Has My Client Been Manually Effected By Google?

Hello everybody,

I am doing some SEO for a local HVAC company and his site seems penalized to me. Two years ago, he was first page for everything with multiple results (good old days). Obviously, he was hit by an update. But, I have been doing SEO for him for two months now and hardly a difference. I have built lots of unique content, im blogging, etc for him. Using the same tactics I've used to achieve success for others.

His backlinks are all just directories from before me. I feel like the company that used to manage his SEO used software for link building and that made those garbage links.

He is now floating around pages 4-7 for his keywords and they aren't that high in competition. For example, the number one result for his main keyword is a one year old website.

Any insight?

I don't think the directories are the sole reason for that to be honest .. you know Google is looking for Content/Updates/Social Profiles/Sharing and a Site that's in good shape for onpage Seo.

So if it were me I would start at Point 1 and work my way through every possible issue until they were all done .. Also make sure to do Google Plus and Google Authorship.

I would imagine if your doing all that - and his competitors aren't your going to see results/rankings return.

The created directories aren't ranking? The guys yelp page isn't on the first page?

Did your client get any notifications in webmaster tools?

Danny1111 said:

I don't think the directories are the sole reason for that to be honest .. you know Google is looking for Content/Updates/Social Profiles/Sharing and a Site that's in good shape for onpage Seo.

So if it were me I would start at Point 1 and work my way through every possible issue until they were all done .. Also make sure to do Google Plus and Google Authorship.

I would imagine if your doing all that - and his competitors aren't your going to see results/rankings return.

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No, but his backlink profile isn't great overall. I just setup Google Plus and he is utilizing Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.

Bostoncab said:

The created directories aren't ranking? The guys yelp page isn't on the first page?

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The directories are on poor sites so no.

RightInTwo said:

Did your client get any notifications in webmaster tools?

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I am setting up webmaster tools tomorrow. He has everything with another provider so I'm gonna pry around in there once I get access. But I doubt they have already set it up.

tristangemus said:

I am setting up webmaster tools tomorrow. He has everything with another provider so I'm gonna pry around in there once I get access. But I doubt they have already set it up.

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That's where I would start. It's possible you need to do some disavowing shortly.

Definitely start with Webmaster tools. Probably the only way to tell other then your site being completely de-indexed

WMT +1 - I assumed you had that.

tristangemus said:

No, but his backlink profile isn't great overall. I just setup Google Plus and he is utilizing Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.



The directories are on poor sites so no.



I am setting up webmaster tools tomorrow. He has everything with another provider so I'm gonna pry around in there once I get access. But I doubt they have already set it up.

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I run a local business myself I guarantee if you can get this guy a few properties on the front page he will be happy to continue using your services. If his phone number is one of the top for his targeted keyword searches what does it matter if its his yelp page or yellowpages or his facebook whatever?