Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Search Engine Optimization

On this page I answer questions that customers ask me, to share this information with all who could benefit from it. Obviously this SEO FAQ is a work in progress.

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CACHE

Q1. How do I clear my cache? (and why?)

When you search for your keyphrases in Google, you may be seeing different results from what I am seeing. A possible reason for that could be that you are using Gmail and are logged into Gmail which means that Google will remember that you have done this search before – and that will influence the results you are getting on this new search. Google in this case is giving you what you want to find… because you found it before. Solution: log out of Gmail before you do the search — this disconnects the new search from your Google search history.

Another possible factor that can skew your search results (that is, can show you different results to those I am seeing) is that computer may have stored some earlier results in its cache (which is like a storehouse). Solution: clear your browser’s cache.

How do you clear your cache?

If you use Firefox (as I do),
click the Tools link at the top of your screen,
click Clear recent history,
tick Cache,
untick everything else,
click Clear now.

If you use Internet Explorer, it would have a similar function which you should be able to find. If not, a Google search will explain how to do that.

GOOGLE

Q1. Where does Google get the 2 line summary from? Is there a way to make it say what I want it to say?

Yes, there is. Google (other search engines too) takes it from the meta description tag on each page and they print the first 160 characters of whatever you enter there.

Well, that’s what we used to think. Today we know that Google might use your meta description or they might use ANY on-page text that is relevant to the search. So the smart SEO advice today is to make sure every sentence can stand on its own and correctly represent what you want people to know about your page if they only get to read that one sentence.

Q2. Why did my listing in Google just go down?

Yes, it’s mighty worrying when you see that… until you understand what’s happening. Actually you can expect your listing position to go through a few ups and downs whenever Google is detecting changes in the behind-the-scenes dynamics (such as the number of backlinks pointing to your site), so dont be unduly worried if it goes down because that’s usually temporary. And often you come out in a stronger position after Google shuffles their index again… assuming that your number of backlinks is growing… which of course it is, if you’re a client of mine. Building backlinks is included in my promotional services.

By the way, I never did fully figure out why the listing positions go down but I have learned (and other SEO consultants confirm this from their experience too) that when a site we’re promoting goes down, a few days later it will most likely bounce back up — to a higher position than before.

So what initially looks like bad news (“this SEO thing isnt working… Gary, you killed my site!“) is actually a step in the process of putting you nearer the TOP of Google’s search results.

YOUTUBE

Q1. I was thinking of recording a 10 min relaxation recording to place on you tube, with a relaxing image, or similar for a back ground. Any special tips to help get it noticed?

Use a keyword phrase for the title of the video.
Put your full site URL as the first thing in the description.
Description can be as long as you like – full article length, filled with keywords.
Visit some related videos and post a comment – including your video’s link.
Visit http://pageonewithgary.com, scroll down to find the search box, search for a post about videos, write a brief comment.

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If you have questions, you’re welcome to use our contact page to ask them.
I will answer you directly by email and also add the answer here.
Gary