Strange Behaviour - Varying rankings across browsers and devices
-
Hello,
I noticed something quite strange over the last week with one of my keywords. I'll explain the lead up to this so it makes more sense.
I started SEO work for a client about 3 months ago. One of the keywords I'm trying to increase their ranking for is "auto body calgary". I made a specific landing page for this keyword so it could be better targeted. After I made this landing page I saw their root domain (not the landing page) increase about 10 rankings to number 9 in 2 months. It hung at number 9 for about a month, and then the last month it has decreased to rank 15. For interest sake I searched "auto body calgary" on multiple computers and browsers. On one of the computers I used Safari and my landing page showed up in the number 2 position. On my mobile phone and personal laptop I used Safari and it showed to root domain ranked at 15. I used Google to search every time and wasn't logged in to my Google account on either of the searches. The only thing I've done in the last month is updated some of their directory submissions so they are more consistent.
Out of this I have two questions:
-
Why would different browsers show considerably different rankings and pages for a keyword?
-
Since my landing page is more targeted to "auto body calgary" is Google trying to show that page instead of the root domain? (my root domain has considerably more authority than this landing page)
Thanks to anyone who can offer insight!
-
-
Great thanks Moosa,
I'll stick to that standardized query and that should help with the inconsistencies.
-
Hey Federico,
Thanks for the response.
I think sticking to that standardized query will be the way to go. I guess at the end of the day it's just odd behaviour.
-
In my opinion results can be different for different devices and this is because Google see a website for desktop different and for a mobile the algos react differently to a website!
If you are facing different results on multiple browsers than this must be the search history or personalized results. I would recommend you what Fede said!
Use this query (https://www.google.com/search?q=auto%20body%20calgary&gl=us&pws=0) and you will see the standard results instead of personalised ones!
hope this helps!
-
Ohhh the 1 million question... Why Google show different results depending on the browser, computer, connections, etc...?
It is certainly known that Google WILL show what "he" thinks might be more useful to the user searching. They DO track what you searched, visited, etc, even if you are not logged in, they WILL deliver personalized results based on several (yet unknown) variables, some are location, device, browser, etc. You can even search with the same account, computer and different browsers and get different results, for some reason they think a search within the same device, and account, but with a different browser should deliver different results (this isn't always the case, but in my experience I found this kind of results regularly). The device is "understandable", pages may look different in different devices, so perhaps a page that is ranking well on a desktop, doesn't rank too well on a mobile device as it may be "unreadable" while on an iphone (for example). So is the location, they want to deliver more local results, and that is also understandable.
What I would suggest is this cases, is that you take ONE of the ways you track and then stick to it to run your reports, Moz uses (I think) this type of query: https://www.google.com/search?q=auto body calgary&gl=us&pws=0 (I almost find the same results as they report using that).
To answer your second question, it is also kind of a mystery, we cannot control what Google shows, and they will show what they think is for the best interest of the user. So even if you create a landing page for a specific word, that word SERP may show your homepage instead of the page you created or the other way around... Who knows...
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
MOZ rankings HUGE drop to 1
Hello, My website's MOZ rankings dropped dramatically to DA 1 PA 1 MOZ rank 0 Backlinks 0. A problem seems that my backlinks are no longer recognised, as there are of course many backlinks active and not the 0 mentioned. Also, I recently experienced a big drop in Google SERP, only for my homepage (main keyword), not for subpages (longtail). I don't know what might be the cause for the SERP and MOZ drop. The only thing I can think of is that the past months I first changed from http://www.mydomain to http://my domain and later to https://mydomain However this was done properly and added in Google search console. Also Google SC does recognise my backlinks still (eventhough most are to the old redirected http://www.mydomain version). Can this be the cause, or do you have any suggestions what might be the cause, or what I can do to find out? Obviously I am interested in finding out the reason for the big SERP drop as this might have to do with the same cause for the big MOZ drop. Thanks! 🙂
Reporting & Analytics | | Torilion0 -
Search console Search Analytics devices not showing mobile and tablet data since July 29th, have anyone noticed that too?
If you filter for devices in the search analytics at search console you get that from July 29th all the data is tagged as desktop and mobile and tablet have no data from that date. I see that for all my websites I have search console for, any input on that?
Reporting & Analytics | | amirbt0 -
How is a Bounce defined for mobile devices?
Hi, does anyone know or have a link for me, where I can find, what or how a Bounce is defined for mobile devices? If you are on safari mobile and click on the homebutton, is that a bounce?
Reporting & Analytics | | ennovators
If you are surfing and you get a message alert on the top and you change application, is that a bounce? Any ideas are much appreciated. Thanks1 -
Does Lightbox Gallery Clicks Count Positively Toward Page Rank?
When a user clicks through a lightbox gallery, are these counted as a click through for page rank? I am using WonderPlugin Grid Gallery on multiple pages with multiple galleries. I do not want these clicks to be wasted. Please advise. Regards, Clever Name SEO www.clevernameseo.com
Reporting & Analytics | | cindymariesilva0 -
Image ranking plummet help
Hi Moz Community, I need help understanding why my site is dropping rankings and traffic significantly. We were hit the hardest with doing a image query filter ~6/2-6/3 (image attached). We also had a site migration on this exact date, but didn't change URL structure or domain names, just switched hosting sites. I'm assuming this plummet is from the migration, but can't figure out why. I may also not be understanding this filter clearly so let me know. Shoot any questions my way that could help your understanding of the problem be more clear. Thanks,
Reporting & Analytics | | IceIcebaby
-Reed yVzQRTK0 -
Rankings UP, rankings DOWN - why?
Last week, I had 14 keywords go up and less than 5 go down. I was so thrilled! Except this week, I had 10 go up and 14 go down! How can I figure out what is going on? I am up and down 30+ spots with Google. I'd really like to stay up. My site is pretty new, just a few months. I am still fiddling around with settings trying to follow all the advice I read. (robot meta tags, title tag) I didn't change any content in the last week. Does SEOmoz analyze the ranking data?
Reporting & Analytics | | dealblogger0 -
How to Get Keyword Ranks
I want to check the keywords position of the entire site just by giving the site URL. Is there any way ?
Reporting & Analytics | | akansh0 -
Keeping my rank on SERPs
I recently ranked on yahoo, #4 for my keyword! It has taken 2 months and finally, out of the blue, there I am. This is my first time actually attempting an SEO campaign. At first I was listed for my keyword, then i started dropping after a few days. Then I made a new post, included those keywords, and I got back up to rank #4 again (for the new post). Why is this happening? Do I have to make a new post every 4-5 days to keep myself listed on the yahoo first page serps?
Reporting & Analytics | | SaborStyle0