SEOMoz ranking reports inaccurate for Google?

[farlandlee]

So I have notice that, at least for some searches, the rankings shown in SEOMoz's ranking reports are meaningless.  I assume this is due to blended search results including local search.  For example, I have a client, who is ranked 3rd overall for one of his most important search terms, but his ranking is based upon his local result (there are 2 organic search results and then he is the first local result).  The SEOMoz report shows him being ranked 12th.  Anyway I count down to the 12th ranked site (including local search, not including local search) his site is not there.  In fact the only place it is in the top 3 pages is in the local result.

As a local marketing consultant, almost all of my clients are looking to be found for "Jackson Hole" this or that, or "Jackson, WY" this or that, so this is a pretty critical issue to me.  I would appreciate feedback.

Thanks!

[Mr.Rangen]

There are so many variables now.

1. Data centers - Many different DC's showing different results. One could have had a new update/refresh pushed through, the others may not.

2. Increased activity in rankings (up & down daily)

3. User-error, especially when taking in geographic locations, personalized results and history.

Rank trackers have been through hell. You have the brand-related SERP pages with three less total listings as well.. just this last week.

Out of the thousands of keywords I watch daily, many will show substantially different rankings for WEEKS before I see it here. The good thing is, I look like genius since I have identified the pattern between data centers and, within reason, can predict our ranking change within a few days.

[farlandlee]

Hey Brent,

Thanks for the response.  I have a follow up question.  So are you saying that if seomoz is showing a ranking of 9th for a keyword term but when I, or my client, search that same keyword term it comes up 37th (with personalized results turned off) that it should show up as 9th in time?  For example, I have another client whose ranking for a search terms has been on the 4th page for 3 months, but seomoz has shown it bouncing between page 1 & 2 for that same time period.  If seomoz is right, I am going to be a hero, but if wrong, it looks like everything I have done for SEO for them has done nothing.

I noticed you said you can predict changes "within a few days" which would suggest that my 3 month scenario is likely to be caused by something else like user error.  Usually I see user error working the other the way though.  The client or I have clicked through to a website multiple times so it comes up higher in search results than it really is due to personalization.  But, in this case, the results are coming up substantially lower than seomoz is showing.

Thanks again!