[RedEvo]

I wasn't talking about that site in particular. I'm talking more in general. I've seen sites whose domain name is say - bluewidgets.com - but the content is not about blue widgets. It may not be spam but if it's ranking for blue widgets Google would possibly look at it as such.

If the search engines simply serve up a site whose domain name matches the search phrase it's a poor state of affairs. IMHO.

d

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Louise

But surely the site in question can't be called a SPAM site (not that I'd know what one was). Just a one-page landing site set up by someone who's had the foresight to buy a good keyword domain that immediately bounces vistors on to the insurance site to earn their commission (no different to the tactics of hundreds, probably thousands of other affiliate marketers out there).

Clearly there's nothing clever or informative about the site, but there's nothing sinister/SPAM about it either. Frankly, if I'd searched for cheap boat insurance, then it would be the link I'd be most likely to click, and why not? I can't see why I'd want to waste time reading loads of SEOd-up articles/content over multiple pages about cheap boat insurance - I'd just want a quote, so it does it's job quickly and efficiently, using a great domain.

I can understand why it would cause annoyance to get such a high position without any apparent effort at all - other than buying the name - but why would that make it SPAM? (genuine question, by the way, as I don't understand the workings of google at all and can't see what it's doing wrong).

Agreed it does what it says on the label.and yes it does get up us hard working honest snake oil salesmen who slave over a hot pentium all day only to see some upstart buy a decent domain stick a few words up and beat us.

I think it says a lot about googles so called quality rants as much as anything.

They are loosing the plot big time IMHO.

Alvin

[Peter W]

I've seen stories of very new sites ranking well on Google initially, and then disappearing for several months. As if Google only wants sites that are either topical (very new), or authoritative (much older), and not much in between.

See if they are still there in a few weeks.

[RedEvo]

Apparently sites often get a quick ranking that lasts for a few weeks then they slip into their rightful place in the SERP's. It's the news effect.

d

[Arleigh]

I agree with Cathy. The title of rank 3 is well-optimized. It has used targeted keyphrases.

Originally Posted by Cathy

I'd suggest that one possibility is the difference between your and their title tags.

Theirs
"
Cheap Boat Insurance | Boat Insurance | Boat Insurance Company"

Yours
"
CHEAP BOAT INSURANCE YACHT INSURANCE MARINE RIB SPEEDBOAT MOTOR BOATS INSURERS BROKERS INSTANT QUOTES ONLINE SEA DOO JETSKI SALES ATV QUAD CAN AM BRP PART DEALER SEADOO SERVICE SKIS ACCESSORIES BOAT CLOTHING JETS MARIVENT LONDON KENT SUSSEX SURREY ESSEX BOMBARDIER BOATS WHITSTABLE HERNE BAY"

I would say you've diluted your placement for 'cheap boat insurance' with the addition of all the other words.

I'd suggest that Google is thinking something like 'this person wants cheap boat insurance. All these pages mention it, but this one (ie yours), comapred to some of the others covers a lot more ground and so if this person had typed in 'cheap boat insurance kent' they might be more interested in this (your) site but as they haven't it might be too specific for this searcher.

If domain name was the deciding factor then 'cheapboatinsurance.co.uk' would rank higher than 'silversurfers.net' and they don't.

[Terry Kyle]

Hi A1 Crew,

If you have chosen a poor domain name and are basically stuck with it, set up several subdomains from your main domain name that DO contain key search terms e.g.

if you have johnsmith dot com as your domain name and you are selling funeral services, tell your webhost [it's automated on big services like 1and1] to create subdomains like

funeralservices dot johnsmith dot com

funeralsinwembley dot johnsmith dot com

You then need to start building backlinks to your new subdomain pages and promote the hell out of them.

This should have a positive effect [eventually] on your rankings despite the poor selection of a domain name originally.

Have a great day.


Best regards
Terry Kyle
Author/Editor
"400 Latest & Greatest Small Business Ideas From Around The World"

[sally]

You also have to think of other ways that name can be seen. I rank VERY well for couples seeking couples

[I, Brian]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Another example of how much importance google is giving to domain names

tell me any other reason why N03 is there.?


http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...G=Search&meta=

Alvin

Google have been doing this a good 12-18 months.

If it works, don't complain about it - just use it. A very valuable lesson I've learned.

Internet marketing is a creative process - you have to get creative.

2c.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by I, Brian

Google have been doing this a good 12-18 months.

If it works, don't complain about it - just use it. A very valuable lesson I've learned.

Internet marketing is a creative process - you have to get creative.

2c.

I agree but one is a bit reluctant to ditch 40 year old malt for Australian outback muck.

Alvin

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Arleigh

I agree with Cathy. The title of rank 3 is well-optimized. It has used targeted keyphrases.

Well I was hoping to sell a bit more than jetski insurance.

One has standards to maintain Don't ya know.

Alvin