Is this a Google slap? I can't tell

[GoodnightSweetRatRace]

I registered a domain 4 weeks ago, after finding a very low competition keyword I could easily rank for. And after adding some content to my website, within 3 days Google placed me on the 4th page. Nice start.

However, just a few days after, I was nowhere to be seen for my keyword, and unfortunately that is still the case now.

The thing is, this keyword is VERY low competition. Anything past 10+ pages, is almost irrelevant to this keyword. Even my "About" page, is ranked on the 7th page, and it has no content and no backlinks pointing towards it.

I don't understand whats going on, I'm still indexed in Google, I'm just nowhere to be seen for my keyword. I've only built about 10 backlinks (More than the #1 competitor) and these are all completely natural and white hat.

All the content is unique and written by myself, I just dont understand.

Somebody enlighten me?

[mmickeals]

Hi Goodnight,

What you are seeing is natural. Sites will tend to bounce up and down as you build backlinks. Brand new sites also get the QDF (query deserves freshness) bonus in google. So they are ranked higher than they naturally would for a short time. Your site probably deserves to rank where it does now. My advice is to make sure your on page seo is perfect, and continue to build backlinks. Try to focus on high pr backlinking, and I bet you will find yourself zooming up in no time.

[andynathan]

If you are still indexed by Google then you have not received the Google slap.

[dburk]

Hi Goodnight,

The term "Google slap" was coined to describe an AdWords account that had a substantial number of Quality Scores for lowered, effectively disabling their campaign. The term has nothing to do with organic rankings, though that doesn't stop those with little knowledge from using the term erroneously.

I believe mmickeals nailed it. You are describing the typical result you should expect from the effect of QDF. You have likely done nothing wrong and your pages are ranked right where they deserve to be ranked based on you SEO efforts so far.

• "Google slap" refers to AdWords Quality Scores.
• QDF (Query Deserves Freshness) refers to boosted search engine rankings for new pages.

[GoodnightSweetRatRace]

Originally Posted by dburk

Hi Goodnight,

The term "Google slap" was coined to describe an AdWords account that had a substantial number of Quality Scores for lowered, effectively disabling their campaign. The term has nothing to do with organic rankings, though that doesn't stop those with little knowledge from using the term erroneously.

I believe mmickeals nailed it. You are describing the typical result you should expect from the effect of QDF. You have likely done nothing wrong and your pages are ranked right where they deserve to be ranked based on you SEO efforts so far.

• "Google slap" refers to AdWords Quality Scores.
• QDF (Query Deserves Freshness) refers to boosted search engine rankings for new pages.

Ok thanks for clearing that up.

But why would my "About" page, with NO content, and NO backlinks be outranking my home page?

[Mikeys]

Looks like you are just google dancing

[dburk]

Originally Posted by GoodnightSweetRatRace

Ok thanks for clearing that up.

But why would my "About" page, with NO content, and NO backlinks be outranking my home page?

Hi Goodnight,

Probably because it is new and indexed after the homepage. It may still have some boosting from QDF.

Even though you believe it has no backlinks, that is probably not the case. What you mean is that it has no backlinks from external websites. Links from internal pages are backlinks as well, and PageRank flows through them in the exact same way it flows from external backlinks. I wouldn't be surprised if you are prominently linking to the About page from your homepage, you are, right?

[GoodnightSweetRatRace]

Originally Posted by dburk

Hi Goodnight,

Probably because it is new and indexed after the homepage. It may still have some boosting from QDF.

Even though you believe it has no backlinks, that is probably not the case. What you mean is that it has no backlinks from external websites. Links from internal pages are backlinks as well, and PageRank flows through them in the exact same way it flows from external backlinks. I wouldn't be surprised if you are prominently linking to the About page from your homepage, you are, right?

I have the one backlink to my About page from my Home Page.

My "About" page has been floating around Page 7 and 8 since it was first indexed (About 3 weeks ago), so this is not QDF.

[dburk]

Originally Posted by GoodnightSweetRatRace

I have the one backlink to my About page from my Home Page.

My "About" page has been floating around Page 7 and 8 since it was first indexed (About 3 weeks ago), so this is not QDF.

Perhaps not, but it has a good deal to do with how much competition you have for QDF slots. If no other newer pages have come along to outrank it, it could very well be QDF.

Either way I wouldn't spend a moment worrying about it. As new pages, your rankings will be very transient. Focus on SEO and promotional activities that will help you earn the higher rankings you seek. The correct ranking order will work itself out based on those efforts.

[idreesfarooq]

There is no Google Slap, you are under Google Advice. My advice is to continue building your backlinks on relatively high PR Sites and do it on continuous basis and wait for some time. You will get good position after you come out from Google Dance.