Can't Regain My Google Results

[cz]

I used to be #1 & 2 or in the first 4 positions of every term you could think of to get to my site & product pages. After Florida update, I can't get higher than 2nd page and most are far worse than that, 3rd page or worse. I used this technique like this: title tag = keyword, brand keyword, related words keyword, keywords (plural version) and then repeat the same thing in my description sentences and in keywords, H1, body text, breadcrumbs and image keywords on product pics.

This is for my defense site, which is a tough niche but I'm getting HAMMERED by sites on every term, with PR0, loads of 2's & 3's are owning the Google results. I have PR4 (not that it matters all that much). It's an ever deepening slide downhill.

I have been noticing something though. Many of the sites ranking on top are so poorly?? optimized that many don't have either keyword or description meta tags, some have nothing but a title tag and little or no PR.

Title tags are so short, like: title = keyword, description = Buy a really great keyword, you need one. Come in and buy one! Keyword tags (when used) seemed similar to what I use.

I have greater keyword density "on page" and more exact repetitions of the exact keyword plus plurals.

Do I hold on to my hat or start de-optimizing? How much (an item page or a whole section of items)? How long would I expect to wait & see any result?

All thoughts welcome!

[Mel]

The answer to high rankings for competitive terms on Google is anchor text which you do not seem to have even mentioned.

IMO you will stand a much better chance for high rankings on the page content of the algo if you limit your optimization to no more than one or two keyphrases per page.

[cz]

Thanks Mel!

Would you clarify please? A couple of times "across the board", title, description, keyword tags? Or, the body text?

You are right about anchor text and I am concerned about that. I did get two of my reciprocal link partners to give me some keyword text links, in my links from their sites. I was new at optimizing when I got most of these links and they mostly said the same description and pointed at my home page whereas from now on I'll be getting some links to sections in next layer down instead of always to my main page.

Thank you for posting!
Chuck

[cz]

Apologies for posting which bumps this up, but I would request with all respect, any further comments regarding my site's loss of listings on Google.
Thank you very much!
Chuck