Proflowers “Florist” Searches & Influencing Results

According to Google’s Traffic Estimator, the number of searches for the term “Florist” average around 1,247 to 1,558 a day or about 45,000 searches a month. Hence, ranking in the top 3 spots for this particular search phrase is very important. So important, in fact, that the likelihood of a major order gatherer stepping outside of Google’s rules and guidelines in an effort to manipulate the search results is very real.

Since I’ve observed in the past that Proflowers likes to rank using risky SEO tactics on certain high-level keywords, I thought I would take a little peek at how they are currently ranking for the term “florist.” Over the years I’ve noticed that Proflowers seems not to be too concerned about Google’s warning about manipulating their search algorithm so I’m sure they are not concerned with me talking about it here.

As is common knowledge, ranking in Google’s algorithm is largely based on a complex link-voting system. Those who are aware of how this works will often times get caught up in gathering *too many* link-votes artificially. Google’s position on this is that if you gather link-votes artificially you risk being removed from their index.    

So with that as our back drop, I thought I’d look at the top 40 supporting link-votes to get a better grasp of the situation. My opinion on whether or not the link-vote is real will be label “paid” or “real” in the right column below. Keep in mind that I’m only giving my opinion on the most recent top 40 link-votes for their validity while there are many hundreds in actuality.

Go ahead and click through some of the links and tell me what you think. There seems to be three methods of link-vote buying going on. While not too many of the top 40 are real which I find interesting. 

1	http://www.essentialgardenguide.com/	florist flowers	Paid
2	http://www.backyardgardener.com/rose/index.html	Florists	Paid
3	http://playinginthedirt.ca/?paged=2	florist	Paid
4	http://www.premiumtaste.com/Wine/Covered_Strawberry_Ros.....	?	?
5	http://encarta.msn.com/florists.html	florist	Real
6	http://www.mahalo.com/Online_Florists	ProFlowers	Real
7	http://directory4flower.com/roses.html	online florist	Paid
8	http://www.nichewatch.com/florist.html	www.proflowers.com	Real
9	http://computersandjunk.com/Blog-89.html	florist	?
10	http://www.directory4flower.com/bulbs.html	online florist	Paid
11	http://www.directory4flower.com/gifts.html	online florist	Paid
12	http://www.proinvestortrader.com/?m=200710	florists	Paid
13	http://www.directory4flower.com/wreaths.html	online florist	Paid
14	http://www.redenvelop.com/	Premium Collection	Real
15	http://www.directory4flower.com/orchids.html	online florist	Paid
16	http://www.myaffairs.com/TopSites_Floral.htm	ProFlowers: Your dependable online florist	Real
17	http://www.directory4flower.com/services.html	online florist	Paid
18	http://www.directory4flower.com/tropical.html	online florist	Paid
19	http://www.directory4flower.com/gardening.html	online florist	Paid
20	http://www.directory4flower.com/fresh-cut.html	online florist	Paid
21	http://dagboek.thesserie.com/crazy-about-flowers/	florist	Paid
22	http://www.directory4flower.com/fresh-flowers.html	online florist	Paid
23	http://www.directory4flower.com/dried-flowers.html	online florist	Paid
24	http://www.directory4flower.com/flower-nursery.html	online florist	Paid
25	http://www.proflower.com/	Premium Collection	Real
26	http://hoboken411.com/?p=116&akst_action=share-this	Florists	Paid
27	http://www.directory4flower.com/pressed-flowers.html	online florist	Paid
28	http://www.directory4flower.com/birthday-flower.html	online florist	Paid
29	http://www.directory4flower.com/flower-essences.html	online florist	Paid
30	http://www.directory4flower.com/flowering-plants.html	online florist	Paid
31	http://www.directory4flower.com/christmas-flower.html	online florist	Paid
32	http://www.directory4flower.com/wholesale-flowers.html	online florist	Paid
33	http://www.directory4flower.com/theme-arrangements.html	online florist	Paid
34	http://www.directory4flower.com/flower-garden-tool.html	online florist	Paid
35	http://www.directory4flower.com/father-s-day-flower.html	online florist	Paid
36	http://newsnet.byu.edu/specialsections.cfm	Premium Collection	Real
37	http://www.directory4flower.com/mother-s-day-flower.html	online florist	Paid
38	http://www.directory4flower.com/preservation-services.html	online florist	Paid
39	http://www.directory4flower.com/florist-search-engines.html	online florist	Paid
40	http://pinktwilight.uni.cc/madly-in-love-savor-the-passion/	florist	Paid