Recovering your rankings from a Google Core update can be stressful, but any business can bounce back with the right action plan. Some websites will have found themselves on the wrong end of the latest internet shuffle due to several factors, including site design, layout, or content issues.
In this guide, Perfect Afternoon will provide you with an SEO action plan to start your recovery using tried-and-tested methods based on the latest information shared by Google.
How To Recover SEO Rankings: Data Gathering
Learning the why behind a recent drop in traffic, organic clicks, and keyword rankings starts with studying your data. Going from the top 5 in Google search results to the top 20 or 50 can be jarring and lead to much lost traffic and opportunities.
The best place to start your comeback strategy is by reviewing the information you have stored in Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and other third-party tools. What pages have seen the most significant drops in traffic? What were your top sources before the Google Core Update? What keywords, terms, and phrases have seen the most significant drops?
Answer these questions by reviewing your free Google accounts, mentioned above, and determining which drops have impacted you the most. An example is a long-tail phrase or product name attached to one of your most popular blogs has seen reverses and is no longer bringing the online crowds.
By identifying the keyword(s) and doing your own research, you can find out where your blog posts or landing pages now rank through manual searches or third-party tools. If it’s no longer in the top 5, it might be time to update that page with new information, images, or PDFs.
Tools For the Job
Access to data is essential, so your first priority should be to ensure that all the basic accounts are set up. Your list should include the following:
- Google Analytics 4
- Google Search Console
- Yoast SEO
- Bing Webmaster Tools
- Google Business Profile
Between these five tools, you will have enough internal data to understand where you have been most impacted and determine if any quick page updates can help reverse what has happened.
How To Recover SEO Rankings: Keyword Research
Once you’ve reviewed your analytics and identified where traffic dropped, the next step is to re-examine your keyword strategy. Ranking shifts during a Google Core Update often reveal that your content no longer matches what Google believes is the most relevant answer. That’s where keyword research tools come in.
Platforms like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and Google Trends can show you where you’ve lost visibility and new opportunities await. For example, SEMrush and Ahrefs provide in-depth ranking reports highlighting terms you once owned but now lag on. These platforms also help you spot emerging variations and related keywords that competitors are ranking for, giving you a roadmap to adjust your content strategy.
Google Trends, on the other hand, reveals how search interest for certain terms rises and falls over time. This insight is invaluable when deciding whether to double down on an established phrase or pivot to a new variation gaining momentum. When you combine this data with the information already in your Google Search Console, you can better understand how searcher behavior has shifted since the update.
Another piece of the recovery puzzle is backlinks. Tools like SEMrush and Ahrefs track which websites link to your pages and how your backlink profile compares to competitors’. A sudden drop in quality backlinks can be one reason rankings slip.
Reviewing Content for SEO Optimization
Once you know which keywords have shifted, the next step is to revisit the content. Google Core Updates often reward fresh, relevant content directly aligned with search intent. That means blogs and landing pages need regular optimization. This also fits in with Google’s preference for older content; updating what you already have will serve better in search results.
Start by weaving in updated keyword research and subject data. Use the insights alongside your internal data from Google Analytics and Search Console. This helps identify the terms real visitors use today and the pages where you’ve lost ground. Refresh headings, meta descriptions, and body copy to reflect these keywords naturally, ensuring the content reads smoothly.
Beyond keywords, look for ways to improve depth and value. Add new statistics, examples, or visuals that make the content more authoritative. Rewrite or replace outdated sections, and expand thin pages with richer information that answers a broader range of user questions.
Equally important is auditing your content for E-E-A-T: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Google weighs these signals heavily, especially after core updates. Content that demonstrates first-hand knowledge, cites credible sources, and carries an authoritative voice is more likely to regain or maintain strong rankings. Adding author bios, updating bylines, and linking to reputable references reinforces trust.
Addressing Technical SEO Issues
Even the best content can’t recover rankings if technical issues hold your site back. Core updates often magnify problems with speed, structure, and usability, so auditing your technical SEO is essential.
Start with schema and structured data. Accurate markup helps Google understand your content and increases visibility through rich results. Implementing the right schema can boost click-through rates on product pages and FAQs.
Next, review site speed and layout. A slow, clunky website frustrates users and signals poor quality to search engines. Optimize images, streamline code, and ensure your hosting plan is strong enough to handle traffic.
Finally, check mobile responsiveness and navigation. A clean, intuitive layout keeps visitors engaged longer and reduces bounce rates.
Building Back To Avoid Issues In the Future
Updating your site can always lead to issues, but staying updated with the latest trends gives you a better chance of avoiding problems that might occur. Looking for more information on best SEO practices? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help improve your site’s future!
