logo
logo

Get in touch

Awesome Image Awesome Image

Share This Post

Unveiling Search's AI Revolution: A Look Back At Google I/O 2024 Google Rankings

Reclaiming Your Google Rankings: An 8-Step Strategy by Bullzeye Media

No matter how frequently you work on your website or how solid your SEO strategy is, there will inevitably come a time when you’ll experience fluctuations in your site’s performance. And sometimes, it might feel like a worst-case scenario — a sudden and dramatic drop in Google rankings.

I’ve been there myself. I’ve watched my website go from comfortably sitting at #1 for key search terms to suddenly being pushed off the first page of results overnight.

This situation can certainly be overwhelming, especially if you rely on organic traffic for business growth. A drop in rankings typically means fewer visitors, fewer leads, and, ultimately, a decline in conversions. However, it’s important to understand that this isn’t the end of your SEO journey. With the right steps, you can not only recover from these setbacks but come back stronger and more resilient.

At Bullzeye Media, we’ve developed an 8-step strategy that has consistently proven effective in diagnosing the problem, correcting it, and ultimately regaining lost rankings. Let’s walk through each step to help you navigate through this challenge.

Understanding Why Keyword Rankings Drop

Before we dive into the solution, it’s crucial to understand why keyword rankings drop in the first place. SEO is a complex and ever-changing field. You’re not only trying to meet Google’s criteria for ranking, but you’re also competing with the ongoing flow of content created by your competitors. Even the most experienced SEOs can see their rankings slip due to one or more of the following factors:

  1. Search Algorithm Updates: Google updates its algorithm frequently to improve the quality and relevance of search results. These changes can sometimes lead to shifts in rankings, particularly if your site hasn’t adapted to the update.
  2. Competitive Landscape: SEO is an ongoing battle. Your competitors are constantly working to improve their websites and create new, high-quality content. If they outperform your efforts, their rankings might increase while yours might drop.
  3. User Behavior & Trends: Seasonal changes, shifting user behavior, and trending topics can all affect keyword popularity. Google’s algorithms adapt to these changes, which may cause fluctuations in rankings for certain keywords.
  4. Website Modifications: Any changes you make to your website, like adding new content, updating backlinks, or changing the site structure, can affect your rankings. Even minor adjustments might cause temporary ranking drops.
  5. Technical Issues: Problems such as broken links, slow page load times, mobile responsiveness issues, or redundant coding can significantly impact rankings. If Google can’t crawl or index your pages correctly, it can affect where you appear in search results.
  6. Geographical Factors: Search results can vary based on a user’s location. Rankings for a specific keyword may fluctuate depending on the searcher’s region, which can affect the perceived stability of your rankings.

Understanding these factors will help you navigate your next steps toward recovering your rankings.

Step 1: Acknowledging the Drop

The first thing to do when you notice a ranking drop is to avoid panic. It’s normal for rankings to fluctuate slightly over time due to algorithm changes or minor site adjustments. If your rankings have only dropped by one or two spots, it might not require immediate action.

However, if your rankings have dropped five or more spots — or worse, have disappeared from the first page entirely — it’s time to investigate. Use SEO tracking tools such as Google Search Console, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to monitor keyword performance. These tools will help you identify trends and give you a clearer picture of what’s happening with your rankings.

Once you’ve confirmed the drop, it’s time to take action.

Step 2: Identifying Webmaster Guidelines Violations

Google’s Webmaster Guidelines outline best practices that help search engines find, index, and rank your website. Violating these guidelines can result in ranking penalties or removal from search results altogether.

Start by conducting a self-audit of your site. Check for any issues related to Google’s content, technical, and quality guidelines. Look for common violations like:

  • Duplicate Content: Pages with identical or very similar content can confuse search engines, leading to penalties.
  • Overuse of Keywords: Keyword stuffing or using unnatural keyword variations can make your content look spammy to Google.
  • Poor Quality Content: Low-quality, unoriginal, or irrelevant content can negatively impact your rankings.

Google Search Console is an excellent tool for identifying potential violations, such as crawl errors or manual actions. If you find any issues, work to resolve them as quickly as possible to prevent further ranking drops.

Step 3: Checking for Algorithm Updates

Google frequently updates its algorithms to refine how it ranks content. These updates can range from minor changes that go unnoticed to more significant overhauls that can dramatically affect rankings.

If you’ve seen a sudden drop in rankings, check if it coincides with a known algorithm update. For example, Google rolled out the Helpful Content Update in September 2023 and the Core Update in November 2023, both of which affected ranking factors.

Stay informed by following SEO news platforms like Search Engine Journal and Search Engine Roundtable, or use SEMrush’s Sensor to monitor algorithm fluctuations. Additionally, Google’s official channels, including the Google Search Central Blog, often provide insights into major updates.

Step 4: Audit Your Backlinks

Backlinks are one of the most important ranking factors for Google. When other reputable sites link to yours, it signals to Google that your site is credible and valuable.

Check your backlink profile using tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush. If you notice any lost or toxic backlinks, it could be a contributing factor to your ranking drop. Focus on recovering lost backlinks by reaching out to website owners or replacing them with new, high-quality links.

Step 5: Rebuilding or Replacing Lost Backlinks

Once you’ve identified lost backlinks, particularly those from high-authority sites, it’s important to try and recover them. Here’s how:

  • Contact Website Owners: Reach out to the website owners if the backlink was removed unintentionally. Politely request that they reinstate the link.
  • Fix Broken Links: If a backlink was lost because the destination page was moved or deleted, implement 301 redirects to the new URL.
  • Create High-Quality Content: If you’re unable to recover lost backlinks, focus on attracting new ones by creating top-tier content. Guest blogging and offering unique resources are great ways to earn backlinks.

Regularly monitoring your backlink profile is essential to ensuring that your site maintains its authority in Google’s eyes.

Step 6: Conduct a Website Audit

A thorough website audit is a crucial step in recovering from a ranking drop. Use tools like Google Search Console, SEMrush, or Screaming Frog to conduct a comprehensive review of your site’s technical health.

Focus on the following areas:

  • Page Load Speed: Slow pages can lead to high bounce rates, which negatively affect rankings.
  • Mobile Optimization: Since Google uses mobile-first indexing, it’s vital that your site is mobile-friendly.
  • Technical Issues: Check for broken links, faulty redirects, or crawl issues that could prevent Google from indexing your pages.

Step 7: Cleaning Up Your Content

Content is king in SEO. Regularly audit and update your content to ensure it’s still relevant, accurate, and high-quality. Here’s how to clean up your content:

  • Update Old Content: Refresh outdated posts with new information or insights.
  • Eliminate Thin Content: Enhance or merge pages with minimal value. Google rewards comprehensive, in-depth content.
  • Improve Content Quality: Focus on creating content that answers users’ questions and provides real value.

Optimizing existing content can help restore its value and boost rankings.

Step 8: Look for Manual Penalties

If you suspect a manual penalty is behind your ranking drop, check Google Search Console for notifications under the “Manual Actions” section. Common penalties include unnatural links or thin content.

If you find a penalty, take corrective actions, such as removing spammy links or improving content quality. After addressing the issue, submit a reconsideration request to Google.

Key Takeaway

A drop in your SEO keyword rankings doesn’t have to be a permanent setback. By following the steps outlined above, you can recover your rankings, improve your site’s overall SEO health, and prepare for future algorithm changes.

At Bullzeye Media, we understand the intricacies of SEO and can help you implement these strategies to regain and improve your rankings. Stay patient and consistent, and your site will bounce back stronger than ever.

More To Explore

Social Media Marketing Services in New Jersey
Our Blog

Best Social Media Marketing Services in New Jersey

Social Media Marketing Services in New Jersey, we are a New Jersey-based social media marketing agency. We handle everything for clients, including crafting custom strategies

Call Now EMAIL US