Local Search Engine Optimization: Why Google Sinks Your Site

Writing by nick on Monday, March 3, 2008 Comments (1)

When it comes to local search engine optimization, things can get confusing. You think you´ve done a great job and your business website is moving up and up in the Google ranks . . . when suddenly, your website is gone. Not only wiped off the first page, but pretty much impossible to find! This is a fairly common scenario, but it still worries many beginners in local search engine optimization. There are a few reasons why Google might sink your site.

Identical anchor text. If you are trying to rank for “local SEO” and you insist that everyone link to you using those two words, Google gets suspicious and may penalize you for gaming the system. Instead, try to use similar phrases. For example, “Local search engine optimization” “SEO” “Local SEO” “Local SEO techniques”, etc.

Poor reciprocal links. When you exchange links with other websites, make sure they are related to your content. Google looks unfavorably on those who link to a chocolate basket site from an automotive repair blog.

Sandbox. Google has a notorious sandbox where they put websites that are fairly new, especially if they rose through the ranks quickly. There are other reasons to end up in the sandbox, but chances are you will be out at some point in the near future. Just remember that this is fairly normal, just about everyone goes through it.

It´s completely normal to see your site moving up and and down in the ranks of Google, this doesn´t necessarily have much to do with your local search engine optimization. Rest assured that it happens to the best of sites and just keep plugging away. Eventually, you will find yourself where you want to be, if your techniques are clean and good.

Comments (1)                      Category: Local Search Engine Optimization                      

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1 Comment

Comment by Local Hound

Made Monday, 3 of March , 2008 at 11:12 pm

Ya Nick, good heads up…the sand-box is tough. At first, you’re in… and than nowhere to be found. I bet this is the time when most of the shady seo services on the internet get sold.
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