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So I'm curious to know out of all the people on here that make their living off being top 5 on Google for very competitive search terms, how long are you able to keep the streak alive? Ever had any major problems? When you're on top of your "Google game" what would you say the odds are of you doing well or poorly?
I guess I want to try to gauge the "danger level" associated with being too dependant on free Google traffic :)
That said, you can be dropped form the index for violating their Guidelines, even if you do it accidently. We were dropped for a time because of something we did that we didn't realize was a problem. After finding out what the issue was and addressing it, we got back in and came up to where we were before being dropped.
Now, one issue Google is trying to wrestle with is how to handle problems like this when they occur. There are too many possibilities for overload of emails for them to address all of the folks who contact them. So, I don't know where they will end up with setting up some process for site owners to correct errors and get re-indexed.
You can email them at help@google.com but if you can find a way to actually personally comnmunicate with one of their representatives, you are more likely to get the problem addressed. One way is to go to a conference where they are presenting and try to make contact. The fact that they are there is a statement they are open to contact, is my philosophy. :-) I have heard many times questions about a specific site being asked at conferences and they say to participates that if they will come up afterwards they will address their specific situation.
All that said, we lost 40% of our sales for three months by being out of Google, so I won't ever again rely too heavily on any one SE for my traffic and sales. :-)
honestly I have a very competitive term at #1 and it's been there 8 months.. and I have another site that used to be #1 for a competitive term, both using honest to goodness seo strategies. The second site is now 19, lasted at #1 for 4 months, over the last two it's slipped. AND it's having PR problems (rather annoying ones since the dang site is sparkling clean in seo technique.. sigh).
so basically, you never can tell. Some positions will float with consistent linking work, others, not so much. Millions of factors, not the least of which is the rate of growth of your competition.
not that we need another discussion of 'all your eggs in googles basket', but the problem is being forced upon us, and isn't showing any signs of going away.
but if you can find a way to actually personally comnmunicate with one of their representatives
a while ago... a good while ago, I guess it was January 2001, one of my sites got kicked from the index, and somehow I managed to find a phone number for google, and get somebody on the line. I asked them about my problem, they couldn't see why it was kicked, they put me back in. Had to wait for the next update... but that experience seems so surreal to me now. I wonder who it was I was talking to.
I wonder if it's possible to get someone on the phone there anymore.
We added one page about 9 months ago, but apart from that we have done nothing to it.
I wish they were all like this one - I guess its just down to the competition not reading WebmasterWorld.;)
And if I do ever get booted out of PR0, I will be sure to fly over to the Googleplex and camp out in front of the front doors, like a homeless person with a sign asking them to please look at my domain ;)
And if I do ever get booted out of PR0, I will be sure to fly over to the Googleplex and camp out in front of the front doors, like a homeless person with a sign asking them to please look at my domain
That's actually a great idea. LOL
I'm going to start a company and locate it close to the plex.
For $99.95, you would be able to order one day of picketing with a sign of your choice :)
i wouldn't camp there! I'd be afraid of the real world google penalty ... i guess, they'd spray your tent with grey color and put a grey sign in front of your *new home* that says >>This is a looser, a PR 0'er. Don't talk to him ... don't even point your finger in his direction (= don't link to him)<<.
;)