Every website owner experiences a nerve-wracking moment: logging into your analytics and noticing a sudden, unexplained drop in traffic. The first question that comes to mind is always, “What went wrong?”
Often, the reason behind this drop is a Google algorithm update that operates quietly in the background. While these updates can lead to significant changes in rankings, it’s crucial to remember that traffic fluctuations can also result from other factors such as seasonal trends or technical issues with your site.
Keeping up with these algorithm changes can feel overwhelming, but neglecting them could result in losing valuable rankings and visitors.
At CanadaCreate, we have created a simple process to track these updates directly from the WordPress dashboard. This guide will provide you with the exact strategies we use to monitor Google’s changes, ensuring you can safeguard your traffic and remain competitive.
Why Is Monitoring Google Algorithm Updates Essential?
Google algorithm updates refer to the modifications made by Google regarding how it ranks websites. These updates can influence which sites appear on the first page of search engine results when users search for specific topics.
Monitoring Google algorithm changes is crucial because they directly affect how easily users can discover your WordPress website.
If your website fails to comply with Google’s standards, it risks losing its search engine rankings for important keywords. This can result in decreased visibility for your web pages when users search for topics related to your brand.
Reduced visibility can lead to a decline in clicks, organic search traffic, and potential conversions.
By keeping an eye on Google’s significant updates, you can quickly identify any changes that may have affected your site’s rankings, ensuring that your website remains competitive and visible to your intended audience.
How Frequently Does Google Update Its Search Algorithm?
Google updates its search algorithm multiple times throughout the year, but the exact timing of these updates is unpredictable.
Google implements various types of updates, with the most impactful being ‘core updates,’ which involve extensive changes to the entire search system.
There are also smaller, more focused updates that target specific aspects, such as enhancing the quality of product review rankings or combating link spam. Although these updates may appear less significant, they can still greatly influence your SEO performance.
Another category includes smaller core updates that target specific areas, such as review content. Although these updates may not be immediately noticeable, they can still significantly affect your SEO performance.
For a comprehensive overview of all recent Google algorithm changes, refer to the official Google update list.
Next, we will explore how to monitor Google algorithm updates in WordPress. Here’s a brief outline of the steps we will discuss in this tutorial:
- Install and Activate the All In One SEO (AIOSEO) Plugin
- Link Search Statistics with Google Search Console
- Review Your Website’s SEO Statistics
- Monitor Your Keyword Rankings
- Steps to Take If Your Website is Affected by Google Algorithm Updates
- Common Questions About Google Algorithm Updates
- Extra Resources for Enhancing Search Rankings
Step 1: Install and Activate the All In One SEO (AIOSEO) Plugin
The simplest way to monitor SEO in WordPress is by using the All In One SEO (AIOSEO) plugin.
AIOSEO is a comprehensive tool designed to optimize WordPress websites and boost your organic search traffic. With over 3 million users, it simplifies the process of enhancing your website content, making it accessible even for beginners.
Discover more about the plugin by reading our comprehensive AIOSEO review.
To follow this tutorial, you will need the Search Statistics feature from AIOSEO, which is included in the Elite plan. Visit the AIOSEO pricing page to make your purchase.
In addition to the Search Statistics feature, AIOSEO’s Elite plan provides access to powerful tools like Keyword Rank Tracking, allowing you to monitor your page rankings for specific keywords.
You can also utilize Content Decay Tracking to identify articles that are losing traffic, enabling you to enhance their performance.
After purchasing the Elite plan, simply log in to your WordPress admin panel to install the plugin. For detailed instructions, refer to our guide on installing a WordPress plugin.
Once the plugin is installed and activated, navigate to All In One SEO»General Settings. Scroll down to the License section and enter your license key to unlock the features of the Elite plan.
For further details, check out our complete guide on setting up AIOSEO in WordPress.
With access to the full range of the plugin’s features, you can proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Link Search Statistics with Google Search Console
To utilize the Search Statistics feature in AIOSEO, you first need to link your WordPress site with Google Search Console.
Google Search Console is a complimentary tool that allows you to monitor your website’s performance and SEO rankings in Google search results.
If you haven’t yet submitted your website to Google Search Console, refer to our guide on adding your WordPress site to the platform.
Next, in your WordPress dashboard, go to All In One SEO » Search Statistics. Then, click on ‘Connect to Google Search Console.’
You will be directed to the ‘Choose an account’ screen from Google, where you can select your Google account.
Ensure you select the account linked to Google Search Console, then click ‘Allow’ to confirm the connection.
Afterward, a dropdown menu will appear, allowing you to select a site to connect to AIOSEO’s Search Statistics.
Select your website, then click ‘Complete Connection.’
The AIOSEO plugin will begin retrieving your ranking data and search traffic from Google Search Console, which may take a few minutes.
Step 3: Review Your Website’s SEO Statistics
Once the AIOSEO plugin has gathered all your website data, you can go to the ‘SEO Statistics’ section.This tab displays a timeline of your website’s search impressions and clicks over a specific time period.
The timeline includes markers for all search updates, allowing you to pinpoint exactly when each change was implemented. Google algorithm updates are indicated by a Google logo.
You can modify the date range using the buttons located on the right side of the page.
Clicking on a marker will provide you with a brief overview of the core update.
Simply clickthe ‘Read More’ button to access Google’s Search Status dashboard for more detailed information about the update.
You can also explore various types of data in the SEO Statistics report.
The first metric is ‘Search Impressions,’ which indicates how many times all of your web pages appeared on search engine results pages (SERPs) during the selected period.
For instance, if you have 1000 search impressions, it means your web pages were displayed 1000 times in SERPs during that timeframe. A higher number of search impressions increases your chances of attracting organic traffic.
The second metric is ‘Total Clicks,’ which refers to the number of clicks your web pages have received from SERPs.
The first metric is the Average Click-Through Rate (CTR), which indicates how effectively your website attracts visitors based on the percentage of clicks it receives.
The final metric is the Average Position, which reflects the typical ranking of all your web pages in search results. This data helps you assess how your content performs relative to competitors.
Next to each metric, you’ll find an indicator that shows whether your performance has improved or declined compared to the previous period.
This allows you to evaluate the success of your strategy. An increase will be marked in green, while a decrease will be shown in red.
The timeline below the metrics compares two key performance indicators: Impressions and Clicks. You can hover over specific dates to view the number of impressions and clicks received on those days.
By analyzing these two trends, you can gauge the impact of updates. For instance, a sudden drop in Impressions after a Google update suggests that your pages are appearing less frequently in search results.
If your Impressions remain high but Clicks decrease, it may indicate that other pages are now ranking higher and capturing those clicks.
Now that you have this information, you can determine whether your web pages and posts have experienced a decline or improvement in search rankings following a Google core algorithm update.
Step 4: Monitor Your Keyword Rankings
AIOSEO allows you to track specific keywords that are crucial for your website. To do this, navigate to the ‘Keyword Rank Tracker’ tab within the Search Statistics feature of AIOSEO.
Here, you can click on ‘Add Keywords.’
You can enter your keywords individually, import them from your existing pages or posts, or upload them from a CSV file. You can also group related keywords, which is beneficial for organizing topic clusters.
And that’s all there is to it.
Once you add the keywords, you’ll be able to view a graph that illustrates your keyword ranking positions.
For further details on this subject, check out our article on tracking SEO changes in WordPress.
What to Do If Your Website Is Affected by Google Algorithm Updates
If a Google core update has negatively impacted your WordPress site’s performance metrics, don’t worry! Here’s how to recover from a Google algorithm update and enhance your marketing strategies.
Identify the Type of Update That Was Implemented
First, you need to determine the nature of the Google update that occurred.
Determine whether the update was a broad core update or a targeted one aimed at specific content types. This understanding will help you identify necessary changes and uncover any ranking factors that need optimization.
Google’s ranking algorithms place a strong emphasis on content that is both original and beneficial to users. Previously, this was managed by a distinct ‘Helpful Content Update,’ but its principles are now integrated into Google’s core updates.
If your website’s pages experienced a drop in rankings following the algorithm update, it’s essential to reassess your content and enhance its originality and value for your audience.
Pro Tip: Creating blog content can be challenging. To streamline the process, consider utilizing AI writing assistants to aid in generating your content.
For additional insights, refer to our guide on utilizing AI content generators for writing in WordPress.
Evaluate Your Website for Related Concerns
Next, assess your website for issues that may be linked to the update. Common problems include thin or low-quality content, slow-loading pages, and insufficient mobile optimization.
AIOSEO’s Search Statistics feature allows you to easily track which pieces of content have improved or declined in search rankings. Simply navigate to the ‘SEO Statistics’ tab and scroll down to the ‘Content Performance’ section.
Here, you can explore detailed metrics for each page, including Clicks, Impressions, Position, and Position Differences (Diff) compared to the previous period.
If you need assistance understanding this data, keep in mind that the primary goal of SEO is to achieve a top position on the first page of search engine results. Therefore, the key metrics to focus on are the ‘Position’ and ‘Diff’ columns.
If you notice a decline in your page rankings, it’s important to investigate whether there are specific issues related to the recent core update.
Regarding ‘Impressions’ and ‘Clicks’, this data can help you assess how effectively you are capturing Google’s attention and attracting visitors to your page.
You can also review each page’s TruSEO score, which indicates how well your page is optimized for search engines. A score closer to 100 signifies better optimization.
To learn more about enhancing your web page’s TrueSEO score, check out our guide on assessing your website’s SEO optimization.
Make the necessary changes and keep an eye on your site’s performance.
Recovering from a decline in search rankings may take time, but with the right adjustments, your website can emerge even stronger.
Once you’ve pinpointed the issues affecting your website, you can implement the necessary changes. These may include:
- Enhancing the quality of your content
- Optimizing your images
- Increasing internal linking
- Improving mobile-friendliness of your site
For additional tips and strategies, check out our comprehensive WordPress SEO audit checklist and our guide on recovering your WordPress site from a Google search penalty.
We also suggest keeping a close eye on your website’s performance. You can utilize AIOSEO or a free digital marketing tool like Google Analytics.
With MonsterInsights, you can monitor your Google Analytics data directly from your WordPress dashboard. This tool helps you track search traffic, bounce rates, and keyword rankings.
If you need assistance in monitoring this data within WordPress, be sure to read our guide on tracking website visitors to your WordPress site.
Common Questions About Google Algorithm Updates
At CanadaCreate, we have assisted thousands of WordPress website owners in enhancing their SEO and marketing strategies. Below are some frequently asked questions about monitoring Google algorithm updates.
How can I stay informed about Google algorithm changes?
If you are using AIOSEO, you can utilize the SEO Statistics timeline feature to track Google algorithm changes. This feature allows you to see when updates were implemented and the nature of those updates, helping you understand their potential impact on your website.
Additionally, you can analyze your website’s search impressions and clicks following the update release. This will help you gauge the effect of the update on your site’s visibility and user engagement.
Moreover, it’s beneficial to follow reputable SEO blogs in the industry for expert insights on Google’s search updates. Well-known platforms like Semrush and Ahrefs frequently share SEO-related news on their social media channels.
Is Google’s search algorithm confidential?
Google’s search algorithm is not completely confidential. While certain specifics about their search updates remain private, Google does offer general guidelines regarding their ranking factors without disclosing every detail.
What is RankBrain?
RankBrain is an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm utilized by Google to enhance its search engine results pages (SERPs).
Prior to the introduction of RankBrain, Google matched user search queries directly to words on web pages to deliver relevant information.
With RankBrain, Google can interpret words and their contexts similarly to how humans do, resulting in smarter and more accurate SERPs that present the most relevant results.
What are Panda and Penguin in the context of SEO?
Panda and Penguin are two significant historical updates to Google’s algorithm that have become integral components of its core algorithm.
While these updates are no longer treated as separate entities, their objectives remain crucial for effective SEO:
- Penguin concentrated on the quality of backlinks, targeting websites that employed spammy or manipulative techniques to enhance their rankings.
- Panda concentrated on the quality of content, aiming to lower the rankings of sites with low-quality or duplicate content while rewarding those with unique and valuable information.
Additional Resources for Enhancing Search Rankings
We hope this article has equipped you with the knowledge to effectively monitor Google algorithm updates in WordPress.
Explore these additional guides to enhance your website’s performance and boost your search engine rankings.
- Leveraging AI for SEO in WordPress
- Top SEO Checker and Website Analysis Tools
- Comprehensive WordPress SEO Guide for New Users
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