How long does it take you to typically rank a site?

[bobby sand]

Hi Guys,

I was wondering on average how long it takes you to rank a given site in the casino niche? I often see some spam sites gaming the system with quick results but don't understand how they can achieve ranking's like that so fast. Any info would be appreciated

 

[RyanWeb]

It has become almost impossible to predict what Google will do anymore, but from what I am seeing a new site is likely to be sandboxed for the first few months. I just read an article that said 30 days.. But I have found it to be around 3 months for my buddies I have newly helped launch sites. I am sure the quality of the content and amount may play a role in the timeframe, as well as how quickly the site is gaining authority from other sites pointing to it.

What I tell people is you can expect to work your first 3 to 6 months without seeing any payoff.. and if you work extremely hard, mixed with a little luck you may start to see a little payoff. But don't expect anything big to happen fast.. The payoff can be great 1-2 years in, but you have to keep motivated.

Most of the spam sites you are seeing are just that, they build websites based off blackhat tactics and if you go that route its likely you'll only be working with questionable affiliate programs, and the results won't last long.. Most of us here are in it for the long haul.

 

[bobby sand]

Thanks Ryan, that's extremely helpful. I've too heard that the Google sandbox can last from anywhere from 3 - 6 months but have also heard many people state that within the gambling niche, it often takes even longer than this due to the spammy nature of the industry. I can certainly imagine the pay off being worth it, if you're willing to stick it out. I guess the focus as in any business should be driving value through your content to your consumer base.

 

[Frank]

My experience it has been 3 months.. with crazy spikes one day then nothing the next.. but usually after 3 months you will start to see steady traffic

 

[bobby sand]

I wonder what the spikes signify must be algorithmic fluctuations or social traffic from promotions? algorithmic fluctuations I guess could be caused by Google refreshes, but they're not that periodic.

 

[CasinoKev]

In my experience it takes 6-12 months to rank for decent terms.

But there's still a lot of variance. I have a site that was launched 5 years ago that still doesn't rank for a lot of terms (clean back link profile), and another site that started getting good traffic 3-6 months after launch.

So your mileage may vary based on a number of things including how competitive the terms are and how well you structure and promote the site.

 

[edgarf76]

It also depends on what keyword you are trying to rank for, and if you are just trying to get to the second or third page or rank #1 on the first page and stay there. I would go with 6-12 months to get to the second or third page.

 

[AussieDave]

In my experience it takes 6-12 months to rank for decent terms.

But there's still a lot of variance. I have a site that was launched 5 years ago that still doesn't rank for a lot of terms (clean back link profile), and another site that started getting good traffic 3-6 months after launch.

You can have a site which you've done everything by-the-book, clean BLP, quality content, logical internal linking, responsive layout, yadda...yadda...yadda... and just like CasinoKev said, no matter what you do, the site just doesn't cut the mustard. Where as, you can have another site which has less effort and it ranks well.

You spend literally weeks upon weeks in time trying to figure out the cause and you can't. Why? Cause there is no answer. Simple fact, Google either likes a site or it doesn't.

Free advice, if you ever find yourself in this situation. Don't waste your time on a site. Stop and either build a new one or work on those which are producing the goods. You waste so much time and still your not improving - its a time vampire which will drain the life out of you and head-f#ck ya too

 

[bobby sand]

Thanks for the advise - it really feels like your at Google peril a lot of the time then, since even producing good value content might not do the trick. I guess that's why this industry seems to be one of the most frustrating for affiliates. I've done local SEO before and that seems to be much simpler and relatively easy to aquire ranking', I guess because in those situations you're a legitimate business..

 

[AussieDave]

I guess because in those situations you're a legitimate business..

More likely your not dealing with blackhat and every other scum-bag that lived, using every possible dodgy practice to top the serps.

 

[RyanWeb]

I've done local SEO before and that seems to be much simpler and relatively easy to acquire ranking', I guess because in those situations you're a legitimate business..

For Local SEO you are targeting a much smaller area (narrowed down and targeted), and your going to have a lot less competition. I can rank a site in any hometown, even a larger city pretty easy - (my g/f does photography.. I have her top of G for a few cities). That and tools.. Everyone will advertise anything "except gambling and porn". That makes it a lot harder when you can't buy ad space when just about anyone else can.

Mix that with your blackhatters and you got yourself a challenge..

 

[3joker]

With a big budget it still seems to be easy to rank quickly in google. I see many sites with very little content and reputation but big budgets rank quickly, at least in local serps.

 

[AussieDave]

Sure if you have deep pockets you can get anything to rank in the top 3. Though most affiliates don't have 1,000's to spend each month b#ying links. So it's a moot point

 

[baldidiot]

It depends on how competitive the target keywords are. We have had niche orientated EM's ranking first page for their primary term in a month, but those are generally lower competition sites aimed at something very specific.

On the whole I would probably say three months before you start seeing any kind of real movement for general sites, with the more competitive terms coming after 6-12. Interesting that a lot of others have seen similar results.

These days we actually tend to set up sites with base content about 3 - 6 months before we plan on working on them.

 

[RyanWeb]

These days we actually tend to set up sites with base content about 3 - 6 months before we plan on working on them.

That is super smart time management. I have a few new sites I haven't had the time to set up yet... Content first would be easy enough.. Design, links and the rest a little later down the line.

 

[bobby sand]

I guess 6 - 12 months to see any traffic come through from SEO and then revenue generation after you get some serious traffic? Google has made our lives seriously hard and guessing it will only get harder

 

[RyanWeb]

I guess 6 - 12 months to see any traffic come through from SEO and then revenue generation after you get some serious traffic? Google has made our lives seriously hard and guessing it will only get harder

All that really depends on how much work your doing daily. For example if your putting up 3+ pages a day, yeah you should start seeing some decent traffic all things considered. If your putting up 5 pages a week, your going to see a lot less. I would say for someone serious and motivated 3+ months to start seeing some traffic, at the 6 month mark you may start seeing your first few steady deposits a month.. And maybe by the year mark you have started to build up a small base of players, and may have landed a larger player or two to keep you going.

^ Those numbers could give or take a lot depending on 1000+ different factors.. But for myself, if I was to start over today, those would be my targets.

To start out, be unique and creative! Those longtail keywords and going to be your best friend if you want to steal some traffic away from the larger sites

 

[AussieDave]

Agree with Ryan, it all depends on how much work you commit to. Think of it like building a house. If your foundations are strong and robust, it's less likely to fall down.
When I first started out, took me 6 months to get my 1'st depositor. Back then the competition wasn't like it is today.

However making money in this game, is about a wide range of experience and knowledge. They say it take about 10,000 hours to become proficent in something.

I found as I gained more experience, it was easier to setup a new site and make it profitable quicker. I can get a new site/domain indexed to G in under 12 hours. Though the magic comes from not only building your serps and ranking well for them but maintaining their status qou rankings

 

[AussieDave]

It's also a case of working smart, not hard. EG - trying to rank for "online casino" etc... It might be better time spent ranking for multiple and less competitve keywords/phrases. Remember the more targeted your serps, the more likely your visitors will signup and deposit

 

[edgarf76]

There is some very good advice here, you can check out sem Rush to find longer tailed keywords