Google swings and erratic behavior influences lead generation

We noticed changes in search positions on Google for different search terms.
Changes without a pattern: just jumping up and down in ranking.
Example: From #5 to #39 and back again to #7 for the same keywords used.

If Google would be using a calculated method, one would expect slow changes over time, having only small or incremental steps in ranking up or down. However such erratic behavior resembles more a human interaction by different people each with a bias.

As we get a large part of our traffic from Internet searches the number of visitors does change, as also the keywords they seem to be using. Due to these swings, sometimes popular keywords don’t bring up high enough our website.
Thus changes in visitors and type of visitors, brings changes to our lead generation.

Searching for answers

So we went looking for help on the Internet as we didn’t understand and found these two blog posts:
- Google Drinks a Fighting Problem Tuesday, May 27, 2008 on The WebMarketCentral Blog – by Tom Pick.
- Google Previous Query Reason For Crazy Google Rankings? 25 April 2008 on SiteProNews by Jaan Kanellis.

The WebMarketCentral Blog has examples and comparisons using the same search terms on Google, Yahoo and MSN. These show how the same searches are relatively consistent in Yahoo and MSN, whereas the Google searches swing heavily.

Jaan Kanellis mentions: “Seems like this algorithm tweak was to improve the PPC ad relevancy initially and now is being introduced into the organic results.”

Is Google getting out of control?

Let’s hope not.
Or are the results now somehow controlled by humans: who are biased or not operating always in the same way?

Celebrity

If Google were a human being and thus a worldwide celebrity, then paparazzi would have reasons to take pictures and the gossip magazines would have stories to write – as on Britney Spears or Amy Winehouse.

Business

In business if your products or results are not stable or unpredictable you will be less or no longer trusted.
This might just happen with Google.