Change in Rank if I am logged into Google

If I log-out my website Rank Drops

[Kelcor]

Did I miss something? Is google personalizing search based on user history?

When logged into Google it shows how many times I have visited my own website from a specific key term search. This feature I have been aware of...

However, for example - Our website was in the top 3 for a specific search. I logged out of my Google account, and the same search dropped 3 positions... Still on the first page, but not the same position.

I had an employee from another location try the same Search and he had the same results when he logged in under my account. Organically he saw the lower result.

Am I 3 months behind everyone realizing this? To check organic results - log out?

[dirty_marra]

also noticing the same. i wonder if the "logged-in" search is running off a different data-centre or if it specific to the user.

it's more annoying than anything...i check a couple of keyword combinations and think i am number one only to log out and find i am number 2.

mind you it does remind me to log out before doing the search...I'm always a bit sceptical about checking my SERPs whilst logged in....what a doubting thomas I am!

[synergy]

Sounds like personalized search to me. When you are signed in, Google keeps track of your search and click habits and knows that you have a focused interest in the topic that your site focuses on, thus raising the rank of your site when you are signed in.

[StickyNote]

Try removing all google cookies from your browser, that usually gets me back to 'default' results.

That is unless you have google toolbar installed, in which case it may not help.

[Robert Charlton]

Is google personalizing search based on user history?

Seems to me that the word "personalized" implies that it is based on user history. What else could it be based on?

[irldonalb]

Could logging out change the Data Center your connected through? Different Data Centers have different PR values from time to time.

I'm just throwing ideas out here.

[sem4u]

I think that synergy's comment is spot on here.

[Pico_Train]

You can disable search history storing in your google account. Just go in there, turn it off and delete all the histories...works for me!

[rustybrick]

If you prefer to see unpersonalized results, but stay logged in, just append &pws=0 to the end of your search query URL.

Here is an example: [google.com...]

[outland88]

I’m glad somebody asked this question. My site is appearing in all the listed DC’s and when I sign in to Google account which I did for the first time a few minutes ago. The problem is the site isn’t showing once I sign out. I’ve tried deleting cookies and other little tricks but nothing seems to work. My two other computers are unaffected and the site appears correctly on them. The affected computer never seems to change from DC 72.14.253.104 plus I manage Adwords with this computer. There’s something I’m missing and I hate switching computers to see if my site is listed.