Why was there a big drop in a lot of my rankings today

[TerryS999]

I just checked my campaign and ALL of my Google ranks have drop by 2-40 spots for the 10 keywords I track.  I know this is always a tough question to field, but what could cause should a drop across the board?  ...a penalty? ...a late Google April Fools joke?

[Keszi]

Hey Terry,

I would check the analytics if I was you, there has been two quite big updates in the last few days. Maybe you have been hit by one of them.

Gr.,

Istvan

[TerryS999]

Yes, I wondered if that were the case.  Been noticing a minor shift in a lot of my sites.

[Keszi]

Try to check the amount of traffic that came from the keywords in Google Analytics. If there has been a huge change near 19th the April then more than possible you have been hit by Google Panda 3.5 if it was near(after) 24th then it will be Google Penguin.

Btw: do not forget that these were the updates, but if you have done a major change on the site, then it can come from that too.

[TerryS999]

Yup, the drop started on the 24th.  Darn you Penguins!

[AlanMosley]

Is your site anything likes these examples,(Penguin) http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/another-step-to-reward-high-quality.html

Then fix it up and youy should see something of a return

[Keszi]

Seek out what could have caused it. And try to resolve it as soon as possible.

[TerryS999]

my site is http://thestockmarketwatch.com/  I'm sure I have some areas where some keywords repeat a lot, but nothing blatant.

[GeorgFranz]

Hi Terry,

you are not alone... we are also affected:

http://www.seomoz.org/q/lost-50-google-traffic-in-one-day-panic

Best wishes,

Georg.

[TerryS999]

Hi Georg,

I'm about to start making t-shirts, "Kill the Penguin"

Terry

[Keszi]

Instead I would invest in resolving the issue

[GeorgFranz]

I would buy one

[Keszi]

Careful, there might be people around from the Green Peace Organization

[TerryS999]

lol, good point.  : adds fine print 'no real penguin harmed while making this t-shirt' :

[Keszi]

Ok this way send one to Romania

[GeorgFranz]

Here is the penguin:

http://www.seo-stories.com/post/21985421183/google-called-the-25th-april-2012-ranking-update