On or about the 24th of September, Google started to roll out a major core algorithm update that has disrupted website rankings for both large and small websites. What happened, and what can be done?
First of all, you need to know that your rank can be restored by following the fixes listed in your Search Console. If you are not yet using Search Console, now is the time to sign up (it’s free).
If you invested in any Black Hat SEO practices like buying backlinks or 301 redirect spam, then you were likely to hit. In addition, sites that had lots of low-value backlinks were also hit pretty hard.
Likewise, if you run a Woo Commerce web store, you may be dealing with many errors and warnings. Google now requires schema for products for their rich snippets. They want to be able to offer an incentive to buy when they list your product in search, and that is why you need either a “Offers, Reviews, or Aggregate Rankings schema posted.
While we are talking Aggregate Ranking, Google has also cracked down on the use of Aggregate Ranking in the SERPs, and they have been pulled from sites that had been hosting their own reviews. However, if you are using Yelp or Google Maps reviews, your ratings should still be shown in the SERPs.
If you are in search of SEO services, website design or troubleshooting, Contact Me.
With a background in design for the music industry, I bring a fresh approach to corporate and construction-related web projects.
I also write short, easy-to-digest articles on SEO and website performance. My goal is to help clients better understand what it is SEOs do for them.
Michael Winchester is a website designer and search engine ranking specialist in Southern California.
Michael Winchester Design | (562)283-5688