Why does my Google ranking keep changing?
Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2024 5:35 am
You are searching for a target keyword that you are trying to rank really well for and you see that you have dropped a spot since yesterday. This seems very frustrating as you are investing a fortune in SEO. Also, you can ask a friend to search for your keywords and you will end up seeing different results exclusively. This is a good question and also a common problem. In this digital age, Google ranking matters more than people think. The first result on a Google search engine gets approx. 25-30% higher click-through rate. So, not being number one means that you are losing thousands of website visitors per month if your main keyword is searched 5,000 times per month. In this content journey, we have compiled a list of reasons why you might see different results to help answer why you might see a temporary or long-term drop when searching for your keyword.
google ranking factor
Your location
This will likely affect the results you see on Google if you and your friend are in different places during the search, or if you're now in a different town or city. Google will try to show its users the most appropriate result for the person searching, chinese phone number and various devices will allow Google to use the phone or laptop's GPS or location settings to do so.
Your search frequency
You may end up seeing the same results more often if you search for the same thing more often than someone else. Let's say you search for your business from time to time to show it to a client. They may see your website as the top result versus someone who doesn't visit it as often, or has never visited it while you frequent their website.
Similar websites
Similarly, you can check out your competitors from time to time. The above standard will apply to their sites as well, and as a result, you may end up getting their website because Google recognizes that you prefer sites like theirs. If they have reviewed a competitor, they may see the competitor's website instead of yours, and the same may happen to your friend. Or they may be more likely to see your website ranked higher than you if you check out the competition and they only look at yours.
Increased competition
You may have actually lost a spot or two for a keyword. Your top SEO agency is probably working as hard as their budget allows, but there’s the outside chance that your competitor is paying even more to optimize their SEO on an ongoing basis. They may even be using inbound marketing tactics, which could rank them even higher than traditional SEO.
Change algorithms
Google uses complicated computer program algorithms to specify when and how high a website should rank. As search engine optimization agencies and specialists learn the system, some find loopholes and Google modernizes its algorithm to close the loopholes. Google works extremely challengingly to ensure that only the most appropriate results are provided to people who use Google. Gaming the system breaks this, so the program is occasionally updated. Additionally, your search engine optimization tactics should consist of staying on top of these and modifying your website content to remain relevant.
I'm paying money to Google, so I should definitely rank higher?
We're not talking about your organic search ranking anymore if you're paying money to Google. People who pay Google will have a little green box with an ad next to their result. This indicates that they're using Google AdWords and are paying Google to have their website appear as high as possible.
google-ads-ranking-process
How is Google's organic ranking different from Google AdWords'?
Your website’s organic placement on Google is entirely dependent on your search engine optimization. All the traffic you get is free, this is because your website is the most relevant result in the eyes of Google. Although with AdWords your website is still relevant, you have given it a financial boost to get to the top as high as possible. You will pay Google every time a person clicks on your ad. The exact amount depends on your bid amount and the level of competition for that keyword. Bidding the most money always means you will get the highest advertising spot.
google ranking factor
Your location
This will likely affect the results you see on Google if you and your friend are in different places during the search, or if you're now in a different town or city. Google will try to show its users the most appropriate result for the person searching, chinese phone number and various devices will allow Google to use the phone or laptop's GPS or location settings to do so.
Your search frequency
You may end up seeing the same results more often if you search for the same thing more often than someone else. Let's say you search for your business from time to time to show it to a client. They may see your website as the top result versus someone who doesn't visit it as often, or has never visited it while you frequent their website.
Similar websites
Similarly, you can check out your competitors from time to time. The above standard will apply to their sites as well, and as a result, you may end up getting their website because Google recognizes that you prefer sites like theirs. If they have reviewed a competitor, they may see the competitor's website instead of yours, and the same may happen to your friend. Or they may be more likely to see your website ranked higher than you if you check out the competition and they only look at yours.
Increased competition
You may have actually lost a spot or two for a keyword. Your top SEO agency is probably working as hard as their budget allows, but there’s the outside chance that your competitor is paying even more to optimize their SEO on an ongoing basis. They may even be using inbound marketing tactics, which could rank them even higher than traditional SEO.
Change algorithms
Google uses complicated computer program algorithms to specify when and how high a website should rank. As search engine optimization agencies and specialists learn the system, some find loopholes and Google modernizes its algorithm to close the loopholes. Google works extremely challengingly to ensure that only the most appropriate results are provided to people who use Google. Gaming the system breaks this, so the program is occasionally updated. Additionally, your search engine optimization tactics should consist of staying on top of these and modifying your website content to remain relevant.
I'm paying money to Google, so I should definitely rank higher?
We're not talking about your organic search ranking anymore if you're paying money to Google. People who pay Google will have a little green box with an ad next to their result. This indicates that they're using Google AdWords and are paying Google to have their website appear as high as possible.
google-ads-ranking-process
How is Google's organic ranking different from Google AdWords'?
Your website’s organic placement on Google is entirely dependent on your search engine optimization. All the traffic you get is free, this is because your website is the most relevant result in the eyes of Google. Although with AdWords your website is still relevant, you have given it a financial boost to get to the top as high as possible. You will pay Google every time a person clicks on your ad. The exact amount depends on your bid amount and the level of competition for that keyword. Bidding the most money always means you will get the highest advertising spot.