Have recent fluctuations in Google rankings left you feeling disheartened and confused? Google’s ranking system can be a complex puzzle, where what you expect (A) might not be the sole reason, but rather a combination of factors (B and more) coming into play. Sometimes, even less obvious factors can be at work, leading to unexpected outcomes. However, fear not, as we’re here to help you unravel the mystery and find out what might be disrupting your website’s equilibrium.
Surprisingly, the root of the issue might lie with the tracking tool itself, a scenario more common than you’d imagine. So, before rushing to implement corrective measures, consider cross-referencing data from different tools over several days to ensure accuracy and avoid hasty actions.
Keep an eye on the latest news regarding any significant algorithm updates in recent times. Fluctuations, drops, or sudden spikes in rankings could be attributed to these updates. In such cases, it’s often best to exercise patience, allowing the update to fully roll out before reevaluating your strategy.
Reflect on any major changes your website has undergone recently. Have you transitioned from HTTP to HTTPS? Has your site experienced unexpected downtime, content deletions, or bulk updates?
Scrutinize your Search Console statistics to confirm whether your site has incurred any penalties, either manual or algorithmic. Frequent fluctuations in rankings can sometimes be a result of unnoticed penalties. If penalized, take immediate steps to rectify the situation.
Consider whether the keywords you’re targeting are highly competitive. If they are, it’s possible that the ranking fluctuations are affecting multiple websites vying for the same competitive keywords. In such cases, consider refining your keyword strategy to target less competitive variations.
Ask yourself if your SEO practices adhere to Google’s guidelines. Engaging in Black Hat SEO tactics, such as content or link farms or illicit link spamming, can lead to ranking woes.
It’s also conceivable that a competitor may have employed Black Hat SEO tactics against you to gain an unfair advantage. Various strategies can be used to compromise your Google rankings, making it essential to conduct a comprehensive link audit.
If, after diligently exploring the above steps, you still can’t pinpoint the cause of recent fluctuations, it may be time to acknowledge that your content or strategy lacks relevance or engagement. In such cases, a strategic overhaul may be necessary to regain stability and momentum in your SEO efforts.
But in case it is one of the above reasons then you can follow this post from us for an elaborative ranking-correction action plan.
