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Who's the Boss? Google is.

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Home Jane Realty BRE# 01439865

Those of us who blog on a regular basis know that we serve one master, Google.

When I first started blogging the concentration wasn't specifically on how to please Google, it was more about building an attractive website and finding the right IDX. The IDX in the early days was what brought visitors to my site. I picked the right one at the time, Diverse Solutions, which did its job. The search engines started crawling my website due to the way the IDX was feeding them listings. Enter a address and more often than not I would come up on or near page one. I relied greatly on the IDX which brought me a lot of business and became my main marketing strategy. I wasn't really obsessed with what Google was thinking.

Don't get me wrong, I was still blogging. I would write market reports and concentrate on a couple of niche areas which supplemented the success of the IDX. I was gliding along thinking I was made.

Then you started to hear about Google algorithms. Some mystical, intangible tool used to make sure no one gets too comfortable.

Little by little I, like others, started to drop in the SERPS (search engine results pages),d but it wasn't terrible. Then this year we got hit big time. All of us who were relying on our IDXs found our indexed pages plummeted. Google got wise and realized that there was a ton of duplicate content out there and started to give that content less attention. After all there are hundreds if not thousands of websites showing the same listings. I no longer am anywhere near the top when looking for a particular listing, and I dropped from 250K indexed to 70K.

It was a shock because I hadn't been driving myself nuts thinking about what I should be blogging about, and now I need to do the hard work again. 

Google has not abandoned me because I wrote a post yesterday about grannny flats and got a call today with a question from someone who had entered "granny flat laws" as a search term. Up I came. 

So, if you do it right, you can please the boss. Google will always give you another chance.

Comments (24)

Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I've noticed a huge difference over the years in where I place on pages. No longer immediately to page one like I used to.

 

Nov 03, 2017 07:19 AM
Doug Rogers
RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals - Alexandria, LA
Your Real Estate Resource!

Google is the Boss. And like some Bosses can change their mind on a whim.

Nov 03, 2017 07:55 AM
Lottie Kendall
Compass - San Francisco, CA
Helping make your real estate dreams a reality

I don't understand Google. Early in October I discovered that emails I sent to gmail accounts were ending up in recipients spam. After 2-3 weeks driving myself crazy, it corrected itself. Sure doesn't make me feel confident!

Nov 03, 2017 11:33 AM
John Wiley
Fort Myers, FL
Lee County, FL, ECO Broker, GRI, SRES,GREEN,PSA

I am not really thrilled to think that Google is my boss.

It may be more of a reality than I want to believe.

Thanks for provoking my thinking.

Nov 04, 2017 08:40 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Michelle Carr-Crowe-Top 1% Diamond Certified Real Estate Team Sells Cupertino San Jose Homes-Just Call 408-252-8900 Thanks for stopping by.

Celia Chu Hiring people who know what they are doing is always going to help.

Jeff Dowler there definitely is more competition and the bigs guys are killing it.

 

Nov 04, 2017 01:11 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Gwen Fowler-CRS- 864-638-3599 SC Mountains & Lakes-- Don't we all.

Sharon Tara It's not just you. Everyone I talk to is in the same boat.

Doug Rogers And Google is more fickle than most.

Lottie Kendall You really do have to stay on top of it.

John Wiley Just keep your boss happy.

 

Nov 04, 2017 01:13 PM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

Google has so  much control!!  It's a blessing overall but you have to keep an eye on it

Nov 06, 2017 01:13 PM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Ah yes, time to get blogging again! Great way to explain the changes in Google's search results, Jane.

Nov 08, 2017 01:27 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR you do indeed.

Cynthia Larsen glad you are back blogging again.

Nov 08, 2017 02:00 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Funny coincidence.  While catching up on the AR emails I found yours!  Just today I was reminiscing about the calls and leads I used to get that I no longer receive.  Argh!   Back to the drawing board and the new basics. 

Nov 09, 2017 07:23 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Jan Green Everyone got hit. When you find the answer, please let me know.

Nov 10, 2017 12:29 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

Ugh!

Nov 10, 2017 01:44 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Just when you think you're coming close to a goal and doing it "right", they move the goal line Jane Peters ...

Over the years I've come to rely on your expertise and knowledge of SEO, blogging, and more.  You generously share what you yourself have learned and experienced ... and that's helped me tremendously.  As always, thank you.

I'm sure Google will continue evolving ... and we will have to evolve with it.

Gene  

Nov 11, 2017 08:05 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi Thank you for your kind words, Gene. Yes, it is a constant battle trying keep up with Google.

Nov 12, 2017 11:20 AM
Lou Ludwig
Ludwig & Associates - Boca Raton, FL
Designations Earned CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC

Jane

Thanks for sharing your Google insight.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Nov 23, 2017 07:27 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

I've never mastered Googles' algorithms, but I am happily surprised when I show up for certain phrases, esp subdivision articles. And yes, Google is the boss! So much is beyond our control, but we keep trying. 

Dec 02, 2017 07:39 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Pat Starnes, Brandon, MS You are obviously keeping Google happy if you are coming up for your keywords. Good for you.

Dec 02, 2017 02:05 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Looks like Google becomes smarter and smarter and I believe that we are moving to more and more video content and especially live videos. 

Dec 09, 2017 11:36 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Inna Ivchenko I never watch videos if can help it, but they definitely draw the attention of Google.

Dec 10, 2017 02:53 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

We will be refocusing our video efforts this year. The key is to keep them short and entertaining - we can't hold anyone's interest for too long. We're hoping it helps. 

Dec 27, 2017 08:02 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD oh boy, I so don't like video but I know it's the thing. Good luck. I am sure it is going to help.

Dec 27, 2017 03:02 PM