Need help understanding Google SERPs for a search term

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by redwing, Jul 11, 2014.

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  1. #1
    Like all webmasters, I am doing SEO efforts to rank for a particular search term. However, I'm totally confused by the results that Google returns for my search term. When I search for my term, the top 10 results come from websites that:
    1. Do not have the term anywhere on their page (not in meta title, description, keywords or in the page content).
    2. Do not have any back links with the search term in the anchor text.

    So, why can't I rank in the top ten with my page being well optimized for that search term? (and I have back links with the search term in the anchor text)

    I'm thoroughly confused.........help me.
     
    redwing, Jul 11, 2014 IP
  2. SearchBliss

    SearchBliss Well-Known Member

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    #2
    What's the search term?
     
    SearchBliss, Jul 11, 2014 IP
  3. sarahk

    sarahk iTamer Staff

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    #3
    are you logged into Google when you do the search? Personalised results will be tailored to your search and browsing history. Open a clean browser and recheck the results.
     
    sarahk, Jul 11, 2014 IP
  4. redwing

    redwing Active Member

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    #4
    Don't want to say the search term publicly.
    I always use a clean browser when needing accurate results.
     
    redwing, Jul 11, 2014 IP
  5. sarahk

    sarahk iTamer Staff

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    #5
    can't show it via a screenshot?
     
    sarahk, Jul 11, 2014 IP
  6. redwing

    redwing Active Member

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    #6
    Would a screenshot not be public?!!!!
     
    redwing, Jul 11, 2014 IP
  7. sarahk

    sarahk iTamer Staff

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    #7
    Yes, but not spiderable.
    and if it's a link to an image rather than on the site you can change it afterwards to a picture of kitten or something
     
    sarahk, Jul 11, 2014 IP
  8. Mahe

    Mahe Member

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    #8
    There might be multiple reasons why you're not ranking.
    I would venture a guess and say your site is probably overoptimized.

    Nowadays with Google less seems more and it is very easy to trigger overoptimization
    especially if you are using EMD or partial EMD or have keyword in your URL.

    Try to dial down on keywords in meta description and title.

    Interject adjectives in your main keyword and use synonims.
    Do the same while with anchors when backlinking, never use same keyword twice.
    Always slightly vary. Probably best to start from scratch with new domain now for quicker results.

    Hope that helps.
     
    Mahe, Jul 12, 2014 IP
  9. j3thro

    j3thro Well-Known Member

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    #9
    How long have you been sending links to the page you want to rank and what kind of backlinks? I know you think that you should be ranking since it's low competition but sometimes you have to wait longer nowadays to see results when doing SEO. Make sure the site you're trying to rank isn't penalized as well.
     
    j3thro, Jul 14, 2014 IP
  10. Matei Gavriluta

    Matei Gavriluta Well-Known Member

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    #10
    I had results for a client in 24h for a keyword. So I guess you go in the wrong direction with your optimization. Hypothetical speaking you could:

    (A) don't know enough about what prospects want to achieve

    (B) you are doing a poor job of explaining the offer

    (C) visitors don't trust your business same as Google - reason why you are not on top

    (D) bringing in visitors who aren't looking to buy

    (E) the site has usability problems

    (F) poor content / landing pages

    If you need more assistance let me know,
    Matt:)
     
    Matei Gavriluta, Jul 19, 2014 IP