First Page Google Results!

Wooohoooo! We just paid for a "first page result on Google".  I've got some bad news for you - no one guarantees first page Google results, not even Google themselves.

There are three likely scenarios if someone is making this claim:

1. You aren't getting a "real" first page result - you will be on the first page in the AdSense results - the paid for classified-like links that are supplementary to search results.
2. They are promising first page rankings on keywords that aren't searched for and aren't of any value.  If they promise a first page result on a given keyword phrase, search for it in Google.  Just beneath the search box will be a number that tells you how many search results there are.  If its a very low number, the chances are its because no one is searching for it.
3. They plan to use "black hat SEO" tactics - spam, massive link exchanges or other tactics.  These work well in the short term (usually), but have two side effects:
   1. the always fall over soon or later;
   2. you have to pay every month to keep them there.

Very few people look at AdSense results.  Can you remember clicking a Google result that wasn't in the main set of results? Most people we speak to cannot.  First page of the classified ads is only useful in a handful of situations.

If the keywords you are getting first page for aren't searched on, you get no results.  You could be first page Google for "Best website designer on the Gold Coast ever", but who is going to search for....that?

Spam and other black hat tactics usually fall over, because all it takes is one site to be reported for spam or misleading content, then it all comes tumbling down.  It is routine practice for "real" search engine optimisers to report the cheats & spammers to Google.  Of course, once you stop paying these guys, your ranks also vanish, because suddenly, no one is linking to your site.  You aren't paying for first page Google results, you are leasing them.