I have three web properties that I am attempting to get ranked well. I have 3 computers, two laptops and a desktop. I will pull up the search results for one particular web property on all three computers at the same time, using various browsers and the results will be different. This is true of all my sites. Example for one web property: Windows 7 + chrome = page 1/3rd position Windows Vista + IE = page 3/8th position Windows Vista + firefox = page 5/6th position Windows XP professional + Firefox = page 8/5th position I have tested this with my other two sites, and I get the same thing. The results fluctuate depending on the browser at least, and I can literally line my computers up and see the differences. This means that SEO is kind of pointless, because I'm not sure which results are the accurate, but this also explains why the traffic should have been better but wasn't when I thought I was having first page listings. I have worked on my sites very intelligently, having had a lot of experience with poor choices. The ones that are taking some time in moving up the listings I totally understand. However, it is very depressing to see that it almost does not matter when the search results are not accurate. However, at the same time for older sites they are very consistent, just not my newer sites. So, has anyone experienced this before? I have also noticed google is doing other crazy things like displaying affiliate hop links as search results, thinking that its a page when its really just an affiliate id. I also have noticed that the new version of google keyword tool is not nearly as accurate and has completely different results than the older tool (which I miss with all of my heart). Anyway, would love to hear everyone else's experiences, because I'm at a loss. I don't know how to continue working at this point if I don't know what I'm working for now, or if I can't trust the system.
Yep, this is a common little fluke that happens to everyone at some point! What's happening is Google is customizing your search results based on your history. Login through a Gmail account, opt out of 'personalized results' (http://www.google.com/support/accounts/bin/answer.py?answer=54048) and then go back go Google search to see the actual rankings. Between customized, history, intention based results.. it is harder to make your niche in organic search. That is not to say there isn't opportunity there. It is still possible to get consistent rankings on big traffic producing keywords and for broad match on long tails.. you just have to be wise on the keywords you are targeting and make sure there isn't a local search 7-pack above the organic listings!