Alphawolf - 10:09 pm on May 17, 2003 (gmt 0)

MC,

Why, then, ARE people stressed? Why DO they pay attention to every minute detail? Quite simply, because their livelihood depends on Google.

FULL STOP.

I had the same view a while ago. It's a bad view to have.

You _cannot_ put all your eggs into one basket as people are seeing with this update. Google will always change...always tweak and test.

You may be riding high for 3 or 6 months then an algo change may cause your site to go to Page 2 instead of being in the Top 3.

My view now is as follows:

If one can get thier site into some juicy rankings on Google take the 'free' profits and invest in other marketing ideas.

Take Brett's report [webmasterworld.com] and make use of it.

He took time to put that together for a reason.

It's understandable for folks who have good rankings see them go to junk get upset.

You never know what a good thing you have until you lose it.

Diversify your market exposure or you will forever be at the mercy of Google's whims.

Never become complacent with your rankings in Google. One day, you will become disappointed, distraught, and be at a loss if you depend on the free "natural" rankings.

Adapt and embrace the myriad of opportunities the WWW offers.

Otherwise, you may start to feel like throwing yourself off a bridge and so forth.

If this update turns out HORRIBLE for you it is a blessing, not a curse.

There's not a damn thing you can do to *quickly* react to a google algo change. NOTHING

You can have AdWords, Overture and affiliate advertising up and running rather quickly.

It's a waste of time to complain here.

Go think of new ways to expose your website(s)!

Focus on what you can do, not what you can't do.

The world is not a shiny happy place and nothing is fair.

Become a pessimist realist like me and presume the worst. Be thrilled if someone gives you something for nothing. Plan for disasters because sh*t happens.

AW