Uncovering a sudden decline in your SEO rankings can be alarming. However, there’s a wealth of strategies available to help you bounce back. This article outlines actionable steps to address an SEO rankings drop, examines common reasons for such a decline, and delves into effective solutions. With extensive experience in crafting and executing impactful SEO strategies, WebFX has been recognized as the world’s leading SEO agency by Clutch. Discover more about our services or get in touch to learn how we can assist you.
To pinpoint the cause of your ranking dip, consider the following questions.
1. Have You Made Recent Changes?
Recent alterations to pages experiencing a ranking decrease may be the culprit. Structural changes, server migrations, or other significant modifications can adversely affect your rankings. Without proper 301 redirects, your Google rankings might plummet. These redirects notify Google of your page’s new address and instruct it to index the new page instead of the old one, preventing duplicate content penalties. Ensure that any necessary 301 redirects are accompanied by updated XML sitemaps, links, and canonical tags. Even smaller changes, such as adding numerous videos or images, can slow down your page, prompting users to leave before it loads, potentially leading to lower rankings. Utilize Google’s Page Speed Insights tool to check page speed and receive recommendations for improvement.
2. Were There Errors or Accidental Changes?
If you haven’t made any intentional changes, the issue may stem from accidental modifications or technical errors. For instance, someone may have inadvertently deleted text or misformatted your robots.txt file, causing Google to fail to index certain pages. Revert any accidental changes, and your rankings should recover. Additionally, check for errors in your server logs that might temporarily render your site unavailable or cause other issues, potentially affecting your rankings. In such cases, you may need to switch to a new service provider or hosting package.
3. Did You Lose Links?
Backlinks are crucial ranking factors, so a significant loss could lead to a dramatic drop in rankings. Use tools like Ahrefs or Majestic to review lost links reports, which will show you how many links a site gained and lost over a specific period. Determine the cause of any lost links and address them accordingly. For example, if a linking site removed your link by mistake, they may be willing to replace it if you notify them. If a competitor replaced your link with a link to their own site, assess the competing site and consider how you can improve your page to regain the link.
4. Have Your Competitors Made Significant Changes?
A competitor’s changes could have propelled their site ahead of yours in the rankings. This issue typically affects only a few pages rather than your entire site. Analyze the improved search results to see what your competitors are doing differently and update your content to enhance its quality.
5. Did Google Issue a Manual Penalty?
If your rankings dropped suddenly, check for a manual penalty from Google. These penalties target sites that violate Google’s webmaster quality guidelines. Use the Manual Actions report in Google Search Console to identify the reason for the penalty, the affected pages, and steps to rectify the issue.
6. Did Google Update Its Algorithm?
Google regularly updates its algorithm, sometimes with major changes. Stay informed about these updates by following SEO news sources and connecting with SEO experts. Adjust your strategies to align with Google’s new criteria.
If your Google rankings dropped overnight, follow these steps:
1. Verify the Drop in Rankings
Ensure that the decrease is real and requires action by checking multiple tools, assessing the duration of the change, and considering external factors.
2. Determine the Cause
Identify the reason for the drop in rankings, whether it’s due to changes you made, changes Google made, or changes your competitors made.
3. Correct the Issues
Address the cause of the ranking drop by reverting changes, adjusting your strategy, or improving your page content.
4. Monitor Your Rankings for Improvements
Keep an eye on your rankings to ensure they improve over time. If they don’t, revisit the cause and take further action.
Recovering from an SEO rankings drop is a challenge, but understanding the cause and taking corrective action can help you regain your search engine position. If you require assistance, SEO.com offers a user-friendly DIY SEO tool designed to streamline website optimization and enhance search engine performance. Try it for free to gain insights into your SEO performance, monitor organic traffic, and analyze competitor websites.
