Do you mean when you are google searching my keyword or "my keyword"

Because the "my keyword" will return fewer results.

Actually, 1.5 million really isn't all that difficult depending upon how well the top listings have already optimized.

If you're up against some very well optimized websites then it will be more difficult.

I cover this in the BoneheadSEO course (below), but here's some tips to get you moving:

• You first need to determine how many links the top competitors for your keyword have. And then make note of this. You can use Site Explorer - Yahoo! Site Explorer.
• Next use a free tool for firefox such as search status and make note of where they're using their keywords on their pages. Do they use them in the places they're supposed to like their title tags? How about in their headings? In their anchor text?
• Make note of this information.

Once you have a good indication of how many links they have coming into their site, and what they're doing (and not doing) regarding on-page SEO, you can then simply attempt to get more links than they do and optimize your pages better than they do.

Now this is a VERY simplified version. The kinds of links pointing to their site, how many links are pointing to internal pages as opposed to their home page, how old their domain name is, etc. All play a part.

- Kristine

I'm 1st in google with for a keyword with 3.5 million search but when they are in "" it is easier

that's a great explanation Iowa Girl! Nicely done. but its harder to do. sometimes you are only up against 1 million but but these sites has the biggest sites where they got their backlinks and and tons of it. I am not saying you cannot compete but it will be harder. Thus it all depends too on your niche.
Don't get me wrong IowaGirl, I really like how you explained and how to do it and in fact i will start doing that..

Thanks
oling

Hi,

Alot more needs to go into achieving a top ranking. And I am not just talking about releasing a press release that stays on the first page for 24-72 hours. (Although, that can be very profitable if you do it often enough...but also pretty costly too.)

The number of competing pages only goes so far. It is way too easy to think that the number of competing pages is all that matters. Yet many "gurus" lead you to believe that is all there is. In reality, that is just the first reality check element.

Then you need to consider the following:

1. How well the competing sites are optimized
2. How well the competing PAGE is optimized
3. How many links are coming into the competing site/PAGE
- and what is the "quality link" ratio of those links?
4. PR of the competing site/PAGE
5. Age of the competing site/PAGE


Once you understand points 1 thru 5 above, then you can do an honest assessment of where you are today and what you are willing to do to do better. There are no easy, fast or miracle formulas.

However, if you are willing to do the deep analysis, spend the time, spend the money, you can achieve great things. My greatest succees to date is #1 for 36,000,000 competing sites (no quotes) for a very popular product. That one listing alone pays my bills and I am thankful everyday for that.

More importantly, that one listing taught me the art/science (whatever you want to call it) for the points I mention above. And the best advice I can offer is try to achieve it first thru an article or authority site (some call it a para-site)...not your site. It is way easier to do...but then thru your link building process, always include your site...I did this and both the article, video and my own website are #1, #2, and #3 and have been there for over 6 months.

I know nothing lasts forever, so I do a tiny bit every day to keep my competition at bay.