Google Search Ranking- Different Results!

[Lindy Asimus]

Here is something to know. I learned of this only recently, so this tidbit of information that came to me today was timely and seemed a good thing to share.


***Did you know this shocking fact about Google?***

Incredibly, sites can actually have different positions in
Google depending on who is searching for them!

"Several things can account for differences in search engine
position results," says my SEO guru Ed Taylor. "One factor is
the Google server (data center) that is accessed. Google has
many data centers around the world and they often have slightly
different rankings."

Another factor affecting the results you see in the Search
Engine Results Page (SERP) is the location of your PC. According
to Ed, this is especially evident on searches that Google deems
of a local nature (i.e. a dentist). In the case of local
searches, very often the Google Map setting will appear with a
group of listings specific to the local area.

Ranking differences can also result from the searcher's computer
settings. Computers that are logged into a Google account often
display different ranking results that than those that are not.
These results are influenced by the Web sites the searcher has
visited in the past.

Recommendation: The best way to view core Google indexes -- the
rankings uninfluenced by your browsing history and location --
is to log out of your Google account, clear out your browser's
cookies and cache, and then perform a search on your keyword.

Source: Ed Taylor, www.edtaylor.com

[Dorinda Duclos-Favors by Dorinda]

Interesting to know. There was a time that if you were logged into your Google account, your page came up first on page one. They have since fixed that. However, I have been both logged in & out and it hasn't affected my keyword search. But I did notice that Lindy can find my site on a different page then I do. So I guess there is some merit to this. Just seems strange that a ranking can change so easily.

[Lindy Asimus]

Think about it in context to memorising search. You notice if you do a new search for something, a link that you've previously been to will be colored differently, to show you've clicked that before, even though you have started a new search. Something must be retained in the browser, perhaps that is a similar effect.

[The Diaper Baker]

Very interesting! That gives a little insight to what I've been experiencing when doing a Google search. Over the past week I've been bouncing back and forth from the middle of page one to the very bottom of page two....all within hours. At noon I'm on page one and then at 4pm I'm at the bottom of page two, yet at 8 pm I'm back on page one. It's been frustrating to try and understand.

Also, oddly enough, I would do a Google search for diaper cakes and find myself on page one, yet if I searched in Caps (DIAPER CAKES) I would find myself on page three! I couldn't believe it as I never thought Google was case sensitive.

I even had Dorinda check in lower case and uppper case and she too saw the difference in search results.

Lindy, thanks for sharing this information. It actually makes a lot more sense now.

[Lindy Asimus]

It is a moveable feast this stuff. We can never know... as things are fluid and change but these little bits of information that we share here can give us an edge. Might be worth trying in another browser too or using a particular browser just for double checking, so the cache can be cleared regularly. (Frankly it is a bit like Voodoo innit ;-) )