how can you tell if a domain 'owns' the keywords or just by fluke?

[AffiliateDreamer]

Hi,

If you type in a 2 word keyword phrase like 'blue widgets' sites turn up in google. How can you tell if the top 3 sites really earned their way to the top of they are just there by fluke? (i.e w/o any SEO done on the part of the webmaster).

Many times a really popular site turns up and the keyword phrase is maybe a title of a article. But did they really earn it or is it because the site is an authority site?

anywho, what are the clear signs?

[arrowman]

There is no clear sign of good seo.

[Leosghost]

Really good SEO doesnt look like anything 'cept #1 in serps ..

Maybe you meant "intentional SEO" ....

Same thing applies ...the best there is looks natural ..and maybe is ... : )

[AffiliateDreamer]

so it could either be 'really good' SEO or this keyword phrase is wide open for someone to 'own' with a little work.

[markanthony]

I agree with AffiliateDreamer. There are a lot of keywords in markets that are not yet up to speed and there are a lot of markets that are not even participating heavily on the internet yet.

Anyways, those markets have keywords that don't return any relevant results. Just some sites that have that word on them...for lack of content on the web of that subject.