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May 21, 2008

Google Search Index Update: May '08 Update

It looks that Google might be conducting some sort of major update. Yes, I know - Google is constantly updating, constantly adding content and "improving" the algorithm. But some changes make a bigger impression in the forums then others.

I have noticed recent discussion at WebmasterWorld and DigitalPoint Forums with people either complaining or praising a major shift in their rankings over the past 24 hours.

First post came in via WebmasterWorld at around 4:30am (EST), saying "There seems to be a roll back now... seeing the same old results for a few highly competitive 2 word keywords." Several members support his findings, even senior member, nuevojefe, added:

Very interesting changes I'm seeing. Major swings in a high traffic niche, but not much different in other niches I watch.

Seems new sites of a certain criteria are being allowed to jet up more though. Surprised to see new sites able to be propped up by network linking.

The DigitalPoint Forums thread has members who are commenting about a loss in traffic. Some members have posted charts showing a major drop in traffic, possibly due to a Google update.

So I think we have sort of major Google update going on.

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld and DigitalPoint Forums.



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posted rustybrick in Google PageRank/SERP Updates at May 21, 2008 8:28 AM Comments (4)

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Comments

Why is that most the websites that I deal with, that well optimized have stable links and solid architecture, never see these ranking mood swings that everyone else is always complaining about?

 

Posted by Jaan Kanellis at May 21, 2008 22:17

Jaan:

Your comment is both concise and dead-on.

Regards.

 

Posted by Christopher Regan at May 22, 2008 14:38

That is the SEO community for you.

 

Posted by Barry Schwartz at May 22, 2008 14:40

My client's sites don't fluctuate much for their targeted keywords either. However I have noticed that for words that are considered the "Holy Grail" (not necessarily attainable without black hat or manipulative techniques which I refuse to indulge in) they fluctuate quite a bit even though the site itself hasn't changed.

I keep almost daily records for my own site for a two word phrase that, while my site is optimized for this phrase, I don't necessarily consider high ranking a possibility because it's the most competitive phrase in my industry. I have fluctuated between #59 and #300 for this phrase for months (and today -- the weekend-- down to #400) and back and forth and back and forth like a yoyo when I haven't even changed my site in over 6 weeks due to an illness in the famil. (other phrases containing one or the other of these words are still ranking in the top 10).

Therefore I just assume that Google is experimenting with it's algorithim. And as stated above these wild fluctuations usually only occur on the weekends when I assume Google uses for testing.

AND when trying a series of 3 different words/phrases I will get 2 or 3 different databases. So there are lots of factors involved in these searches.

PS. I do this checking all by hand so as to not incur Google's wrath.

 

Posted by Lorel at May 25, 2008 11:22

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