CRAZY Google Helpful Content Update Is Destroying Sites

 The latest Google algorithm update, dubbed the Helpful Content Update, has been wreaking havoc on websites since launching on September 13, 2023. Many site owners are seeing massive drops in traffic and rankings seemingly overnight.



The Update's Impact

While normally Google volatility detectors show high fluctuations during an update, many are still green and normal for this one. However, search results are proving extremely volatile.

Some sites have seen traffic decrease 50% or more directly after the August Core Update. One 5-year-old, stable site went from 1,000 clicks per day down to just 300.

Trying to Understand the Update

It's still early at only 7 days in. Last year's Helpful Content Update lasted 38 days, so we may only be beginning to see effects. Some posit Google could rollback changes if complaints continue mounting.

The update seems to reward big authority websites like Reddit, LinkedIn, and Quora, which have all seen exponential traffic increases. Their domain authority likely helps them weather and benefit from updates.

However, one case study site with artificial intelligence (AI) written content actually rose in rankings, defying the update's apparent preference for human-crafted expertise. The picture remains mixed.

Recommendations for Site Owners

  • Don't panic or make hasty changes. Traffic could rebound or continue falling. Ride out the volatility.
  • Limit how often you check analytics to avoid obsessive data-watching. Use tools like ColdTurkey to curb the urge.
  • Review competitors ranking above you and identify content/quality gaps to improve.
  • Focus on high-value keywords where you can provide useful expertise and advice.
  • Refresh thin, outdated content with richer information.
  • Add author bios and showcase credentials to build trust.

With thoughtful optimization for searchers, sites can recover and even improve despite the turbulence.playing the long-term game reduces the stress of large fluctuations.

Conclusion

The Helpful Content Update has indeed been damaging for many sites' rankings. However, Google's core mission is providing the most helpful results, so optimizing for that ideal can help weather this and future updates. With the proper fixes, recovery remains possible over time.

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