Bye Bye Top 3 Rankings?

cmg06 · 08-20-2011, 11:46 AM

In October 2008, Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman and former CEO of Google once declared the Internet a "cesspool".

Furthermore, Eric stated that search engines should allow brands to surface above and beyond other similar content.

This week, I noticed that his initiative has been implemented on a small scale on google.com for some brand keywords.

Check out this screen shot: http://bitly.com/nCgHZd

With the exception of the brand company or website, do you think these coveted Top 3 spots in Google will eventually be dominated by the new Google sitelinks that we're seeing now?

In some cases, Google is showing ten links to the brand's most popular webpages. Amazing!

Are revising your SEO strategy to accommodate and profit from the new Google sitelinks?

Generally, searchers are lazy, and they may not scroll down to see your website in the #2 or #3 spot. What are you doing to compensate for the lack of targeted traffic, and conversions?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this new initiative. Thanks!

RichardF · 08-20-2011, 11:54 AM

In many cases I think this will have little or no impact for those ranking below that huge link blob. In my experience there are two kinds of brand queries.

One is where you actually want to go to the brand's official website, in which case the CTR for #2 and beyond would be terrible no matter how it looks.

The other is where you're looking for objective info on the brand or their products, in which case you would most likely just scroll by all those links. You're not likely to get objective info from the official site, are you?

I've seen some horrible examples though on searches where the brand is also a generic keyword, like "Bodybuilding". Those situations will be really rough for people ranking below #1. Honestly I think this update makes everything worse, and I can't imagine any situation where I would prefer it (even as a regular user). Let's just sit back and hope they revert it... perhaps not too likely though.

cmg06 · 08-30-2011, 10:56 PM

As if the new Google sitelinks weren't enough to discourage search engine optimizers, Google is now experimenting with a new and longer description.

If Google rolls out these new website descriptions, all of the prime locations for the Top 3 spots will become even more valuable for ecommerce websites.

More than likely, the website in the #1 spot will get 90% of the targeted traffic or more.

Here are some screen shots of the new website description in Google results:
2011-08-31_0046 - tomc2010's library (keyword: solar courses)
2011-08-31_0052 - tomc2010's library (keyword: bible quotes)

Let me know what you think. Thanks!

thebitbotdotcom · 08-31-2011, 03:04 AM

I have seen that and more recently. They have been testing like crazy as of late and I believe that it will keep changing.

nicktyler · 08-31-2011, 03:07 AM

It does almost take up the entire screen but I suppose that is the point. I think RichardF has a very good point about user behaviour when brand searching and it is a case of they allready know if they are going to visit your site or not.

PooFinger · 08-31-2011, 03:12 AM

The top three positions are just about always taken by adwords campaigns, especially considering that the background of these ads is extremely close to white, a generic user would easily confuse these with Organic search results.

markowe · 08-31-2011, 05:15 AM

So we all have to create authority sites, then... Hmm, guess what, the only site I have that has these sitelinks is a brand site (in my sig). When will a micro-niche site earn that privilege..? Don't hold your breath... Fortunately most EMD type niches aren't dominated by brands anyway so this might not be an issue and the status quo will remain for now.

Also, remember, Google only determines a "brand" algorithmically, it's not looking them up in some Big Book of Brands. So you COULD turn electricearwarmers.com into an authority site - just add an active user base, blog, forum, low bounce rate and you'll be at no. 1 and have sitelinks in no time

cmg06 · 08-31-2011, 09:33 AM

The SEO world is changing for the better, and it will become more difficult for new people.

Outsourcing companies in India, China, and others will struggle because they're still using SEO strategies from 1999. Some will fall through the cracks, and other will thrive.

If all goes well, a new and elite group of savvy online marketers and SEO professionals will emerge and dominate the #1 spot for thousands of broad and niche keywords.

Unless I'm mistaken, part of their SEO strategies may include the purchase of brandable domain names. I'm predicting an increase in the purchase of brandable domain names soon because of the importance and appearance of brands in the Google SERP.

Consequently, domain names generation companies such as namestation.com, and nameboy.com may also see an increased in business soon.

Any thoughts?

markowe · 08-31-2011, 03:08 PM

I repeat, how does Google know what a "brand" is? It's all just words to the algorithm.

JamesGw · 08-31-2011, 03:10 PM

I saw that before. It's pretty interesting. We'll see what happens, bu I'm not too concerned.

cmg06 · 09-01-2011, 11:23 AM

Google is embracing the Facebook affect, and implementing one-on-one copycat strategy.

Despite all that Google is doing to be more like Bing, and Facebook, what's truly amazing is that they still manage to keep their homepage clutter-free.

Yes, I agree. Google is not looking into a "Big Book of Brands"; however, they could be using social signals such citations, reviews, current news, and press releases from reputable and established companies to help them rank a website algorithmically.

Arguably, for most of us here, we may never be interviewed on TV or be featured in the New York Times. :-)

For some niche keywords, branding may be irrelevant. The status quo will remain unchanged. Niche min-sites will still flourish, and grow over time.

08-30-2011, 10:56 PM	#3
cmg06 Tom Timely War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA Posts: 142 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Bye Bye Top 3 Rankings? As if the new Google sitelinks weren't enough to discourage search engine optimizers, Google is now experimenting with a new and longer description. If Google rolls out these new website descriptions, all of the prime locations for the Top 3 spots will become even more valuable for ecommerce websites. More than likely, the website in the #1 spot will get 90% of the targeted traffic or more. Here are some screen shots of the new website description in Google results: 2011-08-31_0046 - tomc2010's library (keyword: solar courses) 2011-08-31_0052 - tomc2010's library (keyword: bible quotes) Let me know what you think. Thanks!
	Last edited by cmg06; 08-30-2011 at 10:57 PM. Reason: oh yeea

08-31-2011, 03:04 AM	#4
thebitbotdotcom Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: U.S. Gulf Coast... Posts: 1,791 Blog Entries: 119 Thanks: 167 Thanked 192 Times in 158 Posts	Re: Bye Bye Top 3 Rankings? I have seen that and more recently. They have been testing like crazy as of late and I believe that it will keep changing.
	TheBitBot.Com Article Directory

08-31-2011, 03:07 AM	#5
nicktyler Advanced Warrior Join Date: May 2011 Location: London Posts: 708 Thanks: 8 Thanked 56 Times in 55 Posts	Re: Bye Bye Top 3 Rankings? It does almost take up the entire screen but I suppose that is the point. I think RichardF has a very good point about user behaviour when brand searching and it is a case of they allready know if they are going to visit your site or not.
	Find permanent and contract IT Jobs in Europe 1000's of IT Contract Jobs in the UK live now To search 10000's of IT Jobs in the UK click here

08-31-2011, 03:12 AM	#6
PooFinger Warrior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 25 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Bye Bye Top 3 Rankings? The top three positions are just about always taken by adwords campaigns, especially considering that the background of these ads is extremely close to white, a generic user would easily confuse these with Organic search results.

08-31-2011, 05:15 AM	#7
markowe The Wordbay Guy War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,535 Thanks: 186 Thanked 315 Times in 191 Posts Social Networking	Re: Bye Bye Top 3 Rankings? So we all have to create authority sites, then... Hmm, guess what, the only site I have that has these sitelinks is a brand site (in my sig). When will a micro-niche site earn that privilege..? Don't hold your breath... Fortunately most EMD type niches aren't dominated by brands anyway so this might not be an issue and the status quo will remain for now. Also, remember, Google only determines a "brand" algorithmically, it's not looking them up in some Big Book of Brands. So you COULD turn electricearwarmers.com into an authority site - just add an active user base, blog, forum, low bounce rate and you'll be at no. 1 and have sitelinks in no time
	eBay is full of HOT PRODUCT NICHES with low competition, just going begging! * Isn't it time you were making $$$ with eBay niche sites (like in the good old days)?! * Well now you can, and you don't even need to join the eBay Partner Network! CLICK FOR DETAILS!

08-20-2011, 11:46 AM	#1
cmg06 Tom Timely War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA Posts: 142 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Bye Bye Top 3 Rankings? In October 2008, Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman and former CEO of Google once declared the Internet a "cesspool". Furthermore, Eric stated that search engines should allow brands to surface above and beyond other similar content. This week, I noticed that his initiative has been implemented on a small scale on google.com for some brand keywords. Check out this screen shot: http://bitly.com/nCgHZd With the exception of the brand company or website, do you think these coveted Top 3 spots in Google will eventually be dominated by the new Google sitelinks that we're seeing now? In some cases, Google is showing ten links to the brand's most popular webpages. Amazing! Are revising your SEO strategy to accommodate and profit from the new Google sitelinks? Generally, searchers are lazy, and they may not scroll down to see your website in the #2 or #3 spot. What are you doing to compensate for the lack of targeted traffic, and conversions? I would love to hear your thoughts on this new initiative. Thanks!

08-20-2011, 11:54 AM	#2
RichardF HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 373 Thanks: 7 Thanked 130 Times in 45 Posts	Re: Bye Bye Top 3 Rankings? In many cases I think this will have little or no impact for those ranking below that huge link blob. In my experience there are two kinds of brand queries. One is where you actually want to go to the brand's official website, in which case the CTR for #2 and beyond would be terrible no matter how it looks. The other is where you're looking for objective info on the brand or their products, in which case you would most likely just scroll by all those links. You're not likely to get objective info from the official site, are you? I've seen some horrible examples though on searches where the brand is also a generic keyword, like "Bodybuilding". Those situations will be really rough for people ranking below #1. Honestly I think this update makes everything worse, and I can't imagine any situation where I would prefer it (even as a regular user). Let's just sit back and hope they revert it... perhaps not too likely though.

08-31-2011, 09:33 AM	#8
cmg06 Tom Timely War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA Posts: 142 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Bye Bye Top 3 Rankings? The SEO world is changing for the better, and it will become more difficult for new people. Outsourcing companies in India, China, and others will struggle because they're still using SEO strategies from 1999. Some will fall through the cracks, and other will thrive. If all goes well, a new and elite group of savvy online marketers and SEO professionals will emerge and dominate the #1 spot for thousands of broad and niche keywords. Unless I'm mistaken, part of their SEO strategies may include the purchase of brandable domain names. I'm predicting an increase in the purchase of brandable domain names soon because of the importance and appearance of brands in the Google SERP. Consequently, domain names generation companies such as namestation.com, and nameboy.com may also see an increased in business soon. Any thoughts?

08-31-2011, 03:08 PM	#9
markowe The Wordbay Guy War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,535 Thanks: 186 Thanked 315 Times in 191 Posts Social Networking	Re: Bye Bye Top 3 Rankings? I repeat, how does Google know what a "brand" is? It's all just words to the algorithm.
	eBay is full of HOT PRODUCT NICHES with low competition, just going begging! * Isn't it time you were making $$$ with eBay niche sites (like in the good old days)?! * Well now you can, and you don't even need to join the eBay Partner Network! CLICK FOR DETAILS!

08-31-2011, 03:10 PM	#10
JamesGw Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 1,337 Thanks: 73 Thanked 132 Times in 121 Posts	Re: Bye Bye Top 3 Rankings? I saw that before. It's pretty interesting. We'll see what happens, bu I'm not too concerned.
	Adult Wholesale Direct \| Adult Home Party Kits

09-01-2011, 11:23 AM	#11
cmg06 Tom Timely War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: USA Posts: 142 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Bye Bye Top 3 Rankings? Google is embracing the Facebook affect, and implementing one-on-one copycat strategy. Despite all that Google is doing to be more like Bing, and Facebook, what's truly amazing is that they still manage to keep their homepage clutter-free. Yes, I agree. Google is not looking into a "Big Book of Brands"; however, they could be using social signals such citations, reviews, current news, and press releases from reputable and established companies to help them rank a website algorithmically. Arguably, for most of us here, we may never be interviewed on TV or be featured in the New York Times. :-) For some niche keywords, branding may be irrelevant. The status quo will remain unchanged. Niche min-sites will still flourish, and grow over time.