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Google’s Playing Tricks On Me
October 22, 2008
I started out on a journey to make it to the first page of Google for the term “make money online” when I first started this blog.
My strategy was very simple; write articles and submit to article submission sites to gain valuable backlinks (anchored with the term “make money online”, of course).
My plan was going extremely well. I managed to, with only 20 articles written, get on the 6th page of Google for the term — I fluctuate between page 6 and page 4 all the time.
Not bad for only 20 articles don’t ya’ think?
20 articles? How’s that possible? That’s only 20 backlinks!
Well, it’s possible because I don’t just have the 20 backlinks for the article on the article submission site, I also have backlinks from everyone who used my articles — and a lot of people used my articles.
I took time to write decent articles for that very reason; so a lot of people would use them, and they did.
So over time the number of backlinks grew, and still does to this day, and will continue to for as long as those articles are on those sites and the “make money online” niche keeps producing more Websites.
At some point, I got tired — pretty quick actually. Between writing posts for this blog, and ghost writing for others, writing articles to simply give away to an article submission site became a hassle for me.
And I had an incredibly difficult time deciding which ones to keep for myself and which ones to submit. So, at about 20 articles, I stopped.
Yet, I still managed to get to the 6th page, and the farthest out was the bottom of the 3rd page for the term “make money online” — an extremely competitive keyword, by the way.
So how is Google playing tricks on you?
I always type in the phrase “make money online” in Google’s search bar to check my position for the term. Lately, something strange has been happening. Several times I saw myself as number one on Google for “make money online”. At first I was ecstatic. I couldn’t believe it.
It was joy and doubt all in one sip of the cup.
So, of course I had to take screenshots, in case I was going nuts. I wanted proof so I wouldn’t be sent to Google’s loony bin.
But that wasn’t enough for me
I thought I was nuts, my browser too. So I closed my window, opened a new one, cleared the cache, closed it and opened a new window again.
I typed, “make money online” into Google’s search bar once again.
Here’s the second screenshot.
By this time I was sure this was something permanent. But of course, I didn’t stop there. I needed to be absolutely, positively, 100% sure this was what everyone else in the world was seeing when they typed in “make money online” into Google’s search bar.
So for the second time I closed my browser, opened a new one, cleared the cache and closed it, then opened a new one again.
Sadly, the third time, I was no where on the first page. I was back on the 6th page like I usually am — this crushed my little heart.
It was good while it lasted
It sure was. And it has inspired me to continue my article marketing in hopes of still achieving that first page ranking. If I haven’t mentioned it, I set a 6 month goal to get to the first page — yes I failed, but only because I got lazy.
Who knows what page I would be on, if I didn’t stop at 20 articles. Where would I be if I continued on to 200 articles? Who knows. Should have, would have, could have’s are out the door now.
But it was fun seeing myself rank number one for my preferred term.
What are your thoughts on all of this?
Some people say it was Google simply going through an update, others, like myself are clueless. Has this ever happened to you with a competitive keyword?
Please, enlighten us in the comment section.
That’s a new one! Well at least you can frame the snapshot. I tried the search and saw your site on page 6.Very curious indeed….
I’ve seen some my sites bounce around from the first page of Google to the fourth page and beyond. The Internet is ever-changing as is Google’s algorithm.
There are people who like to sit and monitor their sites and soon as they see it slipping down the ranks, they do more marketing, backlinking, bookmarking etc… to keep it at the top of Google.
So, it may be in your best interest to do a little research and see what sites are in the top ten for your keyword, how many backlinks they have, and who’s linking to them.
With this information, you can then plan a strategy to at least rank in the top 10.
Just my two cents
Corrisa
Hey Luis, I have had that crushing feeling plenty of times, then looked to see that I was logged into Google–darn personized search, I despise it!
How Google ranks webpages is really a mystery to me! Certainly internet users will return again and again to sites with great articles like this.
Google tailors search results more and more. They are currently greatly influenced by language of Google search you are using and past searches (if it is enabled in Google account). I suspect there are more factors and most certainly even more will be added in the future.
Sban – I know right? I never heard of this happening to anyone else! I’m thinking wood frame, chrome trimmings . . .?
Corrisa – Yeah, I’ve done all of that. I know what’s up. A lot of these sites hire people to write for them. I don’t bother to do that, so it takes me a bit longer. Thanks for sharing Corrisa!
Clickfire – That must be it. I was logged in as well. But even then, It never happened before, and my Website is in no way linked to Google account. Am I missing something? I’m clueless!
Eddiego – They sure will!
Rarst – They sure do Rarst. I get it for the most part. I just don’t understand how I randomly appear number one like I did. Maybe it’s like Clickfire said above; because I was logged in. But again, my account is in no way linked to my site. Is Google psychic?
That night you asked me to check it out I kept scrolling page after page.
I didn’t say anything cause I wasn’t seeing it.
But you don’t need Google to validate you kick ass
I’m telling you
“It was joy and doubt all in one sip of the cup” – LOL
I was seriously enjoying myself up until 3/4 of the way through your article. Part of me was dying to see what the “trick” was – thinking it was some kind of odd browser set up I had never known about.
Then…I started thinking…hmm..Luis, you sneaky dog….you’re setting me up for a big laugh at the end. Ooooh, what a cliffhanger, I’m on the edge of my seat…
Then BAM! I’m hit with … “I have no idea what happened. It just vanished”.
I’m feeling extremely unsatisfied dude. lol
That’s crazy stuff man, especially number one for “that” keyword. You could have really taken advantage of that spot. lol
LOL@ checking, restarting/clearing cache multiple times!
Awesome.
Cheers man!
Jay
Luis, I think if you’re simply logged into Google, you are subject to get personalized results. Sometimes it can be subtle or not even noticeable. In this case, your personalized history (maybe you clicked through a few times?) probably made Google think you preferred to see TBR up top. That’s my take.
I suspect you were logged into your gmail account when you found yourself number one.
I believe that Google keeps track of where you click so next time you do a search, the results you clicked on in the past are displayed first.
Google is more and more presenting individual results based on things like geography and past search behaviour.
This is an excellent description of what you did and the outcome. Very educational for folks who are trying to figure out ranking better. Thanx.
Dang that would be heart breaking.. I think its a Halloween prank!
John – I figured that’s why you never responded. Then after the third time I knew it was probably just showing for me!
SuiteJ – LOL! Sorry man! I did make it seem like I knew a way to do it. And I do: gain quality backlinks anchored with the keyword . . . a lot! But wasn’t the suspense wonderful? Thanks for stopping by!
Clickfire – You’re wonderful! I was logged on so that definitely has to be it. Thanks for clearing it up for me. You’re a star!
SEO – Yup! Clickfire put it straight for me! Thanks for concurring!
B Nelson – LOL!
I fluctuate all of the time on the keywords that I am trying to dominate. I applaud you for your short number 1. Even if it was a fluke, you will own that spot soon enough. Your blog has given me so much insight on SEO related things, and even though I am not in your niche, you help me daily. Plus your friendship is even better. You are a real person and not a fake like most out there. Between you and John Sullivan of Potpolitics.com I have made it to where I am today in the blogging world, while daily being pressed to go further to try to keep up with you guys!
Thanks for everything!!!!
Tony Cathey
http://www.imablogger.net
Luis,
Great article. I have had something similar when it comes to google “pics”. I am almost always number one when you do an image search for “lighter” because of my hillarious “Aerosol Hairspray and Lighter” post. But everyone once in a while, it’s the same lighter pic in the number one spot, but it’s linked to a different website. Go figure! Thanks for the entertaining story and I look forward to reading your future articles now that you’ve got your second wind.
OutsideMyBrain
I just came across your site today an it was on the first page for the search term.
you have a great looking site and very informative articles just loved it so i know i’ll be coming back. “Great Job”
Wishing you the very best,
Joe,
Google can be moody. That’s how I sum it up! lol
I can pop up between #1 and #3 listed on page one of most searches that I see were done on not only basic keyword searches, but also random phrases in my traffic stats. Hell, one day my site came up on page 1 from a search of the word “women”, which I though was pretty damn amazing, not because there was any doubt
, but because that is such a broad search keyword that it’s not even funny!
I’ll check on those same words and phrases that brought me traffic a week later, and it’s a toss up as to whether I’ll still be on page 1, further back in the pages, or there at all.
You will never figure out Google’s methods. You will go nuts trying!
Ahhh snap man! Google on that crack yo! I’m convinced…they don’t even know what they’re doing anymore, just random horseplay! lol
Maybe it was different datacenters, maybe it was personalized results, who knows!
All I can say is, smart move taking a snapshot lol…at least they won’t lock you up for being crazy!
LOL… though yours is back to page 6, I’m sure that moment of joy was worth to experience it one more time, right Luis?
Yan
I am not sure what that was all about, but it is really great to hear you are getting back on the wagon and going to go after it again. That’s what I am talking about. So what you got burned out, it happens. Just keep moving towards making it happen and in due time you will be there on the first.
Must have been nice to see that…even if it was only for three searches!
I wish the Internet were more democratic! Or is the term, “competitive?” There’s one player in the game, and, to me, if it offers different result with ONLY the passage of time, then it’s not very valuable to me as a search engine.
Now, that is not to suggest that people seeking to “make money online” shouldn’t bow down to Google. Clearly, they need to.
Great article and very educational as always. Keep up the good work!!!
I’m trying to do the same thing with “The Truth About Franchising” I’ll let you know how it is going! Congrats on the growth.