I see this fairy often, an SEO who is out of options, a webmaster who doesn't know what else to try, a business owner out of money - their once thriving web site - no longer makes any sales. Why? They did great on Google for years, Google pushed out one of their many Google updates and they were hit. After months or even years of trying to fix it by removing links, adding content, cleaning up code, relaunching a new design and trying rich snippets - nothing has helped and they have no where else to turn.
Many don't bother and just shut down, some make threats but some throw a Hail Mary and hope for the best.
For example, a Google Webmaster Help thread has one webmaster pleading, begging and putting it all on the table explaining how his business, his livelihood, will all be gone if things in Google don't change. He wrote:
ATT: Matt Cutts I would like to know why my website is nowhere to be found for key search words such as Pull Up Banners, Display Banners and a few more. Our business doubled at the start to the middle of 2012 and I employed extra staff members to cope with the new demand. Our website was on the from page of Google and our small business was going NORTH. Soon after, around July Google took our website off and our business took a turn South. I've now had to let 2 staff members go and my business is about to close. I have followed your tips and looked at most of your videos and articles. I've also look at other sites for advice.
The subject of the post: "To Matt Cutts - Business about to close due to SEO"
I hate seeing posts like this, it makes me so so sad. But I don't honestly know how Googlers deal with seeing things like this. I know, they want the best for the searcher, but to see things like this day in and day out - it must be heart breaking.
Would Matt Cutts respond? 99% of the time, he does not. Will it matter if he does respond? Probably not, outside of maybe giving the webmaster and business owner some hope.
Forum discussion at Google Webmaster Help.
Image credit to BigStockPhoto for begging man
