5 year old domain suddenly dropped in ranking

[kail27]

I have a domain keyword1-keyword2.com, for last 5 years it was #1 on queries like "keyword1 to keyword2", "keyword1 keyword2", "keyword1 keyword2 keyword3", etc. (quotes are not part of query). About two months ago it had seriously dropped in ranks on major google sites (google.com, google.de, google.co.uk, google.ca, etc.) where most of my customers are coming from, BUT it's still ranked pretty good on google sites like google.com.vn, google.pl, google.dk, google.ru etc.

I was trying to change content on my site to make it more unique (it's not affiliate site, I'm selling my own products there): I've changed my products descriptions (I have an affiliates who could use those descriptions) trying to avoid potential duplicated content issue, changed html code to make it 100% valid with w3.org, removed outgoing links to non-relevant sites. Nothing changed in SERPs, but what is interesting when about a month passed since I've made my changes to the site it suddenly raised in ranks nearly to top position for few days and then dropped down again.

Using Google Webmaster Tools I've found that my site has about 2000 external links, link:site.com search returned only 25. And what is most annoying, top ranking position now belongs to keyword1-keyword2.org site which was registered about three months ago and just month ago it was still "This domain is parked" style page.

So I would be happy if somebody give me any comments on this situation, I experiencing huge loss of sales because of this strange google behavior.

BTW, I was never using AdSense or any other advertising solutions.

Thanks for your time and sorry for my English, it's not my first language.

[tedster]

Hello kail27, and welcome to the forum.

First, your experience with the link: operator reporting a lot fewer links than what you can see in Google Webmaster Tools is standard. Only the verified site owners get to see the fuller report (which is still not everything.) The general public only gets to see a small sample of backlinks.

Reference threads:
Google link: operator FAQ - it's not like other search engines [webmasterworld.com]
Google Webmaster Tools reporting LOTS more link info [webmasterworld.com]

The ranking changes may or may not have much to do with your website changes. What you describe "could be" the way that Google treats revised pages - with a test period of high ranking and then, quite often, a drop. However, your report is also not that different from what many members are discussing in our big thread:

April 2007 Google SERP Changes [webmasterworld.com]

As you read through, you will see reports of such changes in ranking, even for sites that changed nothing.

[glengara]

Hearsay suggests too many changes and G can treat it as a new site, did you keep the old url structure?

[kail27]

Thx for reply.

URL structure remains exactly the same, only changes were made to HTML code and textual content.

[glengara]

I'm doing the same with and old site but decided to do it gradually rather than all at once.

Early indications are positive, no major drops for the "new" pages....yet :-)

[experienced]

same here, i have added a new section in 5 yrs old site which is having high rankings, new section is very genuine in terms of content and linking and page seo structure, but due to this my all pages gone under supplemental old+ new and site loose the premium rankings. now i have removed the new section fully and lets see what effect comes out..