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Inconsistency with Google results

by Giftys
11 replies
  • SEO
    • |
We keep up with several websites and keyword combinations. When checking on the more important keywords, we log them in an excel spreadsheet from month to month to see how they move. For example, we'll track, "gifts for doctors" and when we see our site in the number 1 position, we'll put "1" in the spreadsheet for that month.

Lately though, we're finding that they are appearing in different positions between different computers here in our office. So if myself and the girl across the office are searching for "gifts for doctors", she'll have it come up in the number 3 position instead of number 1.

Is this a result of Google's recent algorithm changes? Are you guys experiencing this inconsistency as well? What do you make of it?
#google #inconsistency #results
  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Giftys View Post

    Is this a result of Google's recent algorithm changes?
    No, it's been like that for ages, Giftys. It's to do with "relevance". Google learns about people's preferences from their searches and shows them preferentially the things they may be more interested in, on that basis. People don't see exactly the same search results as each other. If you download a new, previously unused browser now and/or delete cookies and offline content, and do the search again, you'll also see something slightly different. Just different browsers can give you slightly different Google search results.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brian Lett
    Alexa is right. Therefore, generally if you want to know the true results, you should try searching in a program such as:

    rankingcheck (dot) com; OR

    seoserp (dot) com
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    • Profile picture of the author Giftys
      Originally Posted by Brian Lett View Post

      Alexa is right. Therefore, generally if you want to know the true results, you should try searching in a program such as:

      rankingcheck (dot) com; OR

      seoserp (dot) com
      Thanks Brian, I'll check them out.
      Signature

      WWJD

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  • Profile picture of the author Giftys
    Thanks Alexa. I guess we weren't paying close enough attention. It seems in the old days they were more consistent.
    Signature

    WWJD

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  • Profile picture of the author acedring
    alexa is right, google learns what you are searching for which is why your site may be higher up on google than on somebody elses computer. When checking your rank i recommend deleting cookies, or for more accurate results trying using google webmasters on your site they will tell you what postion you rank for each query.
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  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    Both are right.

    This is the result of personalized search, which was fully integrated with the Caffeine update in January of 2010.

    Personalized search actually preceded Caffeine, but only for people who opted-in to use it.

    Personalized search is the reason I got out of the SEO industry.

    If my SEO customers could not see what I was seeing, how would my customers be able to trust the results I was showing them, if they could not duplicate it?
    Signature
    Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
    Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Eew, "caffeine": that's right, I'd forgotten that name. They never really allowed for the "decaf" version, did they?
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    • Profile picture of the author Giftys
      Originally Posted by tpw View Post

      Both are right.

      This is the result of personalized search, which was fully integrated with the Caffeine update in January of 2010.

      Personalized search actually preceded Caffeine, but only for people who opted-in to use it.

      Personalized search is the reason I got out of the SEO industry.

      If my SEO customers could not see what I was seeing, how would my customers be able to trust the results I was showing them, if they could not duplicate it?
      Interesting. Yea, I was just thinking about that as I learned it. Anyone who is helping a company with SEO would have that challenge.
      Signature

      WWJD

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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Clay
    In addition to deleting the cache, cookies and Flash cookies, you may want to do a reverse geo-ip lookup and see the results. If the geo-ip distances are far apart, that can influence the search results.
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    Click Here Now For All Of Your Internet Marketing Needs!
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  • Profile picture of the author Giftys
    We are seeing the relation to PR though. This personalized search will show one of our sites closer together (from one side of the office to the other) when the PR is higher. I was just looking at one of our newer, PR zero sites. My results are showing #1 and hers is showing page 6.
    Signature

    WWJD

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    • Profile picture of the author dburk
      Originally Posted by Giftys View Post

      We are seeing the relation to PR though. This personalized search will show one of our sites closer together (from one side of the office to the other) when the PR is higher. I was just looking at one of our newer, PR zero sites. My results are showing #1 and hers is showing page 6.
      Hi Giftys,

      If you want to see where you rank, with personalized search turned off, simply add the following URL parameter to the URL in your address bar after you search and press enter:

      &pws=0

      Example:
      http ://www. google.com/#q=gifts+for+musicians&pws=0

      Adding this parameter turns off the personalized search for your query. If it's a keyword you check regularly then you can add it to your favorite bookmarks in your browser for one-click easy access. No need to delete cookies or change your browser's search preferences.
      Signature

      * Get Results - Outsource Your PPC Management |
      *       Don Burk Advertising & Marketing - www.donburk.com

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