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Have I been penalised?

by Clojo
13 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Hi Warriors

Was wondering if someone could help me.

I have been happily sitting on page 1 of Google for my main keyword for the that last 2 months. I got to page one without any backlinks and after having launched the site for only 5 days.

This week, I am nowhere to be found - or at least in the top 1000 results. Webmasters says that I am indexed and if I type in a specific keyphrase from my site on Google I can find it.

Coincidently this week, I am Google/Yahoo site explorer has picked up a load of backlinks 30 odd. Could this be the problem?

Someone had suggested that this was the Google Dance?

I have very relevant and useful content on my site relating to my keyword and my competitors all sniper sites, have less content are just as optimised and have less backlinks. 1 or 2 and they are all still on page one. What could have happened.

Has Google penalised me for some reason?

I am adding more content to my site. All relevant.

What should I do to get back on page 1.

I am going to submit some articles and do a squidoo lens also.

Any advice would be most welcome.

Many thanks/.

Clojo.
#penalised
  • Profile picture of the author Kenwa87
    I have others complain about this and they all say it could be the google dance. Or perhaps you now have some competition? the best thing to do is to keep on going and building up your backlinks as much as you can. don't panic! just keep on going. You will find your way back to the top. good luck.
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    • Profile picture of the author Clojo
      Originally Posted by Kenwa87 View Post

      I have others complain about this and they all say it could be the google dance. Or perhaps you now have some competition? the best thing to do is to keep on going and building up your backlinks as much as you can. don't panic! just keep on going. You will find your way back to the top. good luck.
      Thanks for the info Ken. I am not sure it is the competition as it is very weak for my keyword. For instance third page of google there is hardly anything of relevance.

      I hope it is the dance! I will keep backlinking and adding relevant content.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kate V
        Ya... Google results for me are Really JACKED UP right now...

        I mean... I'm getting 3 sometimes 4 results from the Same Domain in the SERPs. Honestly I'm getting pissed. I don't want a full page of just 3 different domains from google (and I am logged out of google when doing this ).

        At first I thought it would pass... but its been going on for like 2 weeks?

        Anyone else seeing this?
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  • Profile picture of the author Fazal Mayar
    same for me... i was top 60 now im top 700 for my keyword...the hell?
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    Blogger at RicherOrNot.com (Make Money online blog but also promoting ethical internet marketing)

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  • Profile picture of the author Sweely99
    If you launch a new site and it ranks well the first days -- it's because of the freshness of the site. Google loves to serve new content to its users.

    Just go on with building links
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    • Profile picture of the author ElectronPlumber
      Here is a FAQ I put together with some steps you can take to see if you were penalized. It might answer some of your questions:

      http://www.warriorforum.com/adsense-...exed-sunk.html
      Signature
      The Electron Plumber
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      • Profile picture of the author Clojo
        Originally Posted by ElectronPlumber View Post

        Here is a FAQ I put together with some steps you can take to see if you were penalized. It might answer some of your questions:

        http://www.warriorforum.com/adsense-...exed-sunk.html
        Thanks Electron

        I found my site by just putting in the url and I came number one, but when I put it in "quotes" it was on page two. My youtube vid was number one. Does that mean I have been penalized? I certainly haven't done any of the things on the list! I wouldn't know how to!

        I did change my WP theme at the weekend. Do you think this would have had the effect? I changed it cause the site wasn't converting so well, so thought that would help. I have now changed it back again. What do you think?
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        • Profile picture of the author ElectronPlumber
          Originally Posted by Clojo View Post

          Thanks Electron

          I found my site by just putting in the url and I came number one, but when I put it in "quotes" it was on page two. My youtube vid was number one. Does that mean I have been penalized? I certainly haven't done any of the things on the list! I wouldn't know how to!

          I did change my WP theme at the weekend. Do you think this would have had the effect? I changed it cause the site wasn't converting so well, so thought that would help. I have now changed it back again. What do you think?
          That's ok Clojo.

          It's the difference between a broad search query and an exact one. Think of it this way, without the quotes you are asking Google to return sites that it thinks overall are about or close to the search term mysite.com, and your site should be at the top of the list.

          When you search for "mysite.com" with the quotes like that, you are kind of asking Google for sites that contain that exact string somewhere on them. That Youtube page simply outranks you for that exact phrase.

          The theme change is VERY likely the issue. If you changed it back, you'll likely see your rankings return in a week or two. Figure out the difference between your old and new themes before you attempt it again. You likely changes something small without knowing it that looked really big to the GoogleBot, like the new theme no longer links back to your home page from the header or is missing a widget that contained links to internal pages.
          Signature
          The Electron Plumber
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          • Profile picture of the author Clojo
            Originally Posted by ElectronPlumber View Post

            That's ok Clojo.

            It's the difference between a broad search query and an exact one. Think of it this way, without the quotes you are asking Google to return sites that it thinks overall are about or close to the search term mysite.com, and your site should be at the top of the list.

            When you search for "mysite.com" with the quotes like that, you are kind of asking Google for sites that contain that exact string somewhere on them. That Youtube page simply outranks you for that exact phrase.

            The theme change is VERY likely the issue. If you changed it back, you'll likely see your rankings return in a week or two. Figure out the difference between your old and new themes before you attempt it again. You likely changes something small without knowing it that looked really big to the GoogleBot, like the new theme no longer links back to your home page from the header or is missing a widget that contained links to internal pages.
            Thanks Electron.

            You have been really helpful. I really appreciate it. I think I will just keep with my original theme for now and see how I go.

            Clojo
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    • Profile picture of the author paulgl
      Originally Posted by Sweely99 View Post

      If you launch a new site and it ranks well the first days -- it's because of the freshness of the site. Google loves to serve new content to its users.

      Just go on with building links
      Google seems to demand fresher content from some sites and/or niches.

      Paul
      Signature

      If you were disappointed in your results today, lower your standards tomorrow.

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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    If those 30+ backlinks you have showing up as indexed in Yahoo Explorer are low PR backlinks. If so, stop building the low PR backlinks & focus on better quality (higher PR) hand picked backlinks.

    Sounds like the competition for your exact keyword is weak, If you stayed on page #1 for 2 months without building links, also assumes you wasn't looking at personalized search results when checking your SERP position.
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  • Profile picture of the author jack jastin
    Really, Its very problematic situation you are facing. What I can also suggest is to just keep doing and putting your efforts for SEO because ultimately its fact that SEO is totally on going and slow response process So just have a patience please and Good luck.
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