Comments on: Q and A: Is it possible to guarantee a 1st page listing in Google?

By: Peter Newsome

Peter Newsome — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:17:49 +0000

@Sheldon – You’re right – but the purpose of this post was to educate people to avoid SEO firms who guarantee services because most likely they’ll get you ranked for the longest long-tail terms possible… or are engaging in techniques that could get the clients site in trouble.

It’s like me guaranteeing that I’m the best SEO in the world – under the proviso that the word “best” is defined in my terms and conditions as “better than my gold fish” and “world” is defined as “my bedroom”.

Sure you could do it, but it really wouldn’t be ethical and certainly wouldn’t give you much credibility.

By: Sheldon (Marketing Consultant, Tauranga)

Sheldon (Marketing Consultant, Tauranga) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:34:57 +0000

I’m going to be picky here and disagree. A first page gaurentee IS possible if the client doesn’t mind what search phrase their website ranks in the top 10 for!

By: Webmaster Chronic

Webmaster Chronic — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:21:07 +0000

I agree. Luckily, I think more and more people (businesses) are becoming aware of SEO and web marketing in general. Still a long way to go…

By: Kalena Jordan

Kalena Jordan — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:44:17 +0000

@Mickey – thanks for weighing in. Agree that guarantees are a red flag. Just wanted to point out that Peter actually wrote this post and not me ;-)

By: Mickey

Mickey — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:21:22 +0000

There are usually two techniques that they use to fulfill this “guarantee”.

The first, like Kalena alluded to, is the paid listings. Not everyone knows the difference, and some companies take advantage of it.

The second is to get the client ranked on the first page for some obscure query. For example, search for “kalena guarantee 1st page listing”, and she’s first! Pretty much every site has something they rank near the top for. A shady SEO will find that gem and then highlight it.

Anyhow, like she said, no one can honestly guarantee a first page placement. If they do, run away!