mousepadsonline.com dropped off google like the plague

[Steve Olds]

This site has been up for almost 10 years and has had a great page rank. Last month it disappeared and has not came back. When it was dropped it was #5 on first page for the key words "mouse pads" which is the #1 seach for this product. I searched 50 pages and nothing. I am in a panic. My wife takes care of this and I know nothing. She has been to busy to find out what happened. Any help would be a godsend. Pleeeeese.
www.mousepadsonline.com

[bingo2]

now somewhere past 100 - I think. Don't even know how to tell if i am banned or in sandbox - ANY suggestions?

[Webnauts]

now somewhere past 100 - I think. Don't even know how to tell if i am banned or in sandbox - ANY suggestions?
1. You can check if you are banned here: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/sitestatus
2. Sandbox? Well I do not want to start any discussions about that. Just asking, how long does the problem exist, and in which average time-frame does google crawl your site?

At last, could it be that you have been penalized for something? - 30 or - 950 penalty?

[incrediblehelp]

Recently Google "seems" to have discounted paid, reciprocal and other types of in-bound links. To your best knowledge what type of links made up a majority of your back links which led to this top 5 ranking?

[Steve Olds]

I don't know about links or anything about webdesign for that matter. I am just trying to see if anyone thought something looked bad in the script or something
. It is still on MSN (3) and yahoo (19). I am wondering if it was hacked or messed up on purpose by someone. any help would be so awesome.

[Webnauts]

Does not look like your site have been hacked. One possibility can be that as Incrediblehelp said above, it is very possible that diverse backlinks to your site have been devaluated.

Also your HTML semantical structure is not the best, and could be that you have a loss due to that issue.

If not, then you must be facing a kind of penalty. But that requires a lot of work to find that out. Maybe someone has the time here to check that out.

Good luck by the way.

John

[Steve Olds]

Thanks guys,
I could see if I just dropped in the rankings but when you drop off the first 50 pages there must be something bad going on. even if it was the links, when you get to 50 pages back all there is there are secondary pages and stuff and I can't even find my site in there. I was getting a ton of business so the traffic to the site was good. I was one of the only ones that high up that was not paying for Ad Words. Could that be it? Man I am getting into a financial crunch from this. I really need to know what Happened. My wife doesn't do any black Hat things so if we are being penalized, Why. Thank you so much for helping. I really do appriciate it. You'll never know how much.

[incrediblehelp]

I was one of the only ones that high up that was not paying for Ad Words. Could that be it?

No

Have you considered hiring someone to help build your backlinks?

Have you considered building a blog?

Have you tried link baiting or social media (http://www.jaankanellis.com/link-baiting-and-social-media-optimization-huh/)?

[dglaeser]

Using archive.org (http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.mousepadsonline.com), you can see your Title used to be "Mouse Pads - Custom, Photo, Promotional and Gift". How long has your current title of "Custom|Photo|Gift|Promotional Mouse Pads &T-Shirts" been in place? I've seen simple changes like that to a title page drop sites off the Google map, even things like the & have done it in my experience. Anyone else seen this or think the title may have been a cause (at least partially)?

[dglaeser]

You should also look at your backlinks using Yahoo sitexplorer http://siteexplorer.search.yahoo.com/advsearch?p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mousepadsonline.com&bwm=i&bwmo=d&bwmf=u See what bad sites link to you.

[bingo2]

now somewhere past 100 - I think. Don't even know how to tell if i am banned or in sandbox - ANY suggestions?
1. You can check if you are banned here: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/sitestatus
2. Sandbox? Well I do not want to start any discussions about that. Just asking, how long does the problem exist, and in which average time-frame does google crawl your site?

At last, could it be that you have been penalized for something? - 30 or - 950 penalty?

Sorry for delay in replying, I've been actually been wiating for a response, but got side tracked into optimizing and fresh content for index page....

Not sure how to answer your 2. question and have no clue as to what a 30 or 950 penalty is. Can you please define?

[incrediblehelp]

Using archive.org (http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.mousepadsonline.com), you can see your Title used to be "Mouse Pads - Custom, Photo, Promotional and Gift". How long has your current title of "Custom|Photo|Gift|Promotional Mouse Pads &T-Shirts" been in place? I've seen simple changes like that to a title page drop sites off the Google map, even things like the & have done it in my experience. Anyone else seen this or think the title may have been a cause (at least partially)?

Good pick up David. I agree I would try a title more like:

"Mouse Pads Online as Custom Gifts or Promotional Items"

[bingo2]

Webnauts (thanks for the google link checker) at least I am not *banned*, but might as well be.

I have redone tags, content, added noindex, nofollow to pages of strictly product (very little content) am working on other 'main product pages' titles keywords & descriptions now.

also plan on re-naming a few pages, but do not want to lose any linkbacks or pr - is that where I would use a 301 re-direct? and if so, what is the code?

I am not only a beginner I am also cheif cook and bottle washer... and very brain dead at this point. 18 hrs a day 7 days wk trying to get back in top ten feel like I am at the end of my rope.

Any and ALL help is most gratefully appreciated!

[incrediblehelp]

I have redone tags, content, added noindex, nofollow to pages of strictly product (very little content) am working on other 'main product pages' titles keywords & descriptions now.

Change the home page title. Please look above.

[bingo2]

Using archive.org (http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.mousepadsonline.com), you can see your Title used to be "Mouse Pads - Custom, Photo, Promotional and Gift". How long has your current title of "Custom|Photo|Gift|Promotional Mouse Pads &T-Shirts" been in place? I've seen simple changes like that to a title page drop sites off the Google map, even things like the & have done it in my experience. Anyone else seen this or think the title may have been a cause (at least partially)?


Good pick up David. I agree I would try a title more like:

"Mouse Pads Online as Custom Gifts or Promotional Items"

Oddly enough the things that I have noticed in those sites that took over top 4 or more have the product | style | local *Thought maybe that was the new/latest in title tags*

AND

I noted that most are php! Is php the new make or break code?

[incrediblehelp]

The code of the page does not matter and I would recommend NOT using those characters in the title tag.

[bingo2]

Thanks Incredable ~ I've taken the *|* 's out and uploaded them...

Should I update my sitemap.xml and uploaded it for re-crawl by google? Is it kosher to do so every time you make changes?

AND

what is a 30 or 950(?) penalty?????

[incrediblehelp]

Thanks Incredable ~ I've taken the *|* 's out and uploaded them...

Should I update my sitemap.xml and uploaded it for re-crawl by google? Is it kosher to do so every time you make changes?

AND

what is a 30 or 950(?) penalty?????

1. I still see the same title.

2. Please follow this link on sitemap stuff:

What's new with Sitemaps.org? (http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2007/04/whats-new-with-sitemapsorg.html)

Of course if your sitemap is updated, you should upload a new one. You can simply add a link to the sitemap in your robots.txt file and the SE's will come get it themselves.

3. Check these threads on the penalty stuff:

Post subject: -30 Google Penalty (http://www.webproworld.com/viewtopic.php?t=71504)

Google's 950 Penalty (part 4) - or is it Phrase Based Re-ranking? (http://www.webmasterworld.com/google/3246128.htm)

[dglaeser]

I agree with incrediblehelp on using the new sitemaps.org standard. I hasn't seemed to help search rankings for my sites yet, but I'll comply with the standards and see what happens.

As for using | in your title, yes, it seems a stylish thing to do with a site. But, it is only something that I would suggest doing for a site that received traffic because it is well known. It seems to impair search rankings, at least when I used it on some of my sites in the past.

As for PHP, it is better than HTML in so many ways, but is more useful for a dynamic site that typically uses a database as the backend. Otherwise, most people can get away with HTML without problem.

I'm going to take a look at those Google penalties incrediblehelp, as I've honestly never heard of them. Thanks for those postings.

[bingo2]

hummm. I checked again and it's "updated" without the |'s....

...maybe it takes time to take hold elsewhere?

Oh, and thanks so much for everyones help!

[Webnauts]

I agree with incrediblehelp on using the new sitemaps.org standard. I hasn't seemed to help search rankings for my sites yet, but I'll comply with the standards and see what happens.

Using the new sitemaps standard will not be any help. Lets get serious here.

[incrediblehelp]

I agree with incrediblehelp on using the new sitemaps.org standard. I hasn't seemed to help search rankings for my sites yet, but I'll comply with the standards and see what happens.

Using the new sitemaps standard will not be any help. Lets get serious here.

Right John, sitemaps are not going to directly help rankings.

[dglaeser]

I agree with incrediblehelp on using the new sitemaps.org standard. I hasn't seemed to help search rankings for my sites yet, but I'll comply with the standards and see what happens.

Using the new sitemaps standard will not be any help. Lets get serious here.

I don't mean that they'll directly help rankings. I mean that they will help get more pages indexed, thus, helping to be found in more SERPs. Thanks for clarifying my thoughts.

[Webnauts]

I am reading all over the place that supplemental results is a positive issue, but not only. I found one page in the supplemental results, and it have been there because you are using the same title on another page. So it is not impossible that you have been punished with the -30 penalty after all.

Here is what I found:

Custom T-Shirts-Personalize with your picture/photo, logo or design
www.mousepadsonline.com/custom_printed_t-shirts.html

Custom T-Shirts-Personalize with your picture/photo, logo or design
www.mousepadsonline.com/custom_printed_t-shirts.html?ref=s0d.org

Second link is in the supplemental results. How to fix that? Change one of those titles. And a thumb rule:

Keep title, meta description and keywords tags unique.

When you have fixed the issue, then submit your site map and wait until Google crawls you site. If the problem remains, then you must apply for a re-inclusion at Google. Best option would be within the Google webmasters tool.

That is all for the moment. Good luck.

[Webnauts]

I mean that they will help get more pages indexed, thus, helping to be found in more SERPs.
I do not agree with that either. All Search Engines understand plain XML or Text docs too.

For example, did you ever hear about Yahoo's urllist.txt?

[Steve Olds]

Bingo2, Why are you on this thread. Who are you?

Thank you guys for looking at this for me. Bingo2 is not me or my wife and I don't know why he is here on this thread. Any other thoughts that you have are greatly appriciated.

[incrediblehelp]

Bingo2, Why are you on this thread. Who are you?

Thank you guys for looking at this for me. Bingo2 is not me or my wife and I don't know why he is here on this thread. Any other thoughts that you have are greatly appriciated.

interesting....

[Webnauts]

What the hell is going on here? Who is Bingo2? Is he hijacking the thread?

[Cathy Olds]

Using archive.org (http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.mousepadsonline.com), you can see your Title used to be "Mouse Pads - Custom, Photo, Promotional and Gift". How long has your current title of "Custom|Photo|Gift|Promotional Mouse Pads &T-Shirts" been in place? I've seen simple changes like that to a title page drop sites off the Google map, even things like the & have done it in my experience. Anyone else seen this or think the title may have been a cause (at least partially)?

I changed the title after loosing ranking for about a month. I personally thought that the original was better than the existing title but with so much pressure after the big drop, felt maybe a change would be helpful. I'm at a loss here.

[Cathy Olds]

What the hell is going on here? Who is Bingo2? Is he hijacking the thread?

I would say so!

[Webnauts]

What the hell is going on here? Who is Bingo2? Is he hijacking the thread?

I would say so!

He should better start a new thread, instead of messing everybody up here.

[Webnauts]

Using archive.org (http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.mousepadsonline.com), you can see your Title used to be "Mouse Pads - Custom, Photo, Promotional and Gift". How long has your current title of "Custom|Photo|Gift|Promotional Mouse Pads &T-Shirts" been in place? I've seen simple changes like that to a title page drop sites off the Google map, even things like the & have done it in my experience. Anyone else seen this or think the title may have been a cause (at least partially)?

I changed the title after loosing ranking for about a month. I personally thought that the original was better than the existing title but with so much pressure after the big drop, felt maybe a change would be helpful. I'm at a loss here.

Cathy do you read my posts? Once again:

I am reading all over the place that supplemental results is a positive issue, but not only. I found one page in the supplemental results, and it have been there because you are using the same title on another page. So it is not impossible that you have been punished with the -30 penalty after all.

Here is what I found:

Custom T-Shirts-Personalize with your picture/photo, logo or design
www.mousepadsonline.com/custom_printed_t-shirts.html

Custom T-Shirts-Personalize with your picture/photo, logo or design
www.mousepadsonline.com/custom_printed_t-shirts.html?ref=s0d.org

Second link is in the supplemental results. How to fix that? Change one of those titles. And a thumb rule:

Keep title, meta description and keywords tags unique.

When you have fixed the issue, then submit your site map and wait until Google crawls you site. If the problem remains, then you must apply for a re-inclusion at Google. Best option would be within the Google webmasters tool.

[incrediblehelp]

Cathy try changing the title back ASAP for the home page.

[Cathy Olds]

Using archive.org (http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.mousepadsonline.com), you can see your Title used to be "Mouse Pads - Custom, Photo, Promotional and Gift". How long has your current title of "Custom|Photo|Gift|Promotional Mouse Pads &T-Shirts" been in place? I've seen simple changes like that to a title page drop sites off the Google map, even things like the & have done it in my experience. Anyone else seen this or think the title may have been a cause (at least partially)?

I changed the title after loosing ranking for about a month. I personally thought that the original was better than the existing title but with so much pressure after the big drop, felt maybe a change would be helpful. I'm at a loss here.

Cathy do you read my posts? Once again:

I am reading all over the place that supplemental results is a positive issue, but not only. I found one page in the supplemental results, and it have been there because you are using the same title on another page. So it is not impossible that you have been punished with the -30 penalty after all.

Here is what I found:

Custom T-Shirts-Personalize with your picture/photo, logo or design
www.mousepadsonline.com/custom_printed_t-shirts.html

Custom T-Shirts-Personalize with your picture/photo, logo or design
www.mousepadsonline.com/custom_printed_t-shirts.html?ref=s0d.org

Second link is in the supplemental results. How to fix that? Change one of those titles. And a thumb rule:

Keep title, meta description and keywords tags unique.

When you have fixed the issue, then submit your site map and wait until Google crawls you site. If the problem remains, then you must apply for a re-inclusion at Google. Best option would be within the Google webmasters tool.

Just got on here after Steve called regarding the "hijack" so haven't had time to respond to all the info here. And thank you by the way for your valuable input!

[Cathy Olds]

Cathy try changing the title back ASAP for the home page.

Changed the title tag...

The changes that I made after being "out" for a month were simply a matter of grasping at straws. I manage a few other sites and all remained in great standing except for my own husband's site which was doing so great. I have lots to learn...

I've followed alot of yours and webnauts threads the last couple years and value your thoughts a great deal, so thank you guys!

[Cathy Olds]

Webnauts,

I'm confused about the second supplimental link. www.mousepadsonline.com/custom_printed_t-shirts.html?ref=s0d.org

I have no control over this one and have no duplicate titles on the site.

[Webnauts]

Webnauts,

I'm confused about the second supplimental link. www.mousepadsonline.com/custom_printed_t-shirts.html?ref=s0d.org

I have no control over this one and have no duplicate titles on the site.

Prevent Google from crawling and indexing that page adding this in your robots.txt:

User-agent: Googlebot
Disallow: /*?*

[bingo2]

What the hell is going on here? Who is Bingo2? Is he hijacking the thread?

No, I had absolutely no idea I was hijacking.... I too am in the same boat and truly thought since it was the exact same problem, I was allowed to post as well.

One member with problem, several advisors, please excuse my interference. It won't happen again.

If this is the case, I'll start a separate thread. Please advise.

I had/have no intention of monopolizing nor hijacking anything!

[dglaeser]

I mean that they will help get more pages indexed, thus, helping to be found in more SERPs.
I do not agree with that either. All Search Engines understand plain XML or Text docs too.

For example, did you ever hear about Yahoo's urllist.txt?

Webnauts - Thanks for mentioning that to me. I was not aware of urllist.txt. That is what this site is all about, learning something new that will help us all. Thanks for all of your valuable postings here and elsewhere.

[dglaeser]

What the hell is going on here? Who is Bingo2? Is he hijacking the thread?

No, I had absolutely no idea I was hijacking.... I too am in the same boat and truly thought since it was the exact same problem, I was allowed to post as well.

One member with problem, several advisors, please excuse my interference. It won't happen again.

If this is the case, I'll start a separate thread. Please advise.

I had/have no intention of monopolizing nor hijacking anything!

I have no problem with you asking a similar question here, but to receive better help, and to allow Steve and Cathy to receive the help they need, start a new thread for your site and its issues. Thanks.

[Webnauts]

Bingo2 and dglaeser thanks for your understanding. Please PM me the links of the threads you started so I can come over and have a look.

Now it's Cathy's and Steve's turn. :)