Traffic Dropped, But My Keyword Rankings Are Holding: What to Do

Site owners often panic when they notice a sudden drop in traffic, especially if they are still ranking high for their main keywords. This article explores why this happens and emphasizes the importance of not overlooking the long tail SEO. We’ll also discuss practical steps to address and recover from long tail traffic losses.

Money Keywords vs. Total Keywords

Site owners often overlook the broader landscape of total keywords, fixating on a few “money” keywords. This section emphasizes the importance of considering the long tail SEO for a comprehensive strategy.

Comparison of Money Keywords and Total Keywords

Explore the significance of using tools like Ahrefs to analyze both money keywords and total keywords. Real-life examples highlight the potential consequences of focusing solely on main keywords.

How to Fix Long Tail Traffic Losses

Understand the factors contributing to long tail traffic losses, ranging from backlink profiles to industry competitiveness. Practical steps are outlined to address each issue and recover lost ground.

1. Unnatural or Poor Backlink Profile

Learn how algorithmic reassessment can impact a site’s backlink profile and discover the importance of monitoring and improving link quality.

2. Content Value and Industry Competitiveness

Explore the influence of content value and industry shifts on rankings. Stay competitive by consistently producing high-quality content.

3. Google Dance and Aging Websites

Understand the phenomenon of Google dance and its effects on older sites. Discover the importance of regular content updates to maintain positive rankings.

4. Regular Blog Updates for Long Tail Keywords

Recognize the significance of regular blog updates for long tail keywords. Consistent, high-quality updates are essential for long term SEO success.

5. Algorithmic Weight Adjustment

Learn how to adapt to algorithm updates by prioritizing factors like site speed. Optimization strategies are discussed to prevent sudden drops in rankings and traffic.

Identifying Potential Issues

Discover the importance of a comprehensive SEO audit in identifying potential issues affecting rankings. Common problems like HTTPS issues, malware, and spammy backlinks are explored.

Conclusion

Summarize the importance of a holistic SEO approach that considers both money keywords and long tail opportunities. Emphasize the role of regular monitoring, quality content updates, and SEO audits in recovering from long tail traffic losses.

This post was written by Kristian D’An. Kristian is the owner and SEO Specialist at Lux Digital Marketing, a Pinellas County Digital Marketing company. Kristian has been optimizing websites successfully for over 7 years. He has helped his clients achieve the #1 position on Google in several different industries.