AltaVista Databases

[ihelpyou]

Has anyone else noticed that AV seems to be rotating between 3 different databases? Every 2-3 weeks they will switch and show completely different results. For awhile my sites are in the top ten, next on page 5, then next, completely out! After this, the circle begins again.

Any thoughts?

[Advisor]

Does it really matter? Do you actually even get any traffic from AV these days?

I don't personally check rankings that often to notice things like that, but I have always felt that AV rotated their algorithms fairly frequently. Probably not every few weeks though. Used to be more like every few months. I think it's a smart idea though. Keeps all those idiots who have the need to remain in the top 10 every single minute of the day, on their toes "tweaking" their pages. Hehehehe...what a waste of time!

Jill

[ihelpyou]

LOL. Get referrals when on the first page. But, you're right, nothing compared to Google. Tweak pages? naw, never tweak anything.

There is a definite rotation though, and not sure why? Wonder if the "paid" pages are all in one database? Strange birds, for sure.

[markymark]

I think AV have done this regularly in the past. There was an interview I read about a year ago with one of the AV bods that said so, but I thought it had all changed. I guess not.

[MazY]

I can't remember where I read it yesterday but it was mentioned that AV has plans to shut-up shop in around six months. Most of the big people have already left apparently.

Not sure how true it is but I know that it doesn't even feature on my "to submit to" list any more.

[Advisor]

Are you sure that what you read wasn't in reference to AV's International sites? There was some big news on that last week. Of course, with you being in the UK, this might possibly mean your version of AV...I'm not sure as I didn't really read the article that closely because it didn't seem to affect me.

Jill

[MazY]

I really can't remember - I must stop reading so much in a day!

Seems little point when my powers of recall are so dire!

Now, what was your question again? :D

[JuniorHarris]

WebWhiz could be correct, seems as if I remember reading about AV's International sites. I believe the plan was to consolidate the international databases as well as the physical [international] operations. No big surprise really, since AV's UK submission page has not worked properly in months...and the traffic has been dismal at best. Tough to imagine AV being able to return to its glory days gone by...just having an active spider is not enough, as consistent relevant results are the key to building [back] the traffic and respect they once held.