Your Google rankings are steadily rising, and suddenly BAM! You are knocked down. So what happened?
Ranking fluctuations refer to the shifting of websites’ rankings on search engine results pages (SERPs). Ranking volatility is common and expected during the start of any search engine optimization campaign, particularly on the bottom half of the first page. However, just because your website appears in the top half of the first page does not guarantee that it will stay there for long.
Fluctuations are less common in the top half of the first page because such websites have previously shown themselves to search engines, like Google, as reliable results. So, regardless of where your healthcare website ranks on SERPs, fluctuations are natural and cannot be avoided.
Why Do Rankings Fluctuate?
SEO specialists who monitor their website’s search engine rating on a regular basis would not be surprised to see it shift from position one to seven. SERPs change based on visitors’ search criteria and intent. Some days, the ranking will remain in the same position while moving on to others.
To maintain your website’s ranks, we will first investigate the elements that cause fluctuations in search engine results:
- Search Engine Penalties: There are several reasons for search engine penalties, both on and off-page. For example, you might be punished for low-quality material, user-generated spam, irrelevant content, spammy links, or employing any black hat SEO techniques.
- Search Engine Algorithm Updates: This is one of the most common reasons of variations in website rankings. It might be a new algorithm, an update to an old algorithm, or a refresh of an existing algorithm. Any changes to the search engine’s algorithm may cause rankings to vary for a few weeks following the implementation. Although less disruptive than they formerly were, severe ranking changes may nevertheless occur when Google releases a large algorithm update. While fluctuations are an important element of Google’s algorithm, it doesn’t mean you have to be surprised every time it adjusts.
- Inbound Links: Hyperlinking tactics might result in considerable ranking swings. If you are attempting to execute outreach tactics to direct traffic to certain sites, an unexpected rush of links might cause a surge in ranking. The absence of connections to your medical practice website might also result in a decline. However, if missing links cause a ranking loss, it will normally be minor.
- Technical Changes: Any modifications to the website, such as redirects, redesigns, or HTTP/HTTPS migrations, might create crawl issues. You may also see a drop in ranks if you use sophisticated coding that slows down your website’s performance. This occurs because crawlers have limited access to your website. Furthermore, certain web hosting providers may need to provide more uptime. A website that is frequently offline may send a signal to search engines indicating that it is not reliable.
- Competitors: The competition in the healthcare SEO field is fierce, and no matter how modern your methods are, your competitors might still outperform you. The greatest thing you can do is concentrate on establishing successful SEO methods. This ensures that your total rating remains stable, even if some of your websites lose place.
How To Reduce SEO Ranking Fluctuations?
- Site Audit
A website audit allows you to examine your site’s performance based on all of the aspects that influence its visibility in search engines. You can rapidly identify areas where you are making mistakes and making necessary improvements.
Google Search Console, Google Analytics, PageSpeed Insights, Seobility, and other technical SEO auditing tools will assist you assess your website to identify potential causes of keyword decrease.
Specifically, Google Search Console displays how specific site pages perform over time. In addition, PageSpeed Insights diagnoses performance issues and offers insights into your site’s accessibility, SEO, and best practices optimization.
- Build High-Quality Backlinks
Building high-quality backlinks allows you to improve your SEO rankings. When generating backlinks, prioritize those from relevant and reliable domains. You may accomplish this by writing a guest article on a respectable website, responding to HARO questions, and participating in social media groups. However, avoid creating low-quality or spammy backlinks, as they might result in penalties.
- Competitor Analysis
Competitive analysis allows you to see how your competitors are outperforming you on SERPs. If you are ranking on the first page for a given keyword but then drop to the second page for a lengthy period of time, you must be doing something incorrect.
Study the top five sites ranking on the first page for that keyword and construct a checklist by answering the following questions:
– Which websites do they connect to?
– Does their material contain more images than yours?
– Are they addressing any queries that you didn’t ask?
– Which keywords do they target that you don’t? and more.
Answer these questions, and you’ll receive a list of steps to follow on your website.
However, manually studying your competition might be a frustrating experience. Alternatively, you may utilize an SEO tool like Google Rank Check, which monitors your keywords on SERPs and displays your genuine competition and what they do to outrank your site. This method is more efficient, reduces stress, and saves time.
- Keep Up With Google Algorithm Updates
Algorithm adjustments are frequent, and a smart SEO specialist should keep up with them. Monitoring and monitoring updates is an effective approach to track keyword and traffic fluctuations. This activity will assist you in determining the extent to which an algorithm upgrade affected your website.
Keeping up with upgrades also guarantees that your website consistently complies to Google’s ranking variables and requirements. This allows you to optimize your site in accordance with current best practices.
- Updated Content
Google prefers new and up-to-date information versus old or stale ones. Updating material indicates to search engines that your website is relevant and active.
Furthermore, keywords change, with new keywords appearing over time. Updating website content can assist you in identifying and targeting these keywords, resulting in increased traffic to your site.
Most significantly, upgrading your content can enhance your page’s CTR and dwell time, which can alter the direction of your keywords’ decrease.
What’s Next?
Keep track of your keywords!
Keyword tracking not only helps you uncover keyword ranking fluctuations, but it also checks the effectiveness of your SEO improvements.
You can achieve greater outcomes by using a keyword rank-tracking tool. These programs track your keywords on search engine result pages (SERPs) and send updates on any changes. Furthermore, these technologies are vital for content optimization and competitive analysis.
Google Rank Check
Google Rank Check is a search rank tracker that generates keyword ranking data. This program generates realistic daily performance data for your keyword activity on SERPs. In addition, the program evaluates your competition and suggests tactics to outrank them.
Is Ranking Fluctuation A Serious Problem?
If you find ranks dropping drastically in a short period of time, there is most certainly a serious issue. For example, if you were rated in the top three but the website suddenly plummeted 20 or 50 pages, you should investigate right once. Google may have detected anything malicious and downgraded your links within days.
So, the next time your website’s rankings vary, don’t panic–and don’t allow the adjustments to scare you. Concentrate on your content marketing and technical SEO methods. Review and adjust your plan for strategies to continuously boost your web page rankings over the long run.
FAQs
1. What Causes SEO Ranking Fluctuations and How Common Are They?
SEO ranking variations can be caused by a variety of causes, including algorithm upgrades, changes in rivals’ methods, website modifications, and changes in user behavior. While some swings are normal and expected, others may be more noticeable, especially after big algorithm modifications or major changes to a website.
2. What Strategies Can I Implement to Minimize SEO Ranking Fluctuations Over Time?
To reduce SEO ranking swings, prioritize maintaining high-quality content, improving technical parts of your website, creating strong backlinks, and staying current on industry trends and algorithm upgrades. Regularly evaluating your website’s performance and altering techniques as needed may also assist keep rankings stable over time.
3. How Long Does it Typically Take for SEO Ranking Fluctuations to Stabilize After Implementing Changes?
The time it takes for SEO ranking fluctuations to normalize varies according on the kind and scope of the adjustments implemented. Minor tweaks may result in immediate stability, however substantial upgrades or algorithm shifts may take weeks or even months for rankings to settle and stable.
