2clean - 3:23 pm on May 7, 2009 (gmt 0)

Google is definately running different algo's based on the competitiveness in the sector. Adwords competition I'm sure is being used as a metric for determining whether the organic algo is set to flux (forcing a payup by publisher for a consistent position) or not.

I don't need to be convinced otherwise, I've seen it and I've been able to document solid examples of Google dampening organic search results where the publisher is also participating in an Adwords campaign and I'm now advising all clients to use separate domains for adwords and organic based advertising, and taking steps to ensure these domains are kept separate at all costs.

From where I see it, Google is able to mine keyword referral data from Google Analytics (it's always bugged me that GA was free) to establish existing emerging keywords that are delivering traffic. The organics on these keywords get majorly fluxed to the extent that the only way to get constancy is to start a campaign.

There is no niche that is safe from this. Once there is sufficient interest in the keyword niche, you watch it go into flux. Think of it as G's version of following Twitter conversations for trends.

2clean.