That sucks grwolz. Do you have any other content besides auction listings, or do you add content to it periodically?
I have a page of content for each category before the auctions. It looks like have to change the theme again for the site. I have customized all my stores so they are not the normal page, but still the same size/container. All the links and search fields are moved and the header and graphics are different sizes etc.. I looked on the BANS forum to see if anyone else was having foot print problems and couldn't find anyone. Several people are having the same issue with getting de-indexed for their word but they say that if you just keep working on SEO and leave it alone you bounce back. Sounds like there is some sort of phenomenon where a new BANS store will rank really high for awhile then get knocked out of the index and then put back in mid range. (thanks Google) BTW, Does anyone have the release date for BANS 3.0? I couldn't find anything on it.. if its not in early Jan drastic measures will need to be taken.
Hey, it's not just BANS sites that have this experience. While Google denies that it exists, you're probably seeing the sandbox effect. Take a look at the threads here on the topic. http://forums.digitalpoint.com/forumdisplay.php?f=67 The vast majority of new sites get a nice early sniff by Google, and then are relegated to a degree of obscurity for a period of time, sometimes up to a year and a half or so. Only a tiny minority of sites bypass this. The way out is to build good content and get those quality incoming links by the ton. Pack the pipeline with lots of sites to which you devote your life. Some will work, some wont. Some that work will stop working. Some that stopped working, will start working again. That's just the way it is. In the long run, the more you build and learn, the more success you'll have. This is a long range proposition in which persistent hard work is the key ingredient.
This is a universal. I agree. I have seen this many many times. And it is extremely frustrating because I can't see the pattern. But then again, why would I? Google has thousands of developers and some of the best minds in the world working on their algorithms. With SOOO many sites, some are near the edges of their definitions for good and bad and will get pulled one way or the other (or sometimes flop as mentioned above). It IS just the way it is if this is your line of work. At least until Google is no longer the dominant player in search... And I think that's going to be a while.
What software or method do you use to cloak your links. It must be pretty automatic. If you can share that info, it would be appreciated.
It involves editing the BANS code files to encode the links before they're displayed and decode them when they're clicked. It's definitely not for the faint of heart (back up your files!) but can be done for both eBay links AND images. This means also that there are no tell-tale "rover" links that Google can latch onto in order to target your site. BANS 3 is supposedly going to do this by default.
I'm not sure I understand your pholosophy. Knowing that your site is likely to drop in rankings at Google for a period of time, why not get time working on your side now? You'll pick up some revenue for a while, and then, when 3.0 becomes available, you can erase the affiliate footprint and your site will come back in its time. I would get time working on my side now. Just my two cents. Afterthought - Lots of internet marketers, myself included, will put up a page or two on a domain just to begin the seasoning process. When it's time to develop the site, you've already passed through some of the sandbox purgatory.
A script footprint is definitely enough to kick you out when google dont like the script But as you say, with unique content everybody should be fine. Unique content even work at Traffic Equalizer sites Your BANS sites will not go anywhere without unique content so go on writing folks.