I have lost count of how many comments and emails I have received regarding the current serp listings. The basic gist is best explained by posting an email from one of my readers - Phil - who describes his concern pretty succinctly. I have include my response to him as well...
Griz,
"Hello my name is Phil (removed) and first I would like to thank you for what you do! The knowledge I have picked up from your make money blog has taken me from someone that is sifting through envelope stuffing crap websites to being listed on the first page of Google with multiple blogs using Blogger since January. I'm one of your readers that is silent never posting on your blog or emailing you because I know you are so busy. Unfortunately, I have no other choice but to email you and ask a question since I am at a loss as to what is going on. Lately you have discussed on your blog about the SERP's being fluid and volatile and I have to confirm what you have said about this is true.
I've had a blog on the first page of Google under my targeted keyword since early February never lower than the 5th position on the first page. I place new articles (fresh, original content) on the blog about as much as you update your make money blog and almost overnight I am finding myself on the sixth page of Google for the past three days. My question for you is, have you come to any conclusion as to what is going on with Google and do you have any opinion as to what Google's requirement is now? This blog is not a huge moneymaker but it does make money from Adsesne daily and this has now gone to almost zero except for long tailed keywords that are a natural derivative of my main keyword. Any help or direction you could provide would be greatly appreciated.
I have taken your advice early on and stayed away from the make money niche or SEO niche and concentrated all my efforts in niches outside these arenas and concentrated my efforts on products and services that are not associated with these two. The only thing that I can think of that may have caused me to fall from the first page is I used duplicate content for a couple of recent articles to post news releases that were relevant to my niche. If you have any idea, please let me know when you have time."
Sincerely,
Phil