Google Pandemic Update - I'm Feeling Like a Covidiot!

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Well, my most mature website is going down in flames! Most every page has taken a hit. And these are pages that have once ranked on page one of Google searches in my keyword niches for years.

This latest May 4th, 2020 update (May the Fourth be with you!) is supposed to continue to be released for up to two weeks beyond its release date. I can't help but think that to release an update that is destroying major websites traffic was a poor choice in this economic crisis.

So, what can you or I do? Well, some experts are still referring back to the August 2019 update suggests:

It seems older websites are the ones that are taking the hit. Some newer players have seen an increase in traffic since the May 4 update.

It appears the new algorithms are looking around your chosen keywords, not just the specific keyword itself. I took one of my two word keywords for a page now ranking on page nine and searched around that keyword with related topics to it. I found another related page from my website ranking on page four.

The Google webmaster website continues to restate its past Core Update recommendations when it comes to SEO and content.

    One recommendation I did uncover was not to make drastic changes at this point. Also be sure there are no website health issues. Mine, up until recently, had a sitespeed problem for mobile users. Those issues have been fixed.

    I will keep working at this and share what I find as I try to uncover what it is about my mature website that has sent it sinking into the depths of diminished page rankings and traffic.

    But right now I'm feeling like a helpless Covidiot!

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    Recent Comments

    15

    Great one. Thanks for sharing.
    Sham

    I love it! Covidiot! Good one! Just as Kyle has stated many times, don't take a site hit personally. Keep doing what you should be doing and that is, creating so much great content that it gets Google's attention. Sounds like you're in a place where you have a firm grasp on things. You'll be fine. I've been through it A LOT over the years. At first, I was pulling my hair out. Now that it's all gone, I had no choice but to settle down and do the things that were necessary and nothing more. Whew! The hair didn't come back but my sanity inched its way back.

    Thanks for sharing Tom!

    Thanks for this information. Looks like I need to work extra hard.

    My sites have taken a hit too, especially the newer one of nearly 10 months old. Despite the work I've put into it, it took a massive drop to just 4 organic visitors in a day, even impressions took a big hit.

    So it's not just older websites.

    What really infuriates me is that I'm seeing Medium, Reddit, YouTube, Tumblr content ranking in place of my blog content on page 1. Some of those platforms have shockingingly thin content that shouldn't be on page 1. But then Google punishes the ones who work hard instead. Where's the logic in that?

    Maybe those posts will return, may be they won't. But sometimes it feels like Google has it in for us WordPress users lol.

    I remember the last big Google update lasted for MONTHS and our traffic took a right hammering.

    But Kyle said keep doing what we're doing - putting the peddle to the metal with quality content creation.

    But one things for certain, I'm no longer putting my eggs in one basket with Google anymore. They have no consideration at all (especially during times like these with financial struggles and BIG opportunities to build something online).

    Thanks for sharing Neil! Here's hoping we all bounce back!

    No problem, Howard!

    Things usually bounce back, but it's becoming a common theme now.

    I agree 100%

    Unfortunately, too many companies have gotten too big for their boots just lately: Google, Facebook & Amazon, etc.

    They need to realise they are NOTHING without bloggers/affiliate marketers/paid advertisers.

    So some respect and consideration wouldn't go amiss for a change.

    Very true, Neil! In effect, they are biting the very hands that feed them!

    Enjoy your weekend!

    Jeff

    Sorry, you are experiencing this. Always a good idea to revamp old articles to make it current and work on it. You're not the only one who is dealing with it. Some sites are taking off. Their secret lies in choosing keywords wisely not only that but making their site healthy like you mentioned. Keep working on it.

    Yes, but it is so disheartening when things that once ranked for years don't anymore.

    No harm done. Kyle said if you revamp your site, it will come back up again. Its just the way it is with Google. Even Jay has to revamp a lot of his old articles. His site still up there. What ranked years ago has now changed with all these new updates. SEO has greatly improved so your site will need to be worked on. Everyone of us have to deal with it in order to keep up with the times regardless of what's happening in the world. Focus on what you can. I do understand but you gotta move forward. Focus on that instead.

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