AdWords *free* vouchers hurt SEO?

[NinJaSkrtel]

Maybe it was the penguin, or maybe it was Panda, but around about the time of the three updates close together and the rumoured 'parked domain' update that went wrong, I used a free adwords voucher.

The site in question used to rank for practically every search term relevant to the niche.

Now, I can search back to 60 pages in Google results and nothing.

Now, I know its not been de-indexed, it still there when I search for info:TheDomainInQuestion.co.uk

It also has 6 site links when searching for the url alone.

Each and every page is hand written original content built up over many years and also edited and updated regularly.

On linkdetective, I have a very nice rainbow type graph regarding the type of links and also a very very good spread of anchors. 118 different phrases pointing in and aside from one site that linked to me sitewide (16000+ but since removed and now down to 3300 and dropping almost daily).

Even with that, the highest percentage of anchor text was 20%.

Basically, gone through practically everything that is available on the web about combating penguin and panda, yet the site kept dropping and has disappeared completely for keyword phrases.

Might sound a bit paranoid, but could Google have done this on purpose to try to make me carry on with adwords?

[Andropenis_Australia]

Interesting, have you checked out there backlink profile?

Can you find any others?

[NinJaSkrtel]

Google.co.uk - Search term: car insurance

2nd side AdWord - Churchill.com/car-insurance
Organic #2 - Churchill.com/car-insurance

3rd side adword - CompareTheMarket.com/car-insurance

5th Organic - As above

WhadDoIWin WadDoIWin!

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Having found that though, there are ALOT of companies on ADWORDS that used to be in the top 10 in organic.

[Andropenis_Australia]

"Might sound a bit paranoid, but could Google have done this on purpose to try to make me carry on with adwords?"
Shall we do some research in the name of paranoia.....let's see if anyone can find any high ranking organic sites, that also have adwords ads. Who's up for it?

[Michael-Goode]

Hi Jon,

If you want to use Google+ for your company, you first have to make a normal personal account (with or without a picture of your face, I just left mine blank) before you can make a business page.

Once your personal account is set-up you can create a business page (under Pages), which you can customize fully for your company (company logo etc.) Doing this won't get you penalized at all.

Best of luck.

[NinJaSkrtel]

So I'm paranoid

Just noticed in Google+ t&c's that you HAVE to use a picture of your face. I've used the company logo. Do you reckon they could penalise for that to such an extent?

EDIT: Going to change anyway to see if anything happens.

[CollinJarman]

Google vocally has a pretty strict policy about not mixing AdWords with organic results.  I doubt what you suggested is the case, else G could be in some serious trouble with the FTC.