5 Causes Of Google Ranking Drops And How To Fix Them

SEO Expert in Ahmedabad

Before you hastily attempt to restore your rankings, it’s vital to grasp the potential reasons behind a drop in your Google ranking. A significant plunge in your Google ranking can be triggered by various factors.

These include alterations in your content, updates to Google’s algorithms, technical SEO problems, enhancements made by your competitors, changes in the layout of search engine results pages (SERPs), and even penalties imposed by Google.

While some issues can be quickly recognized and resolved, others might demand the expertise of a technical SEO specialist from the top SEO Expert in Ahmedabad who deliver higher ranking results.

Now, let’s delve into the usual triggers for ranking declines:

  1. Google Manual Action Penalty – Understanding and Fixing It

If your website experiences a sudden and significant drop in its Google SEO ranking, you may be facing a Google manual action penalty. These penalties are issued by human reviewers at Google when they find that your website violates their webmaster quality guidelines.

5 Causes Of Google Ranking Drops And How To FixCommon causes of Google penalties include user-generated spam, hacking incidents, unnatural backlinks, thin content, and cloaking. Each type of manual action is explained by Google, helping you understand why your website was penalized.

 What is the fix?

Start by logging in to your Google Search Console account and navigate to the “Security and Manual Actions” section. If your site has been penalized manually, you will receive a notification in your account.

Google may not provide extensive details, but it will give you some guidance on where to look for the problem. The key to resolving the issue is identifying what caused the penalty in the first place.

  1. Google Algorithm Update

 Google frequently introduces both significant and minor adjustments to its search ranking algorithm. These updates are designed to enhance the algorithm’s performance and deliver the best possible search results for users. 

But these alterations can significantly impact your website’s ranking. Top SEO Services in Ahmedabad vigilantly track these Google updates as they can have direct consequences for their client’s businesses.

It’s important to note that decreases in rankings following core updates could be indicative of the quality and relevance of your website.

What is the fix?

If you suspect that a recent algorithm update has influenced your rankings, begin by checking reputable search engine news sources. Google often confirms such updates, and this information is disseminated through SEO news platforms. 

To stay well-informed, you can keep a close watch on comprehensive Google update histories available at MOZ Google Algorithm Update History. 

Pro Tips

  • Remember, these updates might also be specific to certain niches, affecting only a limited number of websites.
  • Once you’ve confirmed an update from reliable sources, you’ll gain insights into the nature of the update and the necessary actions to take for recovery.
  • Vigilance is key. Monitor changes in the Search Engine Results Page (SERP) for keywords relevant to your niche. Use a rank-tracking tool to identify sudden shifts and emerging trends. While rankings naturally fluctuate, persistent declines in specific keywords should raise concern.
  1. Your Website Has Been Blacklisted

Is Your Website Blacklisted? If you’ve noticed a sudden decline in organic traffic, it’s possible that your website has been blacklisted or hacked.

Google prioritizes user safety, so it routinely scans websites for malware. If your site is compromised, Google may suspend it from search results or label it as deceptive, depending on the extent of the infection.

 What is the fix?

To fix the issue, you need to promptly scan your website for malware and eliminate it permanently. This action will help restore your site’s reputation and regain visibility on search engines.

  1. Lost Backlinks

Backlinks play a crucial role in boosting organic traffic and improving a website’s SEO rankings. Losing valuable backlinks can have a significant negative impact on a site’s position in the Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).

If you have recently removed a large number of backlinks from your website, search engines like Google may interpret it as a signal of low-quality content, leading to a drop in rankings.

Pro Tips

  • Monitor Backlinks: Utilize backlink checker tools to keep track of your backlinks. These tools will notify you if any backlinks are lost, allowing you to take timely action.
  • Restore Lost Backlinks: When you receive alerts about lost backlinks, reach out to the linking websites. Engage with them to understand why the links were removed and try to get them restored.
  • Acquiring new backlinks is also essential, but be cautious of low-quality links. Low-quality links can affect your SERP performance and may even lead to the loss of the high-quality backlinks you already have.

What is the fix?

Backlink Analysis:

Regularly use a backlink checker tool to identify any lost or potentially harmful links.

Seek Expert Help:

Collaborate with a technical SEO specialist who can guide you through the process of rebuilding and managing your backlinks effectively.

  1. Mobile-first Indexing

 Is your website optimized for mobile users? With the majority of web traffic now coming from mobile devices, search engines focus on mobile-friendly sites. Notably, Google has adopted a mobile-first index, giving preference to mobile-friendly websites. 

If your website isn’t optimized for smaller screens, it will experience a significant drop in rankings and eventually become invisible on search engine results pages (SERPs).

Several factors may cause your mobile version to be non-mobile-friendly, including slow loading speeds, incompatible plugins, large and poorly formatted images, and unwieldy content that doesn’t display well on mobile devices.

What is the fix?

Analyze Your Traffic:

Utilize Google Analytics to filter your traffic by device, helping you identify if your SEO rankings drop is related to mobile-friendliness.

Optimize Loading Speed:

Use the Google Page Speed Insights tool to check your website’s loading speed on mobile phones. Implement changes based on the tool’s recommendations to enhance user experience.

Address Mobile Usability:

Leverage the “Mobile Usability” feature in Google Search Console to identify any mobile-related problems. Follow the recommendations provided by Google to resolve each issue.

Conclusion 

In the dynamic realm of online presence, Google ranking drops can be perplexing. However, fear not! By addressing these culprits head-on, you can soar back up the search ladder. Revamp your content relevance, spruce up site speed, mend broken links, embrace mobile-friendliness, and nurture your backlink garden. Remember, your digital success journey is fueled by resilience and the right tools. 

So why wait? Unlock Top Rankings Again with Digital 45: Your Trusted SEO Services in Ahmedabad for Resolving Google Ranking Drops!”