I'm amazed at how many people are working for Google. D=

by Premier Plugins

Posted: 13 years ago 28 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

I'm sure this is starting to become a dead horse, but, I've been doing a lot of browsing on various marketing forums to gain insight into the new changes at Google and I'm simply astounded at the types of echos I'm hearing in the halls of webmaster land.

Things like:

"Going to immediately try to adjust all my sites to see if my rankings improve."

"Yep, lost 75% of my traffic overnight. Anyone know any tips to improve rankings quickly?"

"Why am I slapped?! I'm completely white hat! My traffic is screwed!"

"Does removing Google Analytics increase rankings?"

"Anyone rebuilt entire site on a new domain yet? How is it working?"

In the months prior to penguin, I lurked a LOT. The soft chants I often heard were "Google isn't the only place to get traffic." and other boastful claims of how people were so proud of themselves because they didn't care about Google. Yet, it is astounding to me that sooooo many peoples' businesses (and even some making those boasts) were so dependent on stable rankings from Google and how much of an impact this latest update has had on their businesses.

Many, many, many were designing, writing, linking, and optimizing their sites trying to please Google to get those precious rankings. Now, a lot of people who followed the rules (and even more who didn't) aren't feeling the Google love and they're desperately seeking ways to please Google, yet again, to regain those rankings.

I guess the overall thought behind this rant is, "Why are so many people letting Google decide how they build, operate, run, and monetize their business!?" Basically working for Google, to provide Google with more content.

I'm just really in awe of how many poor souls have been negatively affected by the latest changes; honestly shocked. And, confused as to why in the world people would be begging for solutions and insights into how they can rework their business, now, to please Google.

I do understand that they are one of the main gateways on the planet for traffic, but the dependance and risk people are taking with their (and in some cases, their families') livelihoods on the whims of a fickle vixen like Google is mind boggling to me.

Diversify. Build your OWN traffic sources. Make a forum, make a blog network (who cares if Google hates them, screw Google), make a link swap program, make a social bookmark site, make a social network, something! Let Google organic traffic be a bonus that doesn't even make it into monthly projections. Learn to obtain maximum profit without Google and let all that just be a bonus that can disappear at any time and have zero affect on your lifestyle.

Just thinking out loud to my friends here at Warrior Forum.

Sorry for the long rant.

TL;DR version: Stop working for Google. Stop building your business, sites, pages, images, posts with Google in mind at all. Don't look to adjust your sites to fix your rankings, use that energy to make your own traffic sources.

PS.
If your traffic referrer logs show "Google" higher than "Bookmark/Type-in" you may be doing it wrong.

#amazed #google #people #working

robp12 13 years ago

I draw a massive majority of my traffic (probably around 80% of it) from Google. I don't do crazy linkbuilding, I don't really concentrate heavily on SEO, I just try to make good content that people will enjoy no matter what traffic source they come from. The traffic from Google just kind of rolls in as I produce more and more quality content.

I think people make mistakes by building websites FOR GOOGLE and not for the readers. If you make good content that's SEO friendly, the search engines will find your content eventually and show you some love.
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tpw 13 years ago

There are dead horses everywhere.

One such dead horse is that Google rants belong here:
Adsense / PPC / SEO Discussion Forum

I don't usually play the Google Sucks game, but Hearing About How Google Sucks Is Starting To Suck.
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- Premier Plugins 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by tpw
  
  There are dead horses everywhere.
  
  One such dead horse is that Google rants belong here:
  Adsense / PPC / SEO Discussion Forum
  
  I felt that since the overall topic of the original post was about moving away from search engine dependance, that the SEO sub forum was inappropriate for such a post. I could be wrong though...
  
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Weeks 13 years ago

I agree. Google is just going to keep slapping until the Net is fully monetized for them. Little guys look out below. But the great thing about the Internet is that its tough to control compared to TV or radio, so the little guys may always find a way to hang in there and even thrive without Google.
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garyv

13 years ago

Here's the plain and simple truth. Google still drives a ton of traffic. Even if you do a link exchange, someone in your link exchange has to be doing well with google for you to get much traffic. Of course there are a lot more ways now to get traffic, but google still remains one of the easiest ways if you know how to work it.

Just because you hate your boss - you don't stop going to work and getting your paycheck. You find a way to get that paycheck despite your boss.

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Premier Plugins

13 years ago

Originally Posted by garyv

True, and, I agree... to an extent. But, I'm of the belief that one runs their own business and busts their proverbial ass to make it successful so that they can find security, freedom, etc.

How is working for a boss (Google) who can basically fire you and send you to the poor house, at any given time, any different from working a 9-5? Isn't doing this (working to please Google) the exact opposite reason of why people tend to go into business for themselves to begin with?

Shouldn't it be a focal point of one's business to have their returning visitors, customers, customer referrals, etc be vastly larger than their traffic from somewhere like Google (or any single source for that matter)?

I'm sure Warrior Forum gets it's fair share of Google traffic, but I'd bet they also get many, many more bookmark/type-in/etc referrals.

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garyv

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Premier Plugins

How is working for a boss (Google) who can basically fire you and send you to the poor house, at any given time, any different from working a 9-5? Isn't doing this (working to please Google) the exact opposite reason of why people tend to go into business for themselves to begin with?

Well the biggest obvious difference, is that your boss doesn't have billions of dollars and the potential to bring you a ton of customers.

Of course you have to diversify, but you make a huge mistake when you ignore the richest guy in the room. You go after that guy first, AND THEN have backup plans if your partnership fails.

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tpw

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Premier Plugins

PS.
If your traffic referrer logs show "Google" higher than "Bookmark/Type-in" you may be doing it wrong.

Originally Posted by garyv

Of course you have to diversify, but you make a huge mistake when you ignore the richest guy in the room. You go after that guy first, AND THEN have backup plans if your partnership fails.

Isn't the point that the OP was making that if Google is the richest guy in your room, then you are doing it wrong?

I have a website that serves 1400 unique visitors a day. Google accounts for less than 35% of my global traffic.

It can be done, but it will never be done if you think that you must have Google on your team.

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Premier Plugins

13 years ago

Originally Posted by tpw

Isn't the point that the OP was making that if Google is the richest guy in your room, then you are doing it wrong?

I have a website that serves 1400 unique visitors a day. Google accounts for less than 35% of my global traffic.

It can be done, but it will never be done if you think that you must have Google on your team.

Very well done. Kudos on that one, my friend.

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garyv

13 years ago

Originally Posted by tpw

I never said you "must" have google on your team - I'm just saying that it's better if you do. That's just a hard numbers fact - not a google fanboy statement. I can't stand the way google conducts business myself, but I'm not going to let money and traffic go to waste because of it.

If they provide a way for me to easily get traffic and money, I'm going to take it. Will I have to jump through some hoops? Probably, so - but is it worth it? Definitely. I've had sites do over 300 uniques an hour with the right timing and google tweaking.

Like I said - I get traffic elsewhere as well - but I won't purposely leave money on the table. If that's not you, then that's fine, there are plenty of other people out here picking it up.

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alistair

13 years ago

Originally Posted by tpw

35%, that's quite a sizeable chunk don't you think?

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Premier Plugins

13 years ago

Originally Posted by garyv

Yep, and I guess this is the fine line we all walk in some way or another. We put our little hands up to the fire as close as we can until we get burned. And, even after getting burned, we'll still keep pushing our cold little hands as close as we can.

I do agree, they are, without a doubt, the largest traffic portal on the planet and one homerun ranking can make you a boatload overnight, but, the stability is just not there. I think the real problem is, that, as far as free traffic goes, there just isn't a source that can even come close to providing the numbers that Google can (for most people).

Perhaps the challenge, for all of us, is no matter how large our Google referrals become, that we focus our energy to get our other sources to match and exceed that number.

On a side note, you know who the ones laughing at us are? The article syndication gurus. *Eyes Alexa & Myob (almost forgot Suzanne!) from across the room*

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tpw

13 years ago

Originally Posted by garyv

I never said you "must" have google on your team - I'm just saying that it's better if you do. That's just a hard numbers fact - not a google fanboy statement.

Just to be clear...

What you did say is this:

Originally Posted by garyv

Of course you have to diversify, but you make a huge mistake when you ignore the richest guy in the room. You go after that guy first, AND THEN have backup plans if your partnership fails.

And I said:

Originally Posted by tpw

Isn't the point that the OP was making that if Google is the richest guy in your room, then you are doing it wrong?

To answer your question...

Originally Posted by garyv

Like I said - I get traffic elsewhere as well - but I won't purposely leave money on the table. If that's not you, then that's fine, there are plenty of other people out here picking it up.

I don't leave that money on the table for others to get either...

I make my sites attractive for Google, but I don't spend more than 5-10 minutes prepping the page for Google...

Then I promote my sites and pages with the intent of attracting people to my pages through the links I put out there on the web. I don't drop links for Google. I drop links for people to click.

No one is suggesting that we block Google at the .htaccess file.

It was merely suggested that people spend too much time worrying about whether Google is going to rank their pages for specific keywords.

I could care less if Google ranks me, but strangely, ever since I have had the attitude that Google should go screw themselves if they think they are going to dictate to me how I build and promote my websites, I have continued to get an increasing piece of Google's pie.

Google is like that crazy girl who you tried to get to go out with you for months. When you were interested, she wasn't. Then you decided to move on with your life and to move on to that other girl who had shown interest in you, then all of a sudden, that crazy chick won't leave you alone. She calls your phone at all hours of the night, and she is always trying to get your current girl to dump you.

Yep, Google is that crazy bitch who hated you when you were interested in her, but as soon as you turn your back on her, she tries to win your attention by throwing herself at your feet. :p

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phil.wheatley

13 years ago

Originally Posted by tpw

I could care less if Google ranks me, but strangely, ever since I have had the attitude that Google should go screw themselves if they think they are going to dictate to me how I build and promote my websites, I have continued to get an increasing piece of Google's pie.

Google is like that crazy girl who you tried to get to go out with you for months. When you were interested, she wasn't. Then you decided to move on with your life and to move on to that other girl who had shown interest in you, then all of a sudden, that crazy chick won't leave you alone. :p

Bill, I love your example about the crazy girl, it's so true though (although I only learned that too late in life lol). Regading your first paragraph above, you've made a great point. Also, it's funny how people are almost thinking you CAN'T use squeeze pages like you used to, but forgetting that that's just what Google doesn't like, or that you shouldn't have banners a certain size above the fold....but again, that's just what Google dictates.

As marketers, we know certain things work best on a website to get the highest response, clickthrough rate or whatever, so we should still do them as long as we know other (and probably better) ways of getting traffic. Of course, it has to be balanced with not making your site look spammy, it all comes back to user experience.

Cheers
Phil

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Karen Blundell

13 years ago

Originally Posted by garyv

wrong...you can't ever rely on the richest guy in the room, because the richest guy in the room is only interested in schmoozing with other rich guys, he doesn't care about Joe Average.

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tpw 13 years ago

Google Kool-Aid drinkers seldom listen to logic or reason.
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Michael Ten 13 years ago

For real. I just published my first Kindle book. I have to change something. I'm possibly surprised that no publishers has sued Google because of AdSense yet.
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Randohm 13 years ago

Google will continue to try to optimize themselves for paid advertising. In order to do this they must fight the internet marketers that use them to get organic clicks instead of paid clicks. The problem is that marketers and google have a symbiotic relationship with each other. Google needs real websites that offer unique content in a creative way because that is what the user is searching for. When the user types in a keyword he wants to get good free content. Google can capitalize on this desire by putting ads on the pages that produce the listing for this content. However, if google bans all organic results then no one will use google anymore. If people just wanted to view ads they would use things like ebay and amazon. So internet marketers will continue to try to exploit google and google will continue to try to exploit the internet marketers.
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WebPen 13 years ago

To be honest though- I feel like telling people to find other traffic sources besides Google is like beating a dead horse now.

People have heard it. Whether or not they follow through is up to them. But at least 5-6 threads a day around here end up saying the same old things.
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- myob 13 years ago
  
  What you don't hear very much is there are many more people who are quietly raking in fortunes without Google. Being #1 has nothing at all to do with the SERPS.
  
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coloma21 13 years ago

To be honest.. i've experienced a huge positive shift after the penguin update... and i can understand that SEO is definitely a gamble if we depend only on that method for income generation.. but as the comment above pointed out as well, how else are we suppose to generate the same cash potential from other methods...

I dont hear anyone bragging about making $7K from tweets & facebooks lol... i'm strictly speaking about affiliate marketing alone... unless you do PPC, then it makes sense...

Any details to your success without SEO.. MR Plugin?
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- Peter Hansen 13 years ago
  
  I am not the member in this room with the longest IM experience, for sure.
  
  But I have done business for some time.
  
  One of the things I have learned is investing in and working away from being depending on a single bridge, funnel, system, organization, person, partner or anything.
  
  In my business we are working towards not being dependant on one bank, one business type, one payment gateway, on product, one product type and one and only search engine etc.
  
  Some would disagree in this strategy and it can be balanced and out balanced to the extreme. There are very rich people who say stay at one thing and get good at it, tweak it, tweak it and tweak it. I am sure some of them get rich faster than I.
  
  But in a world where business policies changes often and where legislation changes more often and drastic then it is more wise to take your time and not being dependant on.
  One search engine (Google)
  One bank (Any bank)
  One Payment gateway (Paypal)
  One product (Adsense)
  One product type (Affiliate marketing)
  One host
  etc.
  
  Remember only one of the participants in the above mentioned list will have alter something to kill your business or get you in severe problems. That is a big risk.
  
  When you are starting your business you do not have the resources to diversify. But you need to consider you do not have a reliable income before you are on top of these things more or less.
  
  But...... this IS very expensive and time-consuming compared to the guys who are just doing one simple business and ONLY concentrating to tweak it. They sky rocket much faster.
  
  In other words. You need to have backups.
  
  Let me know if I can help you Warrior to Warrior.
  
  Good luck
  Peter
  
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basictauren 13 years ago

Hi, how can i make my own traffic source if i dont use em. However using google to build your own traffic source is needed. But i agree once with Mr Plugins, google is not the only one here
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brettb 13 years ago

Great post OP.

My AdSense income chart is now static. It's been a fun ride but MFA is a dead end to growth.

So last month I decided to build a membership site. Once I have a few members then Facebook/Twitter/Mailing List/Bookmarked Traffic should wean me off Google.
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Henry White 13 years ago

How many times do people have to get kicked in the head before they 'get it'?

Gaming Google is not a smart tactic.
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Karen Blundell

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Premier Plugins

TL;DR version: Stop working for Google. Stop building your business, sites, pages, images, posts with Google in mind at all. Don't look to adjust your sites to fix your rankings, use that energy to make your own traffic sources.

thank you!
finally someone with some sense!

My advice to people is this: Ignore Google completely. Google is hurting innocent people, because they want to dominate the Internet.
And you don't need Google Analytics, and close your Google+ accounts.
Keep your gmail accounts if you want to...but the rest...forget about it.

The only way to stop rogue monopolies from running roughshod over our businesses is to stop using their services. Much like people here in Canada did to Bell Canada.

and if you want to read what long -time marketer Ken Envoy of SiteSell wrote about Google, that I so agree with, check this page out:
https://www.facebook.com/SiteSell/posts/314460885266054

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Monetize INTL 13 years ago

I stopped depending on Google in 2009 .. Never touched them since .. I won't mention specific numbers but I was bringing in $xx,xxx revenues daily for months and months and literally 1 morning I wake up to a major Google slap ... To this day I still feel the sting :p Won't ever use these giants, they simply don't give a sh*t about "third parties" like us ...
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neowords 13 years ago

But how to monetirize website without google adsense?
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I'm amazed at how many people are working for Google. D=

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