the grand total of a few searches a month for each keyword + city combination is where I get my traffic. Although I seem to be getting consistently higher in the rankings, I am curious as to how much more traffic I can expect. I read somewhere that sites that are ranked number one are clicked 50% of the time, number two 20% of the time, number three 15% and from there on it goes down fast. Rank 7 and on is below 1%. Probably around 30% of my keywords are ranked between 7-10 and probably about 20% are ranked 4-6. Are the CTR numbers fairly accurate? I understand that there are a lot of influences on CTR, such as title/description, but generally is that somewhat accurate? If it is, I am missing out on A LOT of traffic. I am pulling about 800 unique visitors a month from Google. If I get in the top 3 for most of my keywords, can I expect significantly more traffic? I ask the question because there are many other things I could be doing with my time to help the business aside from SEO. I don't want to be working constantly on SEO if traffic is only going to increase very little.
Algorithm Updates | | bjenkins240 -
Link analysis task
Hi mozzers, I am currently working on a phd, and one of the professors asked me for help. He would like to know how many Danish school websites (n=1500) links to a certain section of a government website (the relevant section has around 1600 pages). The problem is, that the government website is coded very poorly from an seo perspective with lots of strange URL variables, entailing OSE can't give valid data. So, what would be the best way to check how many of the school websites link? Throw all 1500 website through Xenu, or is there a smarter solution? Maybe the link out feature on Bing? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciate. Thanks!
Algorithm Updates | | ThomasHgenhaven0