Algorithm Updates

[BeckyKey]

Hi

I wanted to ask if anyone had any methods of checking whether you've been affected by a Google refresh? We saw a drop in visits back in July 2015 and I'm trying to pinpoint what from. I saw their was a refresh, but this only affected 2-3% of sites.

I wasn't working on the site back then so I'm not fully aware of what was happening

Thankyou

[TheZenAgency]

If you have access to the analytics i would recommend the panguin tool

Very useful for comparing traffic against Google algo changes

[EGOL]

A lot of people talk about their "visits" going up and down.   It can be difficult to tell exactly what Google did, if they did anything to alter the number of visits that you receive.

Google can change their ranking algorithm and that will raise or lower your position in the SERPs.  That will influence "visits".  You can monitor your rankings using Moz tools, or SEMrush or many other services.

Google can also change the format of the SERPs by including more ads above the organic SERPs, including shopping results, including image results, changing the local pack.  These can influence "visits" with no change in rankings.  And, the amount that format changes can influence your "visits" is far greater than a change in your rankings - especially if you are ranking on the first page of the SERPs.

"Visits" and "rankings" can both be changed when your competitor's site or your site is moving up or down in the SERPs because they are stronger, more popular, or the opposite.  This type of change is normal.  I take positions away from my competitors all of the time.  Google didn't do anything to them but their rankings and visits were changed because I am working to take turf in their niche.

So, anytime people are talking about a change in "visits" or "traffic" you can't know what Google has done or even if Google has done anything.  To figure out what's happening here, you gotta go out and snoop the SERPs.

Half of the chatter on forums about "updates" is done by people who are watching traffic, and not considering SERP format or competitor actions/inactions.

[BeckyKey]

Hi

Do you monitor your SERPs manually? I can't go back now but this is something I can do moving forward.

Thanks

[EGOL]

I use SEMrush and check it every day.

It allows me to make projects (keyword categories).  Each project folder can contain all of the important keywords for that category.  This is really nice because I work on lots of projects and I can group those keywords together.

It also saves a history of the ranking for each keyword over time.

It also allows me to watch competitors and compare their rankings and rankings changes side-by-side with my own.  I know which competitor is moving up or down the SERPs before they know they are moving.

[BeckyKey]

Ah yes, I am setting SEM Rush up this week so I can get started.

Your tips on using this are really helpful

[EGOL]

Yesterday and today visits to a couple of my sites are taking a small decline.  But, it is not my rankings.  It is being caused universities in North America being off for semester break or taking final exams.

[EGOL]

Great to hear you are setting up SEMrush.  I hope you like it.

I check it every morning and when I see green on my projects it gives me energy to work all day.  SEMrush isn't cheap but the energy that I get back from it powers me to a lot of money.

[BeckyKey]

Great thank you. I'll use the tips you have given me to try and work through projects.