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How Does an Algorithm Update Impact SEO?
When they take effect, Google updates web pages. A few changes last longer while others don’t. While speaking of the impact Google algorithm updates have on websites, an SEO expert observed that Google updates will always be harsh and soft on websites on equal measure.

“Google will continue to refine its algorithm. The updates will always be good to some webmasters while they will be bitter to others. Still, some sites belonging to webmasters that have been hit hard by the updates will resurface and start to rank,” said the SEO expert.

The same SEO expert went on to say that, not all Google updates affect organic metrics adversely. However, he observed that certain Google updates may affect how a site performs, and how it remains within a SERP. The latter will have an impact on many performance facets including traffic and ranking.

Here is the thing: before a major update, your site could be ranking for certain search queries. However, depending on the type of Google algorithm update and the complex formula, your site will not be ranking for those search queries for several days following the update.

Simply, different updates can bring different changes to your site’s overall performance as well as affect SEO.

It is also good to mention that over the years, Google seems to retain one main pattern – rewarding sites that have solid SEO practices. In other words, if you do not want to find yourself on the wrong side after a major Google update, continue to employ proper and genuine SEO practices.

With that in mind, here are two major signs that Google core updates affected your site:

1. Decreased Rankings

The search engine results pages (SERPs) are often the first thing to be hit. When you check on your site’s rankings (the keywords that have been ranking), you are likely to know whether the update affected your site negatively or positively.

Of course, if there is a decrease or even a disappearance of some of your ranking keywords, then you know that the update affected you negatively. google algorithm update mistakes rankbrain Before you conclude how the update affected your website, you might want to monitor your ranking for some time.

To check your rankings, you may want to use some of the basic or premium tools in the market, such as:

⇢ Google Search Console (GSC)
⇢ Google Search
⇢ Ahrefs

When checking on your rankings, do not look for a few isolated keywords. Do a wholesome check. Look for those keywords that were ranking before the major update and others that may have different intents.

Apart from main or targeted keywords, also check for related, secondary, or semantic keywords. If you do, chances are you will have a comprehensive analysis of how the recent update affected your site.

2. Decreased Traffic

In most cases, major Google updates affect website traffic. This is due to shaken other webpage elements such as ranking keywords and search queries. Of all the traffic, organic traffic is the one affected most.

It is also good to note that if some of your keywords were ranking, you are bound to lose some amount of traffic (the first 5 positions often claim approximately 68% of all webpage clicks). Google Analytics can help you check your site traffic.

To get the most out of Google Analytics, you may want to compare your site traffic year after year, month after month, and week after week. Besides, you may want to look at individual page traffic.

Other performance metrics such as bounce rate may also help in you getting the best picture of your site before and after the update. Afterward, you may now want to take your time to improve your site by omitting or adding some things as you may deem fit.

Alternatively, you may want to hire an SEO expert who will conduct an in-depth SEO audit on your site.
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