132 - Hit by a Google Update?

Has your website been hit by a Google update? In this episode, Gert breaks down the steps to diagnose, analyze, and recover from ranking drops. Learn how to distinguish between update impacts and other factors, understand the nuances of core updates, and discover the long-term strategies for bouncing back. Don't miss these crucial insights for navigating the ever-changing SEO landscape!

Podcast Highlights:

00:37 SEOLeverage Podcast Intro

00:47 Episode overview and reminder about show notes at SEOLeverage.com/podcast

01:43 Analyzing the cause of ranking drops

02:34 Importance of thorough analysis to identify affected pages and keywords

03:26 How Google core updates work and their impact on search results

05:27 Helpful Content Update: Its impact and recovery process

06:00 What steps to do when hit by a Google update

06:49 Call to action: Reaching out to SEOLeverage for assistance with Google update recovery

Connect with Gert Mellak:

Website: https://seoleverage.com/

Email: [email protected]

Hit by a Google Update?

When a Google update hits a website, this typically implies that some classifier within Google's algorithm has been applied to it, thus impacting its ranking. Gert Mellak explained that recovering from this will not be fast and not easy; it will require much effort and time, and it may require waiting for future updates. Understand what is happening with your site; finally, have a long-term strategy for recovery.

If your website has been hit by one of these Google updates, do not worry—you are not alone. In this episode, Gert gives an in-depth breakdown of the steps involved in analyzing and recovering from these sudden drops in rankings.

Why Your Website is Losing Rankings

When your website starts losing rankings, the first step is to analyze the potential causes. It’s not always due to a Google update—technical issues on your site or changes in Google's search preferences could be to blame.

For example, Google might be testing different types of content, like favoring shorter articles over longer ones or vice versa. The key is to determine whether the ranking drop affects the entire site or just specific pages or types of content.

Sometimes, a few high-performing pages are responsible for most of your traffic, and a drop in these pages can significantly impact your overall rankings. To address this, conduct a thorough analysis to identify which pages and keywords are affected. Determine if you’ve lost all page-one rankings or if only certain topics or content types are no longer performing well. 

Understanding the factors of the drop is essential for recovery.

How Google Core Updates Work

When evaluating ranking drops, it's important to consider recent Google updates, especially core updates. Gert explains that Google collects various signals over a few months and then applies this information to its algorithm. This process can lead to changes in search rankings, especially on the first page.

Google uses these signals—such as user experience improvements or content changes—to reassess how websites should rank. For instance, user experience enhancements might take weeks or even months to positively affect rankings, often not until the next core update. On the other hand, content-related adjustments can show results within days or weeks, while backlink-related signals may take a couple of months to have an effect.

It's best to understand the context of your website, your competitors, and the broader landscape. For example, with the rise of AI and generative answers in search, Google’s evolving use of these technologies can impact rankings.

Steps to Take After Being Hit by the Helpful Content Update

Even high-quality content sites have been affected by updates like helpful content update, making it essential to stay informed and adapt accordingly.

Addressing this issue can be challenging and typically requires time, effort, and possibly several algorithm updates before the situation improves. The key is to understand what's going on with your website. You might need to conduct tests to see if rankings can be restored through on-page adjustments or link-building efforts while also considering your long-term strategy.

If you notice a drop in rankings due to a Google update, the first step is to gather all relevant information. It's crucial to consult with an experienced SEO professional you trust.

At SEOLeverage, we can analyze your website to determine whether we can assist you or guide you toward the next logical step. It's essential to avoid blindly following generic best practices. Instead, ensure that an expert who truly understands SEO evaluates your situation and recommends the appropriate short-term, mid-term, and long-term strategies. And that is us!

Parting Thoughts

Google frequently updates the algorithm to provide better search results and improved experiences for its users. These frequent changes may most probably prove very impactful on website visibility. If a website's rankings drop off after an update, this is frequently referred to as being "hit" by the update.

If you're having trouble with a Google update, don't hesitate to contact us. We'll quickly assess the situation, outline the steps we can take, and discuss potential recovery options. Act swiftly to address the issue!