Google, why do you lie to me?

theseoguys · 10-21-2010, 09:34 PM

This post is twofold. A request for help, and a rant.

I am doing some keyword research for one of my sites using the Adword Data, Google Trends and Insights.

A bit of background. I have done very little SEO work for this site, maybe have 30-50 links with anchor text. No articles, nothing else. Surprisingly, I rank #1 for this search term in Google.ca. I have checked through different IP's and proxies. All confirm #1.

I am using theGoogle Adwords keyword tool, and I did an exact 'phrase' match with the 2 keywords. I look at local monthly search volume, and select my region. The Globlal search volume is 40,500, Local 1000. The competition for this term is mid to high (yeah, right). So, if I am #1, why did I get 3 clicks for my search term?

So, that leads me to believe, that the local monthly search volume numbers are nowhere near accurate. The competition graph can't be accurate, if I have done that little SEO work and achieved that ranking (unless that is global competition data it shows). The Local Search trend graph is level, not decreasing or increasing. OR, my site just sucks! Regardless, being #1 with that kind of search volume should lead to more clicks then 3, even by accident.

So, the other inaccurate data is regarding a recent press release for a client. I look at the stats, doing an exact phrase match, Google claims there were 15,700 results from a press release, just over 2 weeks ago. I thought, wow, great pick up on that one. So I randomly check a few links, click the last page in the SERP, and get Page 9, #83 of 83? Huh? You just said 15,700. Where are the other 15,600? (I know if there were that many, I wouild be cut off at 900 something results). So, I go back to the first page results, and hit refresh. All of a sudden, 15,700 results bcomes 30,500 results (this is google.com) Um, why did the results double?

So, I have to question if any of the information I get from the Google 'tools' as being accurate or not. I am leaning towards a big no. So what to trust for doing a keyword analysis, as I don't like to invest my time on incorrect information.

I would like to think that the data regarding click throughs on an AdWord campaign after the campaign has run, is somewhat accurate. If so, should I be getting keyword popularity from that based on impressions and clickthroughs?

Any help or observations would be appreciated.

seoforu · 10-22-2010, 01:23 AM

That is why it is necessary to check keywords in both google and overture to get accurate data but still then you would have to use your own brain to think what words are most searched.

derekjansen · 10-22-2010, 01:37 AM

I hate to ask the obvious, but you do realise that the "competition" they're showing is for PPC...

I always use SEMRush to confirm figures and see what the realistic traffic could be (based on what the current top position holders are receiving. Maybe you could cross reference with that as well?

petercrouch · 10-22-2010, 06:07 AM

Google doesn't tell a lie to any one, only hide stats about your site.

madison_avenue · 10-22-2010, 06:54 AM

SEM Rush will tell you

How much traffic the keyword receives.

How much of a share the site with the number one position for this keyword in Google receives(rule of thumb is around 10-15% of the total searches).

Basically this is all I need to know. I can then use Travis(free) to assess the competition for the top ten positions i.e On page optimization and number of backlinks.

Brad Callen · 10-22-2010, 08:01 AM

Cutts just came out with a video about Analytics vs. Webmaster tool discrepancies.. same ol' song and dance. "Different locations, different databases, different data centers"

The truth is you should be comparing up against your server logs. Impressions don't always tell you much, as there are a lot of automated hanky-panky going on in the SERPs, and three seconds isn't that long.

I'd like to see the "press release results" you are talking about. Is it just showing you similar pages or how did it jump up to 30k+?

CatalinIcs · 10-22-2010, 08:55 AM

The keyword tool of Google provides a lot of wrong and inexactly data. However, you check the "exact match" for this keyphrase / keyword ?

jhonsean · 10-22-2010, 09:06 AM

I've always think first for the possible answers then I'll go on tools this means that you must have your own construct ideas, Don't always rely on google tools.
Google is not lying its only not publishing your all whereabouts in site.

10-21-2010, 09:34 PM	#1
theseoguys Jordan K War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 833 Thanks: 18 Thanked 92 Times in 80 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Google, why do you lie to me? This post is twofold. A request for help, and a rant. I am doing some keyword research for one of my sites using the Adword Data, Google Trends and Insights. A bit of background. I have done very little SEO work for this site, maybe have 30-50 links with anchor text. No articles, nothing else. Surprisingly, I rank #1 for this search term in Google.ca. I have checked through different IP's and proxies. All confirm #1. I am using theGoogle Adwords keyword tool, and I did an exact 'phrase' match with the 2 keywords. I look at local monthly search volume, and select my region. The Globlal search volume is 40,500, Local 1000. The competition for this term is mid to high (yeah, right). So, if I am #1, why did I get 3 clicks for my search term? So, that leads me to believe, that the local monthly search volume numbers are nowhere near accurate. The competition graph can't be accurate, if I have done that little SEO work and achieved that ranking (unless that is global competition data it shows). The Local Search trend graph is level, not decreasing or increasing. OR, my site just sucks! Regardless, being #1 with that kind of search volume should lead to more clicks then 3, even by accident. So, the other inaccurate data is regarding a recent press release for a client. I look at the stats, doing an exact phrase match, Google claims there were 15,700 results from a press release, just over 2 weeks ago. I thought, wow, great pick up on that one. So I randomly check a few links, click the last page in the SERP, and get Page 9, #83 of 83? Huh? You just said 15,700. Where are the other 15,600? (I know if there were that many, I wouild be cut off at 900 something results). So, I go back to the first page results, and hit refresh. All of a sudden, 15,700 results bcomes 30,500 results (this is google.com) Um, why did the results double? So, I have to question if any of the information I get from the Google 'tools' as being accurate or not. I am leaning towards a big no. So what to trust for doing a keyword analysis, as I don't like to invest my time on incorrect information. I would like to think that the data regarding click throughs on an AdWord campaign after the campaign has run, is somewhat accurate. If so, should I be getting keyword popularity from that based on impressions and clickthroughs? Any help or observations would be appreciated.
	SEO Search Engine Optimization

10-22-2010, 01:23 AM	#2
seoforu HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 393 Thanks: 2 Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts Social Networking	Re: Google, why do you lie to me? That is why it is necessary to check keywords in both google and overture to get accurate data but still then you would have to use your own brain to think what words are most searched.
	website designer Atlanta USA \| Search Jobs Cheap web hosting \| Buy and Send Gifts Online Best Roofing Company in Alabama \| Learn English

10-22-2010, 01:37 AM	#3
derekjansen HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunny South Africa Posts: 175 Thanks: 21 Thanked 23 Times in 17 Posts Contact Info	Re: Google, why do you lie to me? I hate to ask the obvious, but you do realise that the "competition" they're showing is for PPC... I always use SEMRush to confirm figures and see what the realistic traffic could be (based on what the current top position holders are receiving. Maybe you could cross reference with that as well?
	Nitch Marketing \| SEO Training & Implementation

10-22-2010, 06:07 AM	#4
petercrouch Warrior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Google, why do you lie to me? Google doesn't tell a lie to any one, only hide stats about your site.

10-22-2010, 06:54 AM	#5
madison_avenue Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: London, United Kingdom. Posts: 936 Thanks: 721 Thanked 94 Times in 84 Posts	Re: Google, why do you lie to me? SEM Rush will tell you How much traffic the keyword receives. How much of a share the site with the number one position for this keyword in Google receives(rule of thumb is around 10-15% of the total searches). Basically this is all I need to know. I can then use Travis(free) to assess the competition for the top ten positions i.e On page optimization and number of backlinks.

10-22-2010, 08:01 AM	#6
Brad Callen Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 2,398 Thanks: 328 Thanked 270 Times in 179 Posts	Re: Google, why do you lie to me? Cutts just came out with a video about Analytics vs. Webmaster tool discrepancies.. same ol' song and dance. "Different locations, different databases, different data centers" The truth is you should be comparing up against your server logs. Impressions don't always tell you much, as there are a lot of automated hanky-panky going on in the SERPs, and three seconds isn't that long. I'd like to see the "press release results" you are talking about. Is it just showing you similar pages or how did it jump up to 30k+?
	WSO: (50% off!) Shocking new niche finding software uncovers niches that NOBODY knows even exist, guaranteed! 100s of REAL Warrior testimonials in this new WSO! CLICK HERE! Learn how I get #1 Google rankings for any keyword I want. Get it FREE below: => Free SEO Domination Video Course

10-22-2010, 08:55 AM	#7
CatalinIcs Active Warrior Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 44 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Google, why do you lie to me? The keyword tool of Google provides a lot of wrong and inexactly data. However, you check the "exact match" for this keyphrase / keyword ?
	Web design - RCA ieftin

10-22-2010, 09:06 AM	#8
jhonsean Advanced Warrior Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 852 Thanks: 0 Thanked 26 Times in 26 Posts	Re: Google, why do you lie to me? I've always think first for the possible answers then I'll go on tools this means that you must have your own construct ideas, Don't always rely on google tools. Google is not lying its only not publishing your all whereabouts in site.