Are you misinterpreting an ‘Algorithm’ as a ‘Google Penalty? Take it easy; you’re not the only one who does it. Just because the high-profile Google core update tends to shake rankings, that doesn’t mean they are imposing some penalties or penalties themselves. Their predominant aim is to rank the better websites on top. Such websites meet all the quality standards issued by Google.
Who runs core updates – Humans or Bots?
Many SEO Toronto executives postulate that core updates are based on robotic reviews. But that’s not correct. The core update does not shake the rankings unless human assessment validates the facts.
How can I cope with the loss caused by core updates?
The core updates always cause a loss worth some magnitude. The loss starts with losing organic traffic. Consequently, everything starts getting to the point of loss. It is easy to catch up with the loss, whether small or massive. We’ll only need to find the highest point in the curve where we went wrong.
Any of the following reasons would have gotten your rankings down:
Being Oversmart –
Showing Different Pages To Google & Users
Such practices are popularly known as Cloaking & Sneaky Redirects. In that scenario, you’re trying to deceive Google. You’re showing it a wholly different version of web pages shown to the potential users. In the subsequent potential penalty – ‘Sneaky redirects’, you’re redirecting the user to an absolutely different page than is shown to them before they click on it.
Fix it ASAP –
Google Search Console can help you with that. It will help you find pages with different versions for the web and users. Then you’re supposed to resolve the variations. Also, if you’ve applied any redirects, we suggest you get them removed at the earliest, or Google will be de-indexing your site anytime. Once everything is done, make sure you’re dropping a reconsideration request.
Being Overclever
Applying Clever Mobile Redirects
Google has a brutal dislike for websites using clever practices of applying redirects. Such websites create clickbait content. Such content appears different when the user is about to click. But, it is entirely different from what’s expected. Google doesn’t allow such malpractices to take any space in its kingdom.
Fix it ASAP –
It might be the case that you’re not applying sneaky redirects on your own; rather, there could be some security issues. Then you need to review all the third-party scripts to ensure your website is safe and is not hacked.
Follow These Steps:
- At first, you need to eliminate all the third-party scripts and elements you don’t have authority for.
- Next up, you’ve to check your site on a mobile device to ensure the redirection has been stopped thoroughly.
- If you suspect any script responsible for a sneaky redirect, make sure you’re removing that from your site. If the script is crucial for you, we suggest debugging the issue, re-installing it, and testing it.
In case you’ve applied sneaky redirects intentionally, you’ve to get them removed and get into Google’s compliance sphere.
Being Deceptive
Cloaked Images
Have you hidden something behind the images?
- Does another image obscure your image?
- Is your image different for users and Google?
- Does clicking on your image redirect the users away?
Fix it ASAP
- Make sure you’re equalizing the image versions for both the users and Google.
- Once you’ve resolved all issues, make sure to drop a reconsideration request.
Being Ignorant
AMP Content Mismatch
In this scenario, the content of the AMP version and canonical version is different. But these two versions are required to be the same. But that doesn’t suggest for the text to be precisely the same in both versions. Textual differences are acceptable under the same topic.
Fix it ASAP
First of all, you need to ensure that the AMP pages and canonical pages are linked relevantly.
Next, you must ensure that the content of AMP and canonical pages are the same. This can be ensured with the URL inspection tool.
Once the AMP and canonical pages are in sync, follow these steps –
Step 1 – Google Search Console
Step 2 – Security & Manual Actions
Step 3 – Manual Actions
Step 4 – Request a review
Make sure to keep an eye on Google Search Console accounts. It’ll help you obtain the site reviews.
Trying To Aim For Big With Cheap Tactics
Keyword Stuffing
Many websites stuff the keywords in the content or make them appear everywhere using the same color as the background.
Fix it ASAP
Find out the text which has a color similar to the body of the webpage
Remove any hidden text so that it becomes evident to human users.
Eliminate other instances of keyword stuffing.
Once everything is done, make sure to submit a reconsideration request.
Aiming For Win In Short Run
Pure Spam
When it comes to penalties, this one can’t be ignored. It is mainly for those websites that use black hat SEO techniques from a to z. They’re violating Google’s policy at large.
Fix it ASAP
This requires you to change your entire SEO strategy and the website accordingly.
Once you’ve fixed all the issues, drop a reconsideration request.
Fooling Google
Content With No Value
A website is supposed to contribute to Google if it aims at ranking at the #1 SERP. The following types of content offer no value to Google and can be penalized:
- Auto Generated (With the help of some AI tools)
- Scraped content
- Low-quality blog posts
- Doorway pages
Trying To Follow Cheap Tactics
Non-relevant links to your site
Your site must get niche-relevant and high-quality backlinks. If your site is linked to any website, irrespective of its niche and domain authority, the credibility of your site is at stake, and it can fall.
Final Comments!
Google’s core update tends to filter out results from search result pages. If any rules and regulations are not followed, Google may penalize you. Google penalties may become a reason to hit you in the core updates.