11 replies to this topic

[ladybird]

I've just noticed that the search term [removed your keyword phrase for your own good!] on Yahoo that had previously and very consistently listed us at number 3 has now dropped to number 20.

Also, the term [removed] that we were consistently number 2 for is now not even in the top 60.

Have you any idea why Yahoo have demoted us so severely?

Edited by Jill, 25 March 2006 - 11:53 AM.

[BrokersDirect]

What is your web site URL so I can take a look and see if there is anything you have done to be penalized? Search Engines penalize sites that use unethical ways to manipulate them (such as keyword stuffing etc). We have a few sites listed on Yahoo but I have not seen any drastic changes with our ranking positions.

[Cosita]

A #3 ranked site, now ranking at #20 - that doesn't sound like the site is being penalized. Can someone offer a definition of when a site is being penalized and when a site is just fluctuating?

[BrokersDirect]

Have you changed your web site recently? Maybe redesigned it or added/deleted new content? It sounds strange as it is quite a drastic change in position. And as I said, our web sites haven't been affected.

[Jill]

Have you any idea why Yahoo have demoted us so severely?

They didn't. It's not about YOU. It's simply an algo change that made rankings change. Rankings go up, rankings go down. That's what they do, and that's why you should never be married to any particular phrases but have hundreds of them under your belt so that when the algo changes and drops some of your phrases, others will go up.

If you want consistent rankings for any particular keyword phrase, you'll want to buy them via PPC ads.

[ladybird]

Are you aware of any algorithm changes that Yahoo has made recently that might account for this???

[ewc21]

Are you aware of any algorithm changes that Yahoo has made recently that might account for this???

Not that I know of. At least while looking at Yahoo! Search blog.

[ladybird]

So given I haven't added new content to existing pages and haven't been engaging in any spaming activities, why have my rankings dropped so far?

FYI the site in question is the second link in my signature.

[CTABUK]

I think Jill has answered this question. But you could try adding new content with a random unique search term and see if it gets picked up.

[Jill]

So given I haven't added new content to existing pages and haven't been engaging in any spaming activities, why have my rankings dropped so far?

Because rankings go up, and rankings go down.

It's like asking why the kid got sick on the rollercoaster the other day...it's what happens on rollercoasters.

[ACpeter]

Also... you're assuming that your site is operating in a vacuum. Have you considered that the other sites have made changes that out perform yours? Not trying to be nasty, but if you're looking for the rankings, what makes you think others in the industry are not?

[spellham]

Our main site that ranked consistently at #1 to #5 on the first page of Yahoo for our primary search phrase has also experienced a major drop on Yahoo - as in I can't find it in the top 100 - but we recently completed a redesign on the site.

This had me looking for a Yahoo algo update as well - but as already stated I couldn't find any information on the Yahoo blog about an update either or the normal buzz on the forums much like this one to support that theory. Again, as already stated - I've also seen some new sites move onto the first page that I haven't seen before, so it could be that our niche is currently just very active.

The changes were mostly new navigation sidebar(s), and optimization for higher screen res, but no additions or removal of a large amount of content. As there has been no evidence of an update at Yahoo, I'm chalking this up to the site redesign - and I'm being patient. If any of you have superiors or clients that you report to, you know it is difficult to communicate the need to be patient when changes such as this occur - but that is what I've done and what I would recommend as well.