Special offer
Home > Blogs > Maureen McCabe > Columbus Ohio real estate
bookmark_border

ActiveRain showing up in Google - Amazing Information!!!

By
Real Estate Agent with HER Realtors

Gita Bantwal a Bucks County. Pennsylvannia real estate agent wrote a post titled:

"Consumers do not search us by looking up the terms ' featured posts' or 'AR points'. Here is some amazing information I just discovered."

Gita's post is Members Only so other than the title I can not tell you what she said, or I'd have to kill you. If you are a member of ActiveRain you can read what Gita discovered. 

Gita Bantal did an experiment.  I carried on that experiment.

Alabama Real Estate Agents + Alabama Real Estate News

I believe I  can tell you what I commented on Gita's post: here's the link if you are a member -  Searching for "ActiveRain agents Alabama" the gist:

  1. No one cares about ActiveRain except ActiveRain members. Well, the ActiveRain haters care but that's another post altogether.  The words ActiveRain has never been branded for consumers.  No one would search for ActiveRain Agent Alabama except an ActiveRain member....
  2. What you see and what I see Googling for a term may be different.  What a consumer sees is different. 
  3. If you are signed into Google it is different search than if you are not signed in to Google.

I can NOT tell you what Gita saw on Google in her search.  She says in her post if you are a member.  It is not the same thing I see. 

Googling for activerain agent Alabama what I see signed in:

  1. activerain.com/states/AL - Alabama state page on ActiveRain
  2. activerain.com/nicktpappas  - Nick Pappas
  3. activerain.com/blogs/chcadenhead - Charita Cadenhead
  4. activerain.com/chcadenhead
  5. activerain.com/  The whole network!**
  6. activerain.com/gulfshoreslife  Cal Carter
  7. activerain.com/.../jonathan-goode-perry-county-alabama-real-estate-a..  Jonathan Goode
  8. activerain.com/kaigere - Kimberly Grant
  9. activerain.com/jonathangoode
  10. activerain.com/sbwolfe  Stephen Wolfe

In fact the first time I searched "activerain agent Alabama" Google gave me slightly different results. It says that result in the comment.  Nick was not so high in the rank.  Cal was #2, it looks as if it is all about Charita in Birmingham if I am signed into Google.  It shows me her face...  we are buds on Google+

Googling for activerain agent Alabama what I see NOT signed into Google:

  1. activerain.com/states/AL  (Ann is blurb but the page is the Alabama state page on ActiveRain) 
  2. activerain.com/gulfshoreslife  Cal Carter
  3. activerain.com/nicktpappas  Nick
  4. activerain.com/.../jonathan-goode-perry-county-alabama-real-estat  Jonathan Goode
  5. activerain.com/kaigere Kimberly Grant
  6. activerain.com/jonathangoode  Jonathan again...
  7. activerain.com/sbwolfe Stephe Wolfe
  8. activerain.com/isellhuntsville Elizabeth Cooper - Golden
  9. activerain.com/walterjoneshomes
  10. pipl.com/directory/phone/.../0d863f2c847e78c3c74b09dcd69bf6d2/

 What I see using another search that uses Google*:

1: http://activerain.com/states/AL  ActiveRain state page for Alabama
2: http://activerain.com/gulfshoreslife Cal
3: http://activerain.com/nicktpappas  Nick
4: http://activerain.com/blogsview/2423793/jonathan-goode-perry-county-alabama-real-estate-agent
5: http://activerain.com/kaigere  Kimberly  Grant
6: http://activerain.com/jonathangoode Jonathan Goode sames as #4
7: http://activerain.com/sbwolfe  Stephen Wolfe
8: http://activerain.com/isellhuntsville  Elizabeth Cooper-Golden
9: http://activerain.com/walterjoneshomes  Walter Jones
10: http://activerain.com/swka29  Kim Wilbourn

What I see Googling for real estate agent Alabama not signed into Google? 

I do not see hide nor hair of ActiveRain.... or ActiveRain agents... now there could be AR agents websites or Outside blogs in fact I did see. I did see Cal Carter's website, #10 is 

Signed in to my Google account and searching for real estate agent Alabama?  #10 is activerain.com/blogs/chcadenhead

*Using http://www.sitemapdoc.com/serp-rank.aspx  at a WordCamp I learned to NOT search directly on Google when I am trying an experiment like this...  there are a number of serp rank tools.

What do you see if you Google for activerain agents Alabama?  Different if you are signed in?  On a different computer?  Using a serp rank tool?  What do you see if you Google for activerain agents in your state?

Posted by

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


This post provided by Maureen McCabe HER Realtors*

Contact Maureen McCabe of HER Realtors* - 614.388.8249

HER Realtors  Maureen McCabe

Search Columbus mls

email: MaureenatMaureenMcCabe.com  at = @

*Real Living HER

Information is deemed to be accurate but should be verified to your satisfaction.  Information provided herein is supplied by several sources and is subject to change without notice.  Opinions expressed are solely those of Maureen McCabe.

 


 

Comments (47)
Subscribe to CommentsComment

Submit
Show All Comments
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

VA ActiveRain mentions Lenn but the link is not Lenn

Michael #1 was Lenn? 

Where was ActiveRain's Virginia page?  The snippet above  is what I see #1 when I NOT signed in search for ActiveRain agents Virginia.  Above is what I see in #1 on page 1. And to consumers that might be Lenn Harley but the link is to AR's page about Virginia.   A second click would take them to Lenn.  

I have not seen a page yet where the url was not activerain.com/states/ <--- the state for a search not signed in....

I see a similar when I search ActiveRain agents Ohio- it is the link to the ActiveRain Ohio page... it talks about me.

On Alabama I saw Ann Allen, later it switched to someone else (?)

On NJ I see Sheldon Neal but the link is to ActiveRain's NJ  page.

I looked at IL (NOT signed in)  and the first link is ActiveRain 's Illinois page but it said a guy in Naperville. 

  1. activerain.com/states/VA
  2. activerain.com/seanschroeder
  3. activerain.com/teresells4u
  4. activerain.com/mikecooper
  5. activerain.com/gunnycc
  6. activerain.com/rakeeney
  7. activerain.com/nrivera2907
  8. activerain.com/edwinrucker   
  9. activerain.com/blogs/virginiahepp
  10. roanokeshortsalesuperstars.com/channels/activerain

#9 is the funniest to me searching for ActiveRain agents Virginia

Nov 16, 2011 09:11 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Thanks Fernando  Freaky.... Cal Carter did something right as far as Google is concerned when it came to the search term ActiveRain, he has not posted here since 2008? 

Again I don't think ActiveRain has branded ActiveRain to the general public.  

Nov 16, 2011 09:18 AM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

Blogging is the name of the game when it comes to SEO. Write and they will call

Nov 16, 2011 09:18 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

This is going to be a long one.... 

Margaret wrote: at the top of Google Page 1 for "ActiveRain agents Illinois" was Brad Andersohn! (on my computer not signed in.)

Not signed in... that is odd.

What I see:

  1. activerain.com/states/IL
  2. activerain.com/jimstarwalt
  3. activerain.com/kentracy
  4. activerain.com/.../chicago-short-sale-real-estate-agent-illinois-short-sa...
  5. activerain.com/lanitaofremax
  6. activerain.com/alanmay
  7. activerain.com/julieannedeerparkil
  8. activerain.com/.../oak-park-illinois-real-estate-agent-oak-park-homes...
  9. www.yoursredesigned.com/membershipslinks.html
  10. msritraining.com/AboutIndustryLinks.html


The last two are home staging, GraceAnn Simoni front page of each site has info on ActiveRain for staging school. 

Dick Google has been working on that very desirable search feature for a long, long time.  I wish there was a wayback machine for search, so we could see what search was like 8 years ago.  Maybe even just 5 years ago. 

Gita I don't think there is any controversy. 

Kathy if you searched for ActiveRain agents Ontario would it say "United States" on a search?

Bryan - I found in looking at Illinois some stagers for ActiveRain agents Illinois search.   On Ohio I am not sure I show up for ActiveRain agents Ohio when I am signed out.  I don't care if I do.  I care about my area so contribute local content. 

I should look at CA

Morgan I have done this test before with Bill Burchard in California and as I remember it did NOT show a local filter bubble as I thought it would.  He posted the Eli Pariser TED talk I think.  Why SEO May Not Be Working For You

Randy I think the brand ActiveRain for most consumers (particularly buyers)  is a big "who cares" 

Synergy  there's that word again (Martin) yes cookies and history will help return a good search, that's been going on for a long time.

Tamara I agree.  The general public does not care about features, points or ActiveRain, they are looking strictly for WIIFM.

Thanks Anthony.

Lisa and Bob not signed in my searches for ActiveRain agent New Jersey

  1. activerain.com/states/NJ (NJ page but the blurb is about Sheldon Neal)
  2. activerain.com/.../middletown-new-jersey-real-estate-agents-how-to-s... (?)
  3. activerain.com/shelbrit (Sheldon Neal) 
  4. activerain.com/states/NJ/counties/Essex%20County (Gina Chirico)
  5. activerain.com/states/NJ/cities/Montclair (?)
  6. activerain.com/states/NJ/cities/Westfield (Tara Stone)
  7. activerain.com/.../multifamily-colonial-homes-for-sale.. (Irene Kennedy)
  8. activerain.com/states/NJ/counties/Bergen%20County  (Sheldon Neal)
  9. salemcountyrealestateblog.com/post/2598361/i-am-active-rain-24-7  (Chris Hooks)*
  10. www.linkedin.com/in/leandermcclain



#9 NJ *first one of these I saw http://salemcountyrealestateblog.com/post/2598361/i-am-active-rain-24-7  I had heard.

#10 NJ Linkedin profile  interesting.


Katerina, Sorry I don't believe I was thinking  about sellers.  I am experimenting more with a buyer type consumer than a seller, or perhaps the general public, just following Gita's post. 

Mike I'd be surprised if anyone could ever figure out Google, they'd just change it. 

Lynda wrote "Therefore, the only way to get a proper Google search is to go to your library, where they wipe out their memory banks every night."  that would give you a virgin Google search, which is not necessarily a good Google search.  I am not sure if you are saying to erase cookies and history on your computer or on the general publics....  but I don't have access to their computers to wipe off history, cookies, filters their search history has created. 

Ava  wrote "but I do know they find me on active rain and sometimes even send me messages." I'd guess because of the content.  Content is king...   

I told you it was long.  Hope I did not miss anyone.

Nov 16, 2011 09:55 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Ooops Charita...  Odd that Cal has not posted since 2008 but shows up on ActiveRain for the state of Alabama so prominantly.  

Signed in you are the only one who's face (avatar) I see on Google...    Well you and Brad Andersohn on activerain.com/   the whole Network and Brad +1 it. 

Nov 16, 2011 10:01 AM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I also checked my local information. I cleared my history so the info wouldn't be tainted by previous searches and I was not signed on to Google. Pretty interesting stuff.

Nov 16, 2011 10:33 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Tammie Tennessee is real interesting! 

Googling  ActiveRain agents Tennessee NOT signed in  I see:

  1. activerain.com/states/TN  - the state page*
  2. activerain.com/pbridges1 - Pam Bridges
  3. activerain.com/robthomas - Rob Thomas
  4. activerain.com/states/TN/cities/Sparta -  A CITY page
  5. activerain.com/states/TN/cities/Johnson%20City -  A CITY page
  6. activerain.com/states/TN/cities/Smyrna A CITY - A CITY page
  7. activerain.com/states/TN/cities/Pigeon%20Forge - A CITY page
  8. activerain.com/states/TN/cities/Jackson  - A CITY page
  9. johnsoncitytnhomesforsale.com/.../why_active_rain_helps_johnson  - Mary Sheridan
  10. nashvilletennesseeliving.com/channels/activerain/topics/buyers_agent  Connie Harvey

Last two are Outside Blogs....  #9 is a Re-Blog of a post... about ActiveRain.  The interesting thing to me is that searching it shows city pages.  I do not remember seeing that searching for any other state.

 

* #1 is the state page Google mentions Connie and Rob. ActiveRain Tennessee page

Nov 16, 2011 11:37 AM
Tatyana Makarov
Century 21 All Points Realty - South Windsor, CT
Your Greater Hartford Area Realtor

Ha-Ha-Ha... I never even paid attention. I should try to Google myself when I am signed out :)

Thanks for the information.

Nov 16, 2011 12:05 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Google yourself and you ought to come up. 

Nov 16, 2011 12:11 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

It does matter if signed in or not. Bottom line ...if I wanna search for a member in a certain state...I'll hit states up top lol

Nov 16, 2011 12:23 PM
Robert Hammerstein -
Christie's International Real Estate - Hillsdale, NJ
Bergen County NJ Real Estate

Maureen - Its' amazing that we didn't show up once from page 1-4 on any google page in NJ logged in or not. Something weird here... And it'ss not good... I wonder what gives.... My competition and plenty of other AR's are there all over the place but not us.... hmmm What gives? And we're number 2 in NJ on the leaderboard.... I'm not liking this too much.. Any ideas out there folks?

Nov 16, 2011 04:23 PM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Maureen, I'm glad you mentioned the filter bubble, because it does make a difference who is searching. I agree consumers are not googling activerain, but homes to buy, or sell in a specific area or price range. Thank you for your post,

Nov 16, 2011 04:42 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Bob or Lisa.... Personally I would not worry about it.  Is the general public looking for ActiveRain?  Why?  Do people search just "New Jersey" for information on real estate?  Wouldn't they search for a county, an area, a town rather then broadly "New Jersey." New Jersey is small but wouldn't you rather show up on a search closer to home than the whole state? And for your names rather than ActiveRain?    Looking at a few of the pages on some states there  are a people who have branded their profile, or a blog post for ActiveRain. 

I think if you want to make the top 10 list you have to brand ActiveRain on consumer posts or on your profile. I can show you examples of people doing that from this experiment.  If you want people looking for your market to see ActiveRain and understand it, you would need to brand it on your AR posts or profile.

One thing to think about when you post content for other AR members do you post it public or Members Only? Many  AR members do not post peer to peer content publicly.  Those that do are more likely to show up on this search but I am not sure consumers are going to care. 

Pam thanks 

Nov 16, 2011 11:22 PM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Maureen...Wow you put a lot off effort in this, Congratulations on your Feature. I think I'know about the Google Search results being different for some time. I did a Search with Firefox just now, and I laughed because Connie is right this post is there from yesterday and now ranked #3 on my computer ...so you are slipping from #2..Not to Worry.

Here's my Google Search Results

 

Nov 17, 2011 03:22 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

For you Fred....  Mine could be higher depending on filter bubbles for others.  Or non-existant.  

On another note.....  If you search ActiveRain agents Victoria BC will it say "United States"   in the url on the Google results because AR is on a US domain?

Nov 17, 2011 04:45 AM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

Hi Maureen - I believe consumers would never google ActiveRain "State" agent. Like you, we will only insert it if agents know about ACTIVE RAIN. Here's my thoughts: For the gist of Gita's post, the search term could possibly be relevant to other Active Rain agents who may have built a sense of community or use the AR network for referrals. Sure, you could say if that was the case, you'd just go to the State and relevant city for referrals. People do different things differently. There's no telling. However, I can tell you, I wont be working on :Active Rain Texas agents as my keyword.

Nov 18, 2011 12:59 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Thanks Loreena, maybe in RI or DE there's a reason to show up for the state in searches for agents  but I do not think so for agents. Texas is huge...

Lots easier local search terms to show up for than trying to tell the general public what AR is.  Not that AR is a big secret but AR did not brand themselves for consumers so why would an individual agent?    I could be wrong but I think ActiveRain wanted to brand Localism to the general public both times it was introduced. 

Localism - Lubbock TX. 

Localism - Franklin TN.

Localism - Columbus OH. 

I think they did a great job or got lucky with the real estate industry hearing of ActiveRain but I don't think the intention was to make ActiveRain a term that the general public is even aware of.... 

 

Nov 18, 2011 06:20 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

anyone else getting hit with delayed comment notifications on their my home  today?  I got a notice about Michael Setunsky's comment Dec 3 at 12:07. 

 

Our real  mailman delivered mail for a September auction today.  September 2011!

Dec 03, 2011 07:16 AM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Maureen - just found my way back here and saw the following .....

"Kathy if you searched for ActiveRain agents Ontario would it say "United States" on a search?"

In a search using Chrome for ActiveRain agents Ontario  while not signd in every single one said United States at the end

 

Ontario Real Estate Agents + Ontario Real Estate News - ActiveRain

 
activerain.com/states/ON - United States
Al & Peggy Cunningham Brokers Brampton Ontario 905-450-5500 Houses For ... Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® Uxbridge Ontario Real Estate Real Estate Agent ...
Jan 19, 2012 02:19 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

thanks. 

Jan 19, 2012 08:37 PM
Back to Top

What's the reason you're reporting this blog entry?

Are you sure you want to report this blog entry as spam?