Hello 2474 ~
The reason your site isn't showing when you search for your domain,
www.sunvacations.org, is that it isn't included in Google's index.
You didn't say whether or not you have ever submitted it to Google
using Google's Add:URL page,
- ://www.google.com/addurl.html
or whether or not you ever were included in Google's index; but it
would help to understand what Google considers *relevant* and Google's
responsibilities to the searcher, not to the website owners. Google's
mission is to provide the "most relevant" information in return to a
searcher's query.
In fact, Google is so dedicated to this mission, it states it in its
"GOOGLE TODAY - Never settle for the best",
"Though acknowledged as the world's leading search
technology company, Google's goal is to provide a
much higher level of service to all those who seek
information, whether they're at a desk in Boston,
driving through Bonn, or strolling in Bangkok..."
- ://www.google.com/corporate/today.html
Basically, your site offers links to other sites, such as:
* Trip Advisor
* Expedia
* Hotel View
* Travel Continent Advisors
and other travel sites or travel information sites - with no original
or relevant content of your own.
Around the first of the year, Google started leaning heavily on
websites that relied on links to and from other sites with no real
content. Among those industries hardest hit were, among others, the
travel and travel-related industry. Sites which remained the same
where those sites which offered original, relevant content.
Sites which disappeared completely from Google's index were those who
offered nothing but a list of links to other sites. The message is
becoming clear that with 6 billion plus pages indexed, Google doesn't
consider a page full of links the most relevant return for a search
query.
Discussion forums are full of webmasters upset because what once
worked for their sites is now being penalized, and they are either
being lowered to such an insignificant position in search engine
results they aren't being seen - or they are being dropped entirely
from Google's index.
Wander through the postings on Webmaster World since the beginning of
the year, and you will see a LOT of webmasters upset that what once
worked doesn't now. Sometimes they're upset because their competition
is still getting away with practices that no longer work for them, but
it really is just a matter of time before all the other sites
disappear, too.
- http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum3/
If you want your site to be listed in a very competitive category,
provide something more than a page with links to other sites, include
keyword rich relevant content, develop relevant links TO your site,
and pay attention to the design guidelines to make your site
user-friendly. Then you stand a good chance of not only being included
in Google's index, but maybe even ranking well in response to a
searcher's query.
I am including important links from Google's site. This information
will help you understand Google's goals and responsibility to the web
searcher (and not the webmaster or site owner).
Webmasters who follow the guidelines and avoid Google's "Thou shalt
nots" usually have no problem getting listed and showing up under the
search terms they desire.
* Google Today (absolutely the best information you
can read about the "how and why" of Google's results
- ://www.google.com/corporate/today.html
* How Do I Get My Site Listed on Google?
- ://www.google.com/webmasters/1.html
* My Web Pages Are Not Currently Listed (a good 'primer'
on how and why Google works so well)
- ://www.google.com/webmasters/2.html
* PageRank Information (covers both Google's PageRank and
SERPS)
- ://www.google.com/webmasters/4.html
* Webmaster Guidelines (contains both the dos and don'ts)
- ://www.google.com/webmasters/guidelines.html
* Google Facts & Fiction (can you buy your way to a
high ranking in Google?)
- ://www.google.com/webmasters/facts.html
* Search Engine Optimizers (some good advice on what to look
for if you're going to hire a Search Engine Optimizer)
- ://www.google.com/webmasters/seo.html
* Frequently Asked Questions (pretty much what it says, but
definitely worth wading through)
- ://www.google.com/webmasters/faq.html
* Remove Content from Google's Index (just in case you feel
a burning need to start all over again)
- ://www.google.com/remove.html
Summary
=========
What might have worked in the past is no longer working for many sites
in Google's index. Particularly hard-hit was the travel industry, and
unless you can provide more than a page full of links, the chances of
being included, and if included, of ranking well are very poor.
Give the searcher what he is looking for, which isn't a page full of
link's to other sites - after all, he's already ON a search engine
site to find the information.
Search terms
==============
Besides any specific searches mentioned above, I relied on resources
and bookmarked information used daily in my regular course of work.
Please don't take this personally, I can assure you it is not. What
may have worked a short while ago to gain a high search rank no longer
works. It is just that a page full of links is not what Google, or the
searcher using Google, is looking for.
Best wishes,
Serenata
Google Answers Researcher |
