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Google Update? October 20, 2024
Hello,
One of my clients experienced a ranking drop starting on October 20th, with 85% of their keywords decreasing in position. Here are the specifics:
- Keywords that were in the top 5 have now fallen to positions 7-10.
- Around 10-20% of the keywords have shifted to the 2nd or 3rd page and continue to fluctuate daily.
- Interestingly, 15% of the keywords have improved in ranking, suggesting that this isn’t an issue affecting the entire site.
Store Overview:
The site in question is an apparel eCommerce store with approximately 40,000-50,000 organic visitors to its category pages (excluding brand and blog sections). Since October 20th, traffic has decreased by around 20-25%.
Concerns:
- Is there any news about a Google update? There’s been no official announcement, but is anyone else noticing similar trends?
- What are the potential reasons for 85% of keywords trending downward? Could this be related to the domain?
- We haven’t made any significant changes to the store, so we’re struggling to find a connection.
- The site’s primary keywords have been stable for 6-7 years, and the domain holds authority in the niche.
- Interestingly, the client also operates regional stores (UK/AU, etc.) with the same infrastructure, which have not been affected. This issue is isolated to the USA.
Any insights or similar experiences would be appreciated!
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2 responses to “Analyzing Google’s October 2024 Update and Its Impact on Your Online Strategy”
Addressing the Google Update Concerns
Based on the information provided, it seems there might have been a Google algorithm update around the 20th of October 2024 that affected your client’s ranking and traffic. While Google frequently adjusts its algorithm, not every change is publicly announced immediately. Here are some steps and considerations to explore further:
1. Checking for Google Updates
While there was no official announcement, it’s not uncommon for Google to roll out updates unannounced. To check if others are experiencing similar issues, consider:
2. Understanding Possible Reasons for Ranking Drops
Several factors might contribute to a sudden drop in rankings:
3. Connection Between Actions and Changes
You mentioned no changes have been made recently. However, consider:
4. Domain and Niche Authority Concerns
You mentioned the domain has authority, yet the drop could be due to other factors:
It’s concerning to hear about the ranking drop your client is experiencing, especially since it seems so drastic and specific to the USA market.
Based on your observations, it might be helpful to consider a few areas for further investigation:
1. **Algorithm Shifts**: While there might not be an official announcement regarding an update, Google’s smaller tweaks often don’t get publicized. Keeping an eye on these changes can sometimes reveal shifts that impact ranking dynamics. Resources like Moz’s update tracker or SEO community forums can be invaluable for this.
2. **Competitive Landscape**: Has there been an increase in the number of competitors targeting those same keywords? A more saturated market can drive down rankings without necessarily reflecting poorly on one’s own site. Analyzing SERP features and reviewing new competitors can provide insights.
3. **Content Review**: Even if no significant changes have been made recently, consider whether the content across the site might need refreshing or optimizing. User intent can evolve, and reviewing the top performers in your niche could point to content gaps.
4. **Technical SEO**: It may also be beneficial to run a comprehensive technical audit. Loading speed, mobile-friendliness, or even subtle fluctuations in structured data could impact performance. Tools like Google Search Console or SEMrush can spotlight issues.
5. **Regional Differences**: Since your client’s regional stores remain unaffected, it’s also important to examine any local search algorithms or trends that might differ significantly. This might involve looking into local competitor analysis or