Need help with puzzling SERPs

[MerlinX]

I'm getting some results in Google that I don't understand. My site has targeted a three word key phrase, say "free blue widgets", for which it ranks in Google's top 5. It would seem to follow then that the site should also rank (though not as well) for the less specific phrase "blue widgets". Here's the problem: it doesn't rank at all (at least not in the top 200), while sites that aren't even optimized for the phrase do.

On a whim I did a couple allinanchor searches. The results were:

"free blue widgets" - my site's rank: 3
"blue widgets" - my site's rank: not listed

Since the shorter 2-word phrase is included in the 3-word phrase, shouldn't my site at least show up? What am I missing?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[morph07]

You should not get paranoid on it.. Its natural now..

Try to check your SERP in the other day..

[zeruel]

It usually happens once in a while.. Better focus on getting inbound links with that targeted keyword as your anchor text..

[stacy131]

Actually, long tail keywords are easier to rank for. More frequently searched = more competition.

[googlesuccess]

Long tail keywords are easier to rank the short keywords - that is why you are getting the results. It is normal. You will need many more backlinks for ranking high for short keywords.

[morph07]

how's the ranking now? I bet it came back...

[aira]

Originally Posted by MerlinX

I'm getting some results in Google that I don't understand. My site has targeted a three word key phrase, say "free blue widgets", for which it ranks in Google's top 5. It would seem to follow then that the site should also rank (though not as well) for the less specific phrase "blue widgets". Here's the problem: it doesn't rank at all (at least not in the top 200), while sites that aren't even optimized for the phrase do.

When you rank for your specific KW which is "free blue widgets", it doesn't necessarily mean that your shorter term which is "blue widgets" follows. THey are entirely different KWs so it'll depend on your SEO application.

As what googlesuccess mentioned, it is easier to rank using longtail KWs (and this is your case). While ranking for a general term requires more SEO effort.

[MerlinX]

Thanks guys,

I appreciate all the replies.

I'm still puzzled though. The SERPS have been like this for several months. And while I certainly understand the concept that long tail searches are easier to rank well for than 2-word searches, I think something else must be going on here.

As I mentioned, my site is not even showing up in the top 200 for the two word phrase in question (for all I know, my site isn't even in the top 1,000). Meanwhile, the sites that are showing up in the top 200 have less (and far less quality) text links pointing to them. Furthermore, most of these text links don't even contain the 2-word phrase.

Some questions:

Am I wrong in thinking that if there are text links pointing to my site that say "free blue widgets", that Google will also count these towards "blue widgets", since the 2-word phase is included in the 3-word phrase? (I have both kinds of back links, but far more for "free blue widgets").

Could it be a problem with my on-site optimization factors. For example, currently my title tags say "Free Blue Widgets". Should I change them to say "Free Blue Widgets and Blue Widgets"?

[morph07]

Originally Posted by MerlinX

Am I wrong in thinking that if there are text links pointing to my site that say "free blue widgets", that Google will also count these towards "blue widgets", since the 2-word phase is included in the 3-word phrase? (I have both kinds of back links, but far more for "free blue widgets").

Here's my insights about it:

In an anchor text "free blue widgets", you will get different points on your keywords.
"free blue widgets"- High points
"blue widgets"- low points
"free widgets"- low points
"blue"- almost no points
"free"- almost no points

Well im not an expert regarding this topic nor read an article about this one so i have no proof for this one, this is only my assumption on things.


Morph

[Himalayan]

This is because on two words the competition is very high in search engine results, if you want ranking on that particular keyphrase then anchor it while submission.

[MerlinX]

Today my site is suddenly now ranked 100 for the 2-word keyphrase. For months it wasn't showing up at all, even though it was always in the top three for the 3-word phrase. At least now I know Google isn't broken.

Thanks for the replys.

[morph07]

Originally Posted by MerlinX

At least now I know Google isn't broken.

Ahahaha you made me laugh, really
Anyway ranking in top 100 is not bad at all. Good luck.

[shoaeeb]

Originally Posted by googlesuccess

Long tail keywords are easier to rank the short keywords - that is why you are getting the results. It is normal. You will need many more backlinks for ranking high for short keywords.

I agree with u.