Different Browsers Return Different Results

[Andy3568]

OK, so I have this Squidoo lens that shows up in the #1 spot on Google. I'm all excited about that. Then one day, I switch from using Firefox to Internet Explorer, and just for kicks, I do the exact same search. This time, I have no idea where the lens is, but it's nowhere on the first 10 pages. So I go back to Firefox and do the search again, and there it is in the #1 spot. So just for the heck of it, I do a search for my own website and boom, #1 spot. Yay! Back in Internet Explorer, there's my website... on page 3.

Does Google give different search results depending on what browser you're using. If so, why?

[Forum Admin 2]

This is all the information that I was able to obtain on why this is happening. Great question Andy! Wish I had the specific answer to provide you with.:)

http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=100782

[Andy3568]

Thanks for the link, Forum Admin 2.

I think I found out what was going on. There was another difference that I overlooked that turned out to be the culprit. I was logged in to my Google account when I did the search on Firefox, but I was not logged in when I did the search on Internet Explorer. When I logged out of my Google account on Firefox, the serach results were identical to those returned on Internet Explorer. It's disappointing since my sites had better positions when I was logged in to my account, and I suspect that most surfers and potential customers get the results I get when I'm logged out. But it does explain why I don't have a ton of traffic when I'm in the #1 spot... for everyone else, I'm not in the #1 spot. I'm on page 3 (or in the case of my lens, in BFE somewhere).

I guess if you want accurate information on where your sites actually rank, log out of your Google account before doing your search.

[Forum Admin 2]

You can still get your site to front page. Double check your keywords, check your marketing strategies. The more you market the more credibility will be provided to the search engines.:)

[Moderator 1]

Search engine optimization is one of the most powerful tools you can use. As Forum Admin 2 mentioned, using keywords that are targeted will help you with your organic/natural visitors.

Using your links effectively (from articles, ads, blogs, lenses, etc.) will help you as well. :)

[TshirtFrank]

One thing that i noticed was that when I would view my websites at home vs at work (sorry boss) My sites would come up in different spots. What I learned is that you have to Cache your browser in order to get accurate results. When you search things often you get cookied and you have to clear those out of your browser to get the accurate set of results.

Simply hit control f5 in the search results and it will give you the most accurate up to date listings.

Cheers,

TSF

[Forum Admin 2]

This is good to know TSF! We appreciate you sharing this with us:)

[Moderator 1]

This is true TSF - thank you for sharing this valuable tip with our members! :)

[MakeMuchMoney3]

That sounds a little strange, but you solve the problem :) It should not make any difference if you are using Firefox or Internet Explorer.

[Moderator 1]

It shouldn't, but you never know! :)

[Forum Admin 2]

You are right, it shouldn't, but for some reason this can happen.

I remember a while ago an online friend and I were checking out our articles and their rankings. We both were using different browsers and couldn't understand why we were not seeing the same results.

One of the best parts of this is you can have an article ranking on the second page of Google and find it on the first page or Yahoo.

So my thought for myself, is to not hit the f5 so I can see my articles on the front page. :D

[Moderator 1]

That is how unpredictable the search engines are. :)

[Forum Admin 2]

Very interesting when you stop and think about it. :)

[Andy3568]

Thanks, TSF. I didn't think of that either.

The mysteries of Google...

[Moderator 1]

Google does have a mind of its own. You just have to roll with them. :)

[Tex]

Just to add a bit more information about Squidoo, I too, had number one placement in a Squiidoo search for two of my articles for several weeks. Suddenly, both were gone. I never switched browsers (I always used IE) and cleared my cache several times. They were completly gone for 1 week no matter what keyphrase I used. I noticed other people's articles were gone too. A week later, my articles reappeared, one article was in number one position again and the other was on the second page. I still don't know what happened but it had to be Squidoo.

[Forum Admin 2]

Thank you for sharing your experience Tex! New information is always good for increasing our own knowledge:)

[Moderator 1]

The search engines are funny like that. I haven't seen that happen with Squidoo that frequently, but it of course can happen. :)