Ok.... Before we get going I would like to say that, "I have not hit the promotion button to bring my website to the top" When I log into one of my google accounts and search my website pops up at either the first or second spot for a keyword. When I log into another account and search the same keyword my website is about 9th or 10th..... Why is this?
When possible, Google will customize your search results based on location and/or recent search activity. Additionally, when you're signed in to your Google Account, you may see even more relevant, useful results based on your web history.
There was a video interview I saw with Matt Cutts talking about this. Cutts said, "I'm not sure I would say ranking is dead but it's not as important as it used to be. The fact is the smart SEOs are not just necessarily looking at the rankings. They are looking at conversion, they are looking at their server log. It's great if you're ranking for a phrase but unless that leads to sales that doesn't help you very much." "The challenge is not to pay so much attention to ranking, pay attention to traffic, pay attention to conversions and keep building good content and don't worry about 'can I show people that I rank number one for my trophy phrase.'" I dont think I can post links yet, but it is on Web Pro News website and is called "What Googles Matt Cutts sees in 2009" If someone else would post the link, it is a great interview.
When you're logged into your google account, you are seeing personalized results based on your previous web history https://www.google.com/accounts/Ser...p://www.google.com/psearch&nui=1&service=hist http://www.google.com/support/accounts/bin/answer.py?answer=54041&hl=en
Google are really going for it with personalised search at the moment. We track numerous keywords across numerous data centres and we see all types of different results - it's not uncommon for a SERP to jump from No. 6 to No. 17 withing a few minutes!