I have my site now where when I search for my targeted keyword my site consistently positions at #1 or 2, yet when I check webmaster tools it says the average position is like #16. Why is this?
First of all, what's your website and your 'targeted keyword(s)' ? Secondly, the webmaster tools don't always reflect the proper ranking, You have to do a little more looking into it. Also, make sure you're turning off personal web search when you're checking your own results (do this by clicking your cursor to the end of the URL string AFTER you've made your google search, and typing &pws=0 , then press enter. These are the real results, without all your previous history and search behavior affecting the rankings. You might have already known that, but just helps to clarify
Welcome to DP howdy, when you search your keyword, are you logged in on your gmail account? Because Google will show your site on top position as it records you usually visit your site. Check your ranking position like using proxy or any tools that doesn't direct so Google won't see your IP directly..
Thanks. I figured that google was doing some type of personal search but didn't know for sure. Turns out I'm one or two positions short of first page. Oh well, back to work. Thanks again.