I usually don’t post on Fridays — that is unless I come across something I just can’t wait to let you know about. I was thrilled to see in writing what I’ve been stating for some time now about Google — Google simply isn’t what it used to be — and not in a good way. (See, my other posts on this topic linked below this one.)

From a search marketing POV, Google has many scratching their heads. Google isn’t consistent, has become unstable and unpredictable. Heck, we aren’t looking for 100% predictability, but when search results don’t seem to make sense or are all over the board from one day to the next for no logical reason combined with the fact that other sites like MSN Live and Yahoo! seem to be able to offer relevant results (and consistent between the two), that indicates a problem.

Different results in of themselves are not the problem. Nor do I think search engines should all offer the same results. They should all be different; but relevant. Google is now different — but the relevancy part — well, that’s where Google no longer seems to excel.

When you get 404s or 10 year old pages that are covered in an inch of dust over more relevant up to date, current sites — we aren’t offering the best results possible now are we? Or if sites are on the top by virtue of incoming links alone (while Google claims that to not be as much of a catalyst as it used to be) then explain to us how we can make our sites the best they can be for you Google? MSN Live and Yahoo seem to be able to accomplish this.

There are serious algo problems here that simply do not allow those who play by the rules, have great sites that they update and grow to be able to expect some sort of relevant consistent positioning. I know this from experience, with my sites and those of my clients. Maybe Google should remove the Google Search button and just leave up the “I’m Feeling Lucky” button

Google has branding. Google is THE search engine most name drop and run to for searches. But the fact is that Google hasn’t been the Google those of us who have been online from the start fell in love with.

In most cases an intervention requires cooperation from the entity with the problem to face up to those issues, resolve them and commit to addressing them for the long haul. Google has never given any indication in this direction — Google, like anyone in need of an intervention, is in denial.

Google Drinks a Fighting Problem

It is important for every site owner to read this article and take note. This my friends is the reality of Google at this point in time. I would like to hope an intervention would work, but this has been going on for years. It just may be time for a divorce!

At your service,
Judith

I have discussions on the topic of keyword phrases every day. And, if I have just one dollar for every time I had to make a strong point that with search engine rankings less is more — yours truly would be on an island with a satellite dish posting to my various Blogs!

Relevancy is defined as “the relation of something to the matter at hand.” Now, how relevant you are is what those little search engine algorithms will decide based on the content, code and other factors related to your site and on a page by page basis. So let’s make it easy for them! Instead of trying to cram the top 10, 20 or 30 things you are about into every page — think less is more!

Using Realtors and Real Estate Web sites which I have worked on for over a decade, it is not uncommon for real estate clients to want to stuff every possible city and/or county they cover into their sites when we discuss SEO and SEO strategies. I’ve always advised the less is more approach and to only concentrate on your top 3 phrases for your top page and then we can cover city, by city and county by county on internal pages that are only about that one city or county. Less is more! Let your pages be about only one thing so they can be most relevant for that one thing.

If you insist on the stuffing approach, any real estate web site that is all about one city, or one county will always rank higher than the site about 10, 20 or 30 cities. It is common sense that other sites will be more relevant for that one city or county being searched for than another site trying to cover all the bases with 10, 20 or 30 city listed on every page. More dilutes your relevancy. Get it?

Imagine my delight to read a post today about Forgotten Fundamentals of SEO - One Page Per Keyword. This article mirrors the recommendations I’ve provided before their were even the acronyms SEO or SEM being tossed around! (See my related articles noted below this post for more on this very important topic.)

Less is more makes sense. The more you are about, the less you are about any one thing! Keep that in mind when creating your list of targeted phrases. You can also check out my Bullseye Marketing article and free worksheet to get you off to a running start!

At your service,
Judith