What did this site do right to be #1?

[weebee]

I am just wondering why a "placeholder" site that have zero backlinks (based off the "link:" query) can be ranked #1?

Since I can not refer to the site by name, let just refer to the site as <city><profession>.com which ranks #1 for the Google query "<city> <profession>".

Except for the fact that it's domain matches the query perfectly, I cant seem to find any logical reason how it can outrank more established directories and "real" professional sites which have very similar domain names, ie <city>-<profession>.com or <profession><city>.com.

Also the site I am referring to is not even a "real" site but instead its homepage is trying to sell or rent the domain name.

I can discount cloaking since the "cache:" google query returns the exact same page shown when you access it through a browser.

So I guess my real question is how can a non-relevant, zero backlinked site rank high in Google?

[edited by: tedster at 10:16 pm (utc) on Aug. 5, 2009]
[edit reason] make details more generic [/edit]

[SEOPTI]

Visit alltheweb, apply the link query once again and post what you find.

[weebee]

Hi, thanks for the reply.

the link: query in AlltheWeb returns no backlinks except the two pages the site has: example.com, and example.com/example1.html

I'm really stumped on why it is being ranked high even with no real content and no backlinks.

[edited by: engine at 1:04 pm (utc) on Aug. 6, 2009]
[edit reason] please use example.com [/edit]

[signor_john]

History, maybe? How long has the page been in the #1 position, and what did it look like before now?

In any case, I wouldn't draw any conclusions such as "the best way to rank #1 is to have a placeholder page." :-)

[santapaws]

are they ranking for the term "Placeholder"?

[tedster]

The fact that a <location> word is involved may be a big part of it. Local search has its own "logic" - which is not yet as mature as regular search.

You also may find that you are seeing this site at #1 but someone searching from another location sees something different. (Also be sure to do your checking while signed OUT from any Google account.)