What to Do When an Algorithm Update Hurts Your Website

Stephen Updated on

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Algorithm updates happen all the time – most you won’t even notice. But when a big one drops and your site gets whacked, you’ll know. Traffic tanks, leads vanish, and suddenly, it’s panic mode.

The big question is – what do you do when an algorithm update hurts your website?

What are the first steps to take after a significant update?

Let’s take a look at what you can do.

Don’t panic

First, it’s important not to panic (at least, not for long). I know that’s easy to say, but it’s a natural reaction, so don’t feel guilty about the hot sweats and clammy hands. Just get over that and move on as quickly as possible.

Put your logical head on and start going through the ideas below.

Step 1: Confirm the update and confirm the traffic is gone

Google announces major updates across several platforms, including, but not limited to:

Plenty of people also share this information on YouTube, Twitter and other social media platforms. So the answer won’t be hard to find.

To check the traffic from Google is gone, log into your favourite analytics tool (usually Google’s) to check the numbers.

Check the timing

When Google announces an update, it states the starting date and expected time for the update to be complete. Website owners have seen fluctuations before the specified date so sometimes it’s hard to pin-point the exact moment the update started. 

But knowing this information will help you discover if it’s a natural drop or an algorithm change.

Confirmation

If everything above points to your website getting whacked by a Google update, it’s time to start looking at your website’s performance, content, and how Google views it compared to its competitors. 

Step 2: Review Your Content – Is It Good Enough?

Typically, this one is the biggest culprit when it comes to an algorithm update. If your website contains a lot of low-quality content that doesn’t provide value, in the eye’s of the algorithm, your site could get hit

Go through affected pages and ask yourself:

  • Is this content actually useful? Or is it just filler?
  • Is it original? If it’s AI-generated fluff, rewrite it with real insights.
  • Does it show experience and expertise? Add author bios, references, and expert opinions.
  • Is it up to date? Old, stale content can lose rankings—refresh it with new info.

Google loves sites that provide real value. Make sure yours does.

Step 3: Fix On-Page SEO Issues

Even great content can struggle if the SEO isn’t right. Do a quick audit:

  • Title tags & meta descriptions – Are they clear, relevant, and compelling?
  • Headings – Are they structured properly (H1, H2, etc.)?
  • Keywords – Are you using them naturally, or is there keyword stuffing?
  • Internal linking – Are you helping Google and users navigate your site?
  • Images – Do they have alt text and aren’t slowing down your site?

Small tweaks here can make a big difference.

Step 4: Check for Technical Issues

Google doesn’t just rank sites based on content—it looks at how fast, secure, and user-friendly they are.

Run your site through Google Search Console’s Page Experience Report and check for:

  • Mobile-friendliness – Is your site easy to use on phones?
  • Core Web Vitals – Are pages loading fast without annoying shifts?
  • HTTPS security – Are all pages secured with SSL?
  • No broken links – Fix any 404 errors or redirect loops.
  • Indexing issues – Google might not even be crawling your pages properly.

All of these issues come under the umbrella term ‘technical SEO‘.

If there’s a technical issue, fixing it can help your rankings recover faster.

Step 5: Audit Your Backlinks

Not all backlinks are good. Some can actually hurt you.

Check your Google Search Console Links Report or use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to look for:

  • Spammy, low-quality links from dodgy sites.
  • A sudden drop in backlinks (were links removed?).
  • A lack of good backlinks – if competitors are outranking you, they might have better links.

If you spot bad links, you can disavow them (only as a last resort). But the best fix? Earn high-quality backlinks from reputable sites.

Step 6: Make Sure Your Website is Easy to Use

User experience matters more than ever. Google tracks how people interact with your site, and if they’re bouncing fast, that’s a problem.

Check:

  • Bounce rate & time on page – Are people leaving too quickly?
  • Navigation – Can users easily find what they need?
  • Ad placement – Too many ads can make pages feel spammy.
  • Readability – Break up text, use bullet points, and keep it scannable.

If your site is frustrating to use, people (and Google) will move on.

Step 7: Look at What Competitors Are Doing

Who’s ranking where you used to be? What are they doing differently?

  • Check their content – Is it more detailed? More engaging?
  • Look at their backlinks – Are they getting links from authority sites?
  • Analyse their SEO – How do their titles, headings, and meta descriptions compare?

If they’re doing something better, learn from it and improve your own pages.

Step 8: Reassess Your Monetisation Strategy

If your site is loaded with ads or affiliate links, that could be a red flag.

Make sure:

  • Ads aren’t overwhelming the content.
  • Affiliate pages provide real value. Google doesn’t like thin, low-quality affiliate content.
  • Sponsored content is properly disclosed.

A site that’s too focused on making money (without providing value) is a prime target for algorithm updates.

Step 9: Monitor and Adjust

Recovering from an update takes time. Keep tracking your rankings, tweaking your content, and improving your site.

  • Watch your Google Search Console & Analytics reports.
  • Keep improving pages, not just the ones that dropped, but across the site.
  • Stay on top of Google’s updates and SEO best practices.

The key to long-term success? Build a better website, not just one that chases rankings.

Final Thoughts

Getting hit by an update is frustrating, but it’s not game over. Take a structured approach, improve where needed, and focus on creating the best site possible. Rankings can recover—sometimes even stronger than before.

Useful Resources for Algorithm Updates and Recovery

  • Google Search Central Blog – Stay updated with official announcements directly from Google about algorithm changes and best practices.
  • Moz Algorithm Change History – A comprehensive timeline of past Google algorithm updates with detailed explanations.
  • Search Engine Journal – Regular articles and guides on the latest SEO trends and algorithm changes.
  • Ahrefs Blog – Offers in-depth SEO guides, case studies, and tips on recovering from algorithm updates.
  • SEMrush Sensor – A tool that tracks volatility in Google’s search results, helping you spot when an algorithm update might have occurred.

These resources will help you stay informed about algorithm updates and provide practical advice for recovery.

I started working in SEO back in 2003 and launched my own business in 2007. Since then, I’ve helped small businesses build, improve, and grow their websites using WordPress and practical, results-driven SEO. I keep things simple — no jargon or quick fixes — just clear advice based on what actually works online.