I call this thread, the funny thread of the week. A WebmasterWorld thread named Google Penalizes for being #1 is both funny but at the same time you can learn a lot from it. First let me quote the initial post which has been picked apart by the members.
Google Penalizes for being #1! Yes, it's true! Once you are in the #1 Position google WILL NOT let you get any higher, but WILL allow you fall - often drastically! I have seen this time and time again.
Lesson #1: Risks :: If you have a number one ranking for a very visible query, then you better have received that ranking 100% naturally or you will lose it. We all know Google, Yahoo!, etc. will manually make hand adjustments to very popular search queries. It just makes practical sense for them to do this. So if you do have a number one ranking and you have an inkling that you should not (even the slightest), do not expect it to last.
Lesson #2: Ranking Higher :: One can make out from the quote above that this member is upset that he/she can not get his/her ranking higher then the number one organic result. Of course, the member does not mean that, but let's assume he/she did. There are several ways to get a listing above the #1 organic result in Google. You can go the AdWords route and hope that Google inserts sponsored results above the organic results (they do very often). You can also try to get into Google News, Google Images, Google Definitions, Google etc... These are all vertical searches that are often placed above the natural listings and can you give nice visibility. Try a search for google on Google and see the news items at the top.
Lesson #3: All Fun :: Have fun with the thread, enjoy it and don't get upset. Honestly, I have number one rankings, I do not deserve in some obscure engines. I do not expect them to last. I am having fun with it now and won't go to a forum to express my deep inner feelings after they are lost.
