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Weird--?Traffic versus broad, phrase, exact

by ibarrister
3 replies
  • SEO
    • |
I hope that are all fine. I love this place.

I have a traffic issue that no one seems to know the answer to. I will give you the exact specifics of a traffic problem with the actual keywords and site.

I have an Adsense site---cyclingbikesreview.com. {If it were not so self serving, I would ask everyone to click on the ads--Google make way too much money} ): The search phrase is "cycling bikes".
In broad match, the phrase gets 49,000 daily searches.
In phrase match, it gets 1,627 daily searches.
In exact match, it gets 62 daily searches.
Currently, the site ranks within the top 5 results on page one and, typically within the top 3. However, the problem is that the site rarely gets more than one impression per day. It is driving me nuts.

Part of the equation I have figured out is that when analyzing searches, or really competition, is to use phrase match. However, I am clueless as to which search type to use to gauge for traffic. I am stymied by this. I have done this same thing for five other sites that are at the same stage.

I hate to think of the time and money spent on these sites. (I hate even worse to tell my wife.) But, that is part of the business.

If anyone knows of a good way to tell, in advance, how much traffic your site will receive with the type of search, that would be fantastic. I just don't understand this.

Thanks for the help.
#broad #exact #phrase #search types #traffic #versus #weirdtraffic
  • Profile picture of the author bcryan
    As I understand it you are trying to rank for the phrase "cycling bikes"? When I type this into google you are not even in the top 100?? I also get the term having 49500 exact matches a month
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  • Profile picture of the author Lucid
    Using the preview tool, you do rank fifth for "cycling bikes" (without quotes) and first with quotes (phrase/exact match).

    Cycling bikes is somewhat broad. You are showing for everything from "schwinn cycling bikes" to "places that fix cycling bikes". Your site is about buying bikes. So many of those searches may not be for those looking to buy.

    Those looking to buy, they may have already been more specific such as "schwinn cycling bikes". You don't know. Your description is "Learn How To Choose Cycling Bikes. Then Choose The Best Cycling Bike For You!". I've already made my choice and looking for a Schwinn so why would I click on it?

    So the answer to your question is there is no way. In your case, you are targeting a very narrow type of searcher but your keywords are broad. This reduces the click rate which is what I believe you are experiencing.

    Does that make sense?
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    • Profile picture of the author ibarrister
      Thank you bcryan and Lucid!!
      I appreciate your help.

      The site was ranking within top five for all three match types for about a month. I think it may have been a Google anomaly.

      Lucid, you brought out something that I did not think of. The site is off base as to what the searchers want. With Adsense, the object is to try to give searchers information. But, I think you are correct as the term is more of a buying term where people have made up their minds already and are prepared to buy. As such, I will change the site to an ecommerce site and see what happens. I will let you know.

      Thanks again to both of you. However, I do have a question. Which type of search, broad, phrase or exact would be the best to gauge how much traffic that a website would receive?

      Thanks again.
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