Niche bloggers have taken a severe blow from recent Google updates, with minimal signs of recovery. For those whose primary income stems from Google display ads, 2024 has proven to be particularly harsh.

Across platforms like Facebook, Reddit, and more, the lamentation over the decimation of traffic caused by Google updates echoes loudly. Countless blogs spanning diverse niches have witnessed staggering drops, some up to 90%, with little hope for improvement.

How did we reach this juncture? It began with the September 2023 Helpful Content Update (HCU), followed by the March 2024 Core Update, which introduced an evolved HCU classifier embedded within other core algorithm adjustments, alongside a concurrent spam update.

The September 2023 HCU aimed to impact sites featuring identified unhelpful content, deploying a classifier at the site-level, leading to plummeting rankings and visibility.

Typically, recoveries necessitate significant alterations to site structure, content, user experience, and overall quality, enabling the removal of the site-wide classifier, thus facilitating a resurgence.

Data suggested that sites affected by prior HCU updates shared common issues, rectification of which should have facilitated recoveries in 2024 upon reassessment of the classifier.

However, with the introduction of the March core update, the previous HCU classifier had evolved, with Google retiring the original algorithm and replacing it with multiple systems. These systems were engineered to further evaluate the “quality and helpfulness of site content” within core update calculations.

Regrettably, rather than witnessing recoveries for sites impacted by the preceding September HCU negative classifier, we’ve observed continued deterioration of existing sites, with tens of thousands of new sites facing similar consequences.

The decline in traffic translates to a loss in ad revenue, proving devastating for content creators whose niche blogs serve as their family’s primary income source.

Throughout 2024, I’ve received countless emails from bloggers in dire circumstances, grappling with the loss of their livelihoods due to these updates.

The prevailing question remains: “Is there hope for recovery, or is it time to throw in the towel?”

This article aims to offer alternatives while awaiting Google’s resolution of these issues. Many SEO experts, myself included, assert that Google is “broken,” with the latest update being overly broad and aggressive, failing to enhance search quality for the majority of queries.

While a potential rollback is hoped for, I present these strategies to redirect your efforts in 2024, fostering new traffic sources and sustaining your blog as a viable income stream for you and your family, regardless of Google’s trajectory.

 

Strategy 1: Embrace Your Zone of Genius

 

Popularized by author Gay Hendricks in his 2009 book “The Big Leap,” the concept of the zone of genius suggests that each individual possesses unique strengths pivotal for achieving enduring success in their endeavors. Other tasks should ideally be delegated to capable third parties or professionals.

Bloggers often find themselves juggling multiple roles, which can lead to burnout, distraction, and unmet expectations. To counteract this, it’s crucial for bloggers to identify their strengths, prioritize those areas, and relinquish control in others.

For instance, personally, I find accounting to be a challenge, so I entrust my finances to professionals. Similarly, I recognize that email marketing isn’t my forte, thus, I defer to experts in that field when needed. Instead, my expertise lies in site auditing and conducting live training sessions on effective SEO practices, which I dedicate the majority of my time to each week.

An effective method to assess individual strengths and pinpoint one’s zone of genius is by using a worksheet that categorizes competencies. Here’s a free Zone of Genius worksheet available for download. Taking it a step further, assigning a dollar value to tasks can provide clarity. Consider how much you’d be willing to pay to delegate tasks that don’t align with your strengths.

For instance, if your time is valued at $199 per hour, and a task that takes you eight hours could be completed by someone else in half the time at half the cost, it becomes a worthwhile investment.

Understanding your zone of genius is essential for content creators seeking to expand their blog’s reach. By allocating time and resources efficiently to tasks aligned with their strengths, bloggers can propel their niche blogging endeavors forward effectively.

 

 

Strategy 2: Focus on Social and Non-Google Traffic Channels

 

For many bloggers, Google often reigns as the primary traffic source. However, the downside is evident when Google’s algorithmic shifts lead to drastic declines in traffic and revenue, making diversification of traffic sources a prudent business move.

In 2024, prioritizing alternative traffic sources is essential for the average blogger. Here are a few viable options to consider:

1. Microsoft Bing: Submitting your site to Bing Webmaster Tools, setting up a sitemap, and leveraging IndexNow for real-time indexing can bolster your presence on this platform. For WordPress users, these features are typically integrated into plugins like Yoast, RankMath, and AIO.
2. Pinterest: Despite being the 15th most popular social media platform, Pinterest boasts significant potential for driving blog traffic, especially when optimized effectively. Investing in quality Pinterest courses or professional assistance can yield substantial returns.
3. Facebook: As the third most-visited website globally, overlooking Facebook can be detrimental for bloggers. Understanding the Facebook algorithm and crafting a tailored content marketing strategy can help capitalize on this platform’s vast user base.
4. Instagram: Targeting the 18 to 34 demographic? Instagram remains a top choice for marketing efforts. Mastering the platform’s algorithm and optimizing features like Stories and Reels can enhance engagement and attract younger audiences to your blog.
5. Reddit: Recent Google updates have boosted Reddit’s visibility, making it a promising avenue for bloggers. With the introduction of Reddit Pro BETA, bloggers can access additional tools for strategic content contributions and engagement.
6. YouTube: With an expansive user base and substantial ad reach, YouTube presents a lucrative opportunity for blog owners. Understanding the platform’s algorithm and optimizing channels can drive significant traffic and engagement.

While Google may seem like the dominant force, allocating time and resources to these alternative channels can yield substantial returns with comparatively less effort. Diversifying your traffic sources not only safeguards against algorithmic fluctuations but also opens doors to new audiences and opportunities for growth.

 

Strategy 3: Cultivate Your Email List

 

Despite being often overlooked, email lists are among the most valuable assets for bloggers as they represent a direct line of communication with your audience—one that you genuinely own. While building a quality email list requires time and effort, the subscribers gained tend to be devoted fans who engage over the long term.

A robust email list not only drives steady traffic but also boasts impressive conversion rates, with Litmus research indicating a potential $36 return for every $1 invested in email marketing.

Beyond increased traffic, email lists offer a myriad of benefits, including:

1. Building brand identity and awareness.
2. Facilitating sales and downloads.
3. Amplifying engagement on other channels by directing followers to social media platforms, reviews, and more.
4. Gathering valuable insights into your audience’s preferences and behaviors.

In my experience, bloggers often find success by initially building their list using a provider like Mailerlite, which allows for the growth of up to 1,000 subscribers before incurring costs.

Once you’ve chosen your provider, consider investing in a comprehensive self-taught email marketing course to master the intricacies of email marketing, including setting up effective funnels and triggers. This investment can yield significant dividends in maximizing the potential of your email list to drive traffic, engagement, and conversions.

 

Strategy 4: Invest in an SEO or Technical Audit

 

Despite Google’s assertion that there’s no quick fix for sites impacted by core or other major updates, adopting a passive approach is seldom advisable in the world of SEO.

Google offers site owners some guidance for self-diagnosis through the “Core updates and your website” help page. Emphasizing the importance of content quality, reliability, and user-centricity, Google encourages creators to thoroughly evaluate their content.

While these self-assessment questions can be helpful, they often fall short in giving comprehensive insights into why Google may have penalized a site.

In such cases, engaging a professional for an SEO or technical audit becomes imperative.

A thorough audit conducted by an experienced SEO specialist can uncover numerous issues that may adversely affect a site’s standing with Google.

Having conducted many audits myself, I can attest that site penalties rarely stem from a single factor but often result from a combination of issues spanning content quality, site structure, E-A-T considerations, and more.

Before throwing in the towel, it’s prudent to seek another opinion from a qualified professional. Investing in an audit can shed light on underlying issues and make the way for informed strategies to improve your site’s performance in search engine rankings.

 

Strategy 5: Cultivate Your Personal Brand

 

In the realm of online success, the perceived value you offer holds immense importance. Particularly for niche creators, the intertwining of personal identity with their blogs is often significant.

A robust and well-established personal brand can serve as a powerful catalyst for online success. Consider the case of a blogger specializing in gluten-free recipes, who may garner greater trust from their audience if they have personal experience with Celiac disease and possess relevant professional certifications.

However, building such a brand requires deliberate investment and effort.

Begin by conducting a good assessment of your strengths and weaknesses. What sets you apart? How does this uniqueness manifest in your blog and content? Are your credentials, experiences, and achievements clearly showcased on your blog or About Me page?

Next, craft these strengths into a cohesive brand identity that permeates all facets of your online presence—from your owned media channels to social interactions. How do you want others to perceive you?

As Jeff Bezos famously remarked, “Your brand is what other people say about you when you are not in the room.” Shape the narrative you want associated with your brand.

Finally, actively promote your brand messaging across various platforms. Engage in helpful interactions within communities, organize mastermind sessions, and leverage both owned media (your social accounts) and earned media (podcasts, interviews) to amplify your message.

Ultimately, the objective of any content creator should be to exude excellence in every endeavor, to the extent that search engines like Google would be remiss not to prominently feature you and your blog in relevant searches.

 

Endurance Matters: Keep Running Your Blogging Race

 

Every website encounters stumbling blocks—a Google update, a setback—that halts progress. But hitting pause on your blog isn’t the solution.

Failure often lays the groundwork for eventual success. It illuminates effective strategies, highlights pitfalls, and underscores the importance of persistence.

For bloggers reeling from recent Google updates, the landscape may seem bleak, but there’s hope. Explore alternative traffic-building avenues while awaiting shifts in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Embrace these strategies and heed one crucial reminder: run your own race. Comparisons steal joy. Focus on what’s best for you and your blog, disregarding external pressures. In doing so, the only true misstep is failing to try.

Wishing you the best on your journey. And if you’re still feeling overwhelmed, consider exploring our monthly SEO packages for expert guidance.