Website Downtime Affects Ranking?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by PFCritics, Nov 5, 2005.

  1. #1
    I'm not sure if this is the proper forum for what I'm trying to ask, but I guess I'll see :)

    My website, pfcritics.com, was ranked very high in Google for certain keywords. My website went down last Sunday due to a server problem with my host. My website finally came back online today, 6 days later.

    On Google, I noticed that all of my keywords from before don't even list my site. I'm sure I'll get back up there, but I wanted to know if anyone knows how quick this may take for Google to do this?

    Also, my page rank dropped from 4/10 to 2/10.

    Basically in the long run, I'm asking if anyone knows whether this will be fixed shortly/automatically, or if I need to start doing some things myself.

    Thanks:cool:
     
    PFCritics, Nov 5, 2005 IP
  2. Homer

    Homer Spirit Walker

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    #2
    Over the last few weeks google has been updating serps, PR, links, etc. So it's difficult to say your site being down for 6 days is the reason for your decline. It may have been a natural part of this huge update still going on :confused:.

    Your site being down for 6 days is NOT good either, though. Have you tried the site: command to see how many pages remain indexed?
     
    Homer, Nov 5, 2005 IP
  3. PFCritics

    PFCritics Peon

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    #3
    Thanks for the link...I'm going to check it out after this post.

    And yes, 1,590 remain indexed for the site:pfcritics.com command. I hope that's a good thing ;)
     
    PFCritics, Nov 5, 2005 IP
  4. wrmineo

    wrmineo Peon

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    #4
    I don't think your PR would be affected by downtime as that is determined by links, however, your SERP would be adversly affect IMO as this has happened to me. But on that same note, there are so many variables to SERP, to include other people competing for your keywords, this may be but one of the reasons for your SERP drop.

    On a side note, I hope you webhost has coughed up some serious compensation for your excessive down time. If mine is done for an hour I get a month of free hosting, for any 24 hour period of downtime, I get a full year of free hosting. Go get 'em!
     
    wrmineo, Nov 5, 2005 IP
  5. clf99

    clf99 Peon

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    #5
    does anyone have a list of the factors that determine ranking for search terms on google?

    my site, freetimesheet.com, never goes down, but i just noticed does have
    some links that are going to other sites that are no longer valid. do dead links lower PR etc.? journyx.com has a higher PR than freetimesheet.com although they're basically related and similar and of the same age
     
    clf99, Nov 5, 2005 IP
  6. Homer

    Homer Spirit Walker

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    #6
    Welcome to DP, clf99. Are you aware of KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)? They have a secret recipe for thier southern fried chicken batter that has NEVER been revealed. Google is the same with the recipe for serps.

    Read this Wriiten in June, but I think much of this info is still pretty accurate, IMO.
     
    Homer, Nov 5, 2005 IP
  7. PFCritics

    PFCritics Peon

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    #7
    Well, I at least got some relieving news relating to Google. Before my site went down, I had been accepted into Google News for about two weeks. My traffic basically doubled/tripled from that during those two weeks.

    At first yesterday when I published my articles, Google didn't post them. But when I woke up this morning, I was delighted to see that my past few articles are in Google News once again, bringing my traffic up.

    I'm not too good with how Google "finds" keywords, but I would assume that having my site in Google News would allow for some more crawling :D
     
    PFCritics, Nov 6, 2005 IP
  8. PFCritics

    PFCritics Peon

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    #8
    I don't mean to double post, but it's a day later and I have another little update :)

    Today I checked Google and when I searched for "Pro Football Critics", I was back at #1. Under my real name, I'm still not listed, but I do see my site for various other keywords again.
     
    PFCritics, Nov 7, 2005 IP
  9. Homer

    Homer Spirit Walker

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    #9
    Have you seen this thread. I know it's huge! I recommend to anyone concerned with rankings to read the entire thread. However, if you don't have time right now skip to the last few pages and you will see that Google Dcs are a little nuts right now.
     
    Homer, Nov 7, 2005 IP
  10. PFCritics

    PFCritics Peon

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    #10
    Ah, thanks for the find :D It's long, but I get so hooked on reading about that type of stuff that I won't even notice ;)

    One more update: my page rank has just jumped up back to four :) I am delighted now, since everything is back to normal after about 2 days, except some of my SERPS aren't as high yet.
     
    PFCritics, Nov 7, 2005 IP
  11. Homer

    Homer Spirit Walker

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    #11
    All the more reason why you should sit down with a box of pizza and beer in hand and read it :D.
     
    Homer, Nov 7, 2005 IP