Other than data centres, what can create differing results?

[nippi]

I have an SEO business, I only get paid when results are achieved. For example, top 10 on google, top 5 top3 and no.1 are milestones I contract for.

I have one client, who according to all testing I can do, is now ranked between 6-9 on her main keyword, on every data center I can find.

But....

When she turns on google and searches for this keyword, she sees the site at 11 or 12. I know she is not fibbing to avoid payment.

So what could it be?

[AnkitMaheshwari]

It might be due to geo-specific keyword.

[nippi]

Such as .... california hotels? Its not, its more like "blue widgets"

[AnkitMaheshwari]

One more thing that comes to my mind is the possibility of searching on Google when you (or our client) are signed with the Google account. That can create a difference in rankings for sure even when all datacenters are showing same rankings

[nippi]

no, its not that, discounted that already, my testers have no google account, and have checked mine and clients is turned off.

[whitenight]

You are going to get geo-located differing results, whether it's term specific or not.
This has been in effect for about 10 months from now.

As far as the whys?
Her cookies,
whether she's clicked on the link or not,
"impartial" datacenters will also often geo-locate,
10 other things Goog does to the SERPs to make them more "personalized" and hence different.

-----------

What does the WMT rank the site as?

While often buggy, WMT is the only "constant" you could use if you're getting paid for rankings.

[nippi]

wmt says 12.

that is so annoying.

[cleanup]

I agree and have been having the same problem. Very frustrating when trying to evaluate and test. I content myself with my local results and a "different" data center, that way I can at least average out the differences. Otherwise its like I am living in my own reality which may not be anything like what the rest of the world sees....

[aristotle]

Have you checked the SERPs using various Google scraper sites or proxies? That might give you more information.

[aakk9999]

"safesearch" option is another thing that can influence results. Some companies set internet access to default to safesearch=on and it cannot be changed by office staff.

[Hissingsid]

Cookies. Sometimes I forget to clear them and get mildly excited because I'm seeing different results on different browsers, then the pea I call a brain falls into place and I remember that this happened 6 months ago and why.

Cheers

Sid

[nippi]

i was checking all data center, through many different proxies, not logged in, no cookies.

of course now today, everything is at 12....

[Leosghost]

a) a single monarch butterfly
b) expectations of quarterly results

take your pick