Finding Gains and Drops in Keywords Ranking Following Google Algorithm Update
There’s no denying that Google keeps updating its search algorithm tens of hundreds of times in a year. While minor updates can be overlooked, major ones can fluctuate website’s rankings in the search results. It, however, depends on how websites tackle it. Some websites adapt to the changes whereas other websites have a major impact on the SEO content.
Before we begin, have you ever thought ‘Why Google keeps updating its algorithm?’
The main purpose of Google algorithm updates is to help users find what they are looking for. In order to give them a hassle-free experience, Google keeps updating its algorithms randomly. Every update determines the search results that show up on Google.
Impact of Google algorithm updates: A larger picture
If we see a larger picture, no amount of research can ever predict Google’s next algorithm update. It is something people specialized in this field, have been trying to do for years but have constantly failed. The algorithms change at a blink of an eye, without giving users any hint, which results in losing keywords. It’s like waking up and seeing your months of hard work go in vain. Your hard-earned Google rankings get affected and you are pressed into doing all the adjustments again.
What determines Google ranking prior to Algorithm update?
The website’s E.A.T. score determines its ranking on Google prior to every algorithm update. E.A.T. score that denotes expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness plays a very important role in Google ranking when an update is rolled out.
Reasons why an algorithm update might affect your website
- Low quality content
- Plagiarized content
- Too much of advertising
What all can the updates change
Apart from causing evident changes in Google rankings, Algorithm updates can also affect other aspects. These include:
· Organic search traffic
· Visibility on Google search pages
· EaRevenue
· Return of Investment (ROI)
· Conversions
How to find keywords you ranked or lost after a Google algorithm update?
Keeping an eye on keywords you ranked or lost prior to an algorithm update is very important as it determines the entire Google ranking and visibility of the page.
Why should you track keywords?
- It increases online visibility
- It keeps a track on competitors
- It monitors rank drops during an algorithm update
- It increases earnings
Recommended Read: Google December 2020 Core Update Is Promising
Tools that help in finding keywords you lost after an update:
There are several paid and unpaid tools that might help in tracking the keywords. Some of them include:
Ø Google Search Console
Google Search Console tools help in measuring a website’s search traffic as well as its performance. It also helps in fixing errors.
Ø Google Analytics
Google Analytics helps to track a lot of things, including social networking sites and applications. Above all it measures the website’s advertising ROI.
After a Google update, you need to check pages with the highest gains or drops by logging in to Google Analytics.
- Head to behavior and open site content in Google Analytics
- Then select the All Pages report and open Organic Traffic
- Select the time that might have affected your website’s traffic after the Algorithm update
Ø Semrush
Semrush is a one-stop solution to a lot of problems. From discovering market insights, to improving the website’s visibility, Semrush offers a range of tools. Its tools also help in PPC, SEO, Keyword Research, Public Relations, SMM, Content Marketing, Campaign Management, etc.
To know what keywords are driving the sudden gains or drops in traffic, you can use Semrush.
- Head to Semrush Dashboard
- Open your website
- Select Organic Research> Positions
- Open the advanced filters and set
Ø Moz
Moz helps in getting a clear picture of keywords ranking with its search visibility score. Using the tool after an algorithm update will not only help in finding out the lost or ranked keywords but will also track how the keywords are performing.
Ø Ahrefs
Ahrefs rank tracker helps in grouping keywords as you would want to see. It sorts the keywords as per the performance.
