Today we are seeing fluctuations and changes in ranking and traffic for many websites. This suggests that yet another Google algorithm update has dropped.
Also, industry forum chatter is escalating, indicating significant fluctuations across several industries.
Here is what the SEO professionals over on the WebmasterWorld.com forums are saying about the latest update:
No..USA traffic levels have never been worse.
My sites carry content that is of interest to millions of first and second-generation immigrants to the US and Canada from a certain part of the world, as well as those who did not migrate. Feels like whatever geotargeting they’re doing in SERPs, Discover and News has decided that the content isn’t relevant to those users in the US. Similiar (and clearly subpar) content from US sites (or sites that cover other US-centric topics) are being shown instead.
I have huge problems buyer traffic has been reduced again but I am paying the same.
Singularity does not work
@redBar USA traffic was better today…it’s 9pm and I am -11% compared to the last four Tuesdays (already much lower since mid-March). The 2pm pattern was in full effect today…at 2pm sharp traffic dropped 75% and stayed almost nil for four hours until 6pm. I am seeing this happening mostly on weekdays. @renatoviera has also seen the 2pm drop pattern.
We’re also seeing major drops across the board with slow recoveries. Mostly non-US sites. US-based clients have stayed the course.
This is a new one on me….did a search this morning (fairly generic, something I am personally looking for information on in the DIY niche)…..the top result….was…..a forum? And the question wasn’t answered there….it’s from 2014.
I am 31% down from last year. It appears news sites are taking my keywords and other smaller spammy sites, dropping my traffic by 10% every month. Not good considering I am the niche site for the last 15 years – that is much more informative information for the reader and a better user experience.
This is ridiculous…starting my day with -70% USA traffic and it’s already 10:30am. Google is determined to destroy all of our businesses!
Because of this: [theguardian.com…]
Corona likely significantly increased the need to do the above, hence the May 2020 and December 2020 updates.
Since they can’t really determine what’s accurate and what isn’t, “authority” – seemingly in the form of root domain authority (NOT the Moz metric) – seems to be the only way to at least prevent potentially inaccurate and sketchy content from ranking.
Yes, this unavoidably means there will be a lot of collateral damage, but Google may believe this is preferred to potentially having school shooting and vaccine conspiracy and misinformation sites ranking (that would generate massive negative press for G).
It’s what we got and once you understand the above you will realise why this will never be rolled back.
Again We Ask, “What’s Going on, Google?”
With yet another unconfirmed update mid-week, Google is poised to be awarded our crown for ‘search engine with the most random algorithm updates’ (although, they have held that title for a while now).
These are unusual updates to be sure, but we will continue to keep you informed on all potential developments!
