Does the use of dividers affect how search engines rate a hub?

1. 62

   Sinea Piesposted 12 years ago

   Just recently I started using dividers (via photo capsules) to neaten up the look of some of my hubs. Not too long after, my overall views plummeted. I recognize that others are dealing with a drop in views, as well, but I certainly don't want to do anything that might lower my opportunity for views even more.  My Weight Watchers related hubs have dropped off the radar on Google and one of them had been page 2 for a while.
   
   Any thoughts or suggestions on the dividers?  All advice is appreciated.

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   1. 78

      Greekgeekposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I think it's just the recent drop in traffic that impacted a lot of people, but there's something odd  I've learned about horizontal dividers: according to Tim Ash, a conversion optimization specialist who collects and analyzes a lot of eye-tracking and user behavior data, a certain percentage of readers tend to stop at each horizontal divider on a page, tripped up into thiniking it's the end of the page. So it's good to prime them to keep going after the break by mentioning what they'll find in the next section after it.
      
      That wouldn't explain a drop-off of traffic, though, as I doubt Google's algorithm would use horizontal dividers as a ranking factor. The only way it might have an impact is if a lot of people hit "back" very quickly after landing on your page, which Google could see. Even then, though, Google knows not all bounces = bad page, since people often compare and browse quickly when looking for something.
      
      It's frustrating. One thing I always try to keep in mind is that Google isn't ranking our content in a vacuum; at any time, someone ELSE could create a great new page or website on the topic, pushing ours down in search results. The only way to fight that problem is to keep making good content and building your own search traffic fishing net with an ever-expanding network of pages and good content.
      
      Fishing is a slooooooow way to make a living, when you have to keep creating every square inch of fishing net. But over time, you catch more and more fish, even if bits of the net get chewed through.

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      1. 62

         Sinea Piesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Interesting suggestion to tell people what is in the next section. I'll take a look at my hubs and find one to try it on.
         
         Thanks so much for the very thoughtful and thorough reply. I really appreciate the wisdom

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2. 72

   relacheposted 12 years ago

   What is your rationale for why these would negatively effect your views?
   
   Have you taken any out on Hubs that dropped to see if the views increase again?  That seems the best way to confirm or deny your theory...

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3. 84

   rebekahELLEposted 12 years ago

   I doubt if dividers would affect search traffic. As far as your Weight Watcher related hubs, that could be more of a Panda related drop since you're talking about a very recognizable, highly searched brand.

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4. 83

   Marcy Goodfleischposted 12 years ago

   Sinea - several people posted on various Forum threads recently that they've had a drop in traffic.  I had a serious drop that lasted about 2-3 days and now has recovered. I have no idea why that happened. I have used photo and video capsules both before and after, so I'm not sure that affected it.
   
   Maybe we had some glitches while the site was updating various things? Anyway, I do hope the downturn has reversed now!

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   1. 62

      Sinea Piesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Me too. Looking forward to it.

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5. 77

   sofsposted 12 years ago

   I have a few hubs with dividers and don't notice any change in traffic. I don't think they affect the traffic in anyway. It is must just be the Panda 3.3 effect.

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   1. 0

      kelleywardposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I've noticed a serious drop this week and I've spent most of the week trying to improve my hubs according to the suggestions I've read on Hubpages and on the web. I also added more capsules. I guess it's just the over all drop you are seeing.

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