Anybody noticed this - change in keyword order ranking?

[MarkR]

Until recently, I have always been able to write good SEO content and rank for a combination of a city name and a keyword in either order. Like - I optimize for "Chicago Plumber" and automatically ranked for "Plumber Chicago" too. Not always the same exact rank for both, but always on the first page for both.

In the last month or more, only the exact reference I make using those keywords gets ranked highly and the opposite form gets ranked 3-6 pages down in Google.

Is it just me, or have you notice this? Any explanation? I'm perplexed.

[debra]

Originally Posted by MarkR

Until recently, I have always been able to write good SEO content and rank for a combination of a city name and a keyword in either order. Like - I optimize for "Chicago Plumber" and automatically ranked for "Plumber Chicago" too. Not always the same exact rank for both, but always on the first page for both.

In the last month or more, only the exact reference I make using those keywords gets ranked highly and the opposite form gets ranked 3-6 pages down in Google.

Is it just me, or have you notice this? Any explanation? I'm perplexed.

How funny....I did the chicago plumber thing too. And still do! So...your the one I've been sparing with. lol

Yeah...I noticed this about 6 months ago. I have some theories but nothing I can say on a consistant basis yet.

Google seems to take your keyword phrases literally, even on the local terms. And it has helped by tightening the onpage rules a bit. The backlinking has also been selectively tightened in how you go about it. Staying micro focused has, so far, been doing the trick.

[MarkR]

debra,

Actually, I'm in Michigan and my clients are too. Chicago was just an example. But maybe I should prospect in Texas!

Thanks for chipping in. It's nice to know I'm not the only one seeing this change.