New EMD update effected my mom's legit author page? From page 1 in SERP to nowhere for her name

[Operatic]

I think my mom's site, MargaretTerry.com was hit by this update for her name "Margaret Terry". Went from bouncing around the first page on google.com and .ca all the time to nowhere on the index. The results are now very strange, a mix of Youtube, linked in, and small book stores that she has done events at recently to promote her first book.

I was checking after some of my SEO buddys were freaking out about their EMD's getting hit on Sunday. She is an aspiring author with a book coming out this month. There is obviously no ads or spam content on the site... I have never done SEO for it either except a bit of on page I guess. It sucks that people might be grabbing her book soon and when they Google her name nothing shows up.  This couldn't have really happened at a worse time.  Not to mention the hours spent building the site to her liking, free of charge of course

Is there anyone I can contact there to help me out? Shouldn't and EMD that is someones name still rank when you search their name?

[MattJanaway]

Give me a shout. Id happily guide you through helping and give you some pointers.

The reason it has dropped is either because they are classing it as a low value domain for precisely the reason you explained; " I have never done SEO for it either except a bit of on page I guess."... Due to the site having no links, they think it is trying to rank for the keyword "Margaret Terry" by just having the keyword in the domain name. OR it hasn't been hit by updates - it has simply lost its freshness. It is normal for new websites to rank well temporarily while Google determines the quality of the site. Almost like they are given the benefit of the doubt for a while.

Due to the book coming out, now would certainly be the time to show Google that the site does have quality to it. This wont happen instantly but you would also hope that links will start building naturally once the book is released.

I wrote a few pointers on link building for new websites (or for sites without links) earlier in an answer to another question - you may find that useful. Clicky here.

Another fantastic way of building links for a writer's website would be to get readers to review and give their opinions on the book with a link back to their site. Review sites are great for this but also look for reading clubs and blogs.

I see that there is not a great deal of content on the site - it would help if you got some nice articles on there. I spotted a blog section - this would be the ideal place.

Let me know if you need more help, feel free to add me to Skype or Twitter should you wish. The details are in my SEOMoz profile - just click my name above.

[GeorgeAndrews]

I know you probably don't want to hear this, but after looking at the site itself I would say the reason is because the site has very thin content. Both Open Site Explorer and Majestic SEO have no data for looking at the link profile either. I'd imagine this is also because the site is very thin.

I think if you built out more content, you might see the site back on top in Google very easily. It's still on top in Bing.

You can also build links as Matt describes above, but I'd still try to put a little more depth into the site so people have a reason to stay. Reviews and a blog which Margaret writes actively on would be great content to provide for this.

Good luck and hope this helps!

[Adam.Whittles]

I did a little digging around your mother's site (margaretterry.com) and I don't think you have been hit by the recent updates.

Correct me if I'm wrong but it looks like the domain was created in February of this year and I assume the site didn't go live till even later?

Having looked at the site with opensiteexplorer.org, there are no links being picked up and the page (and domain) authority is 1/100. Basically your site has no authority behind it.

When you initially launch a new domain, it is not unusual to see it bounce around. I also believe that Google tends to give new domains an initial artificial boost to help get started. However after a period, the site will be expected to rank on its own. This means that if your site has no links, you will not be able to rank well.

My advice would be to start building links and authority to the site. I'm afraid it's not a quick fix but it looks like your only option.

[Operatic]

Awesome reply.  Thank you so much for your help.  I just assumed I would never need to do any SEO for it as no one was really competing for her name.

There are a lot of book stores and review sites that already have pages for her book I'm sure I can contact the owners and have them link to her home page.

I still don't understand how Google can value her Linked In profile more than her home page?  Spokeo and 192.com that are unrelated results come up next.  I mean I understand there are more than one Margaret Terry in the world but its still confusing me.

I will add you to skype as I have one more question to ask.  Cheers

[Operatic]

Yes, it took me a bit to build it to her liking before launching.  I guess it could have been dancing, but it seemed to have been solid for at least a month, hence why I thought it was the update.

At least all hope is not lost.  Thanks!

[MattJanaway]

"Thank you so much for your help"

Anytime! I hate to see genuine people needing help but not knowing where to turn. I hate it almost as much as I hate none-genuine people offering to help in return for something.

"There are a lot of book stores and review sites that already have pages for her book I'm sure I can contact the owners and have them link to her home page."

That's great news! Try to be persuasive. If it looks like its failing, offer them a link back within an article on your blog section when its ready. Recipricol links aren't what they used to be but they are certainly better than no links.

I will explain more on Skype. I should be available for the next few hours at least.

Look forwards to seeing you there!

[Operatic]

Argh yes, content.  I have been bugging her to write an about page and I have been the lazy one getting a WP blog going that matches well with the static site.

She is very active on her facebook page, so I see no reason why the blog wouldnt be quickly filled as well.

Thanks for the insight!

[GeorgeAndrews]

Being active on the Facebook page will help her shared new content on her site as it gets further developed. She can link to her blog posts once it is up and running and soon people will be bookmarking and linking to her blog versus solely following her on Facebook.

Good luck with the site, it looks like a great opportunity for building SEO experience!