How to Fix SEO Drops After Google Algorithm Updates (Step-by-Step Guide)

SEO drops after Google algorithm updates can be fixed by identifying the affected pages, matching search intent, improving content quality, fixing technical SEO issues, and removing low-quality backlinks. Recovery depends on aligning your site with Google’s quality guidelines rather than trying to “undo” the update itself.

Google algorithm updates can be stressful. One day your traffic is steady, and the next, organic visits fall off a cliff. Rankings disappear, conversions drop, and panic sets in.

The good news?
An SEO drop after a Google update doesn’t mean your site is doomed. In most cases, it’s a signal that something on your site no longer aligns with Google’s evolving quality standards and that means it can be fixed.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• Why Google algorithm updates cause ranking drops

• How to diagnose what actually went wrong

• Step-by-step actions to recover lost SEO traffic

• How to future-proof your site against the next update

Let’s break it down.

Why Google Algorithm Updates Cause SEO Drops

Google updates its algorithm thousands of times per year. Most changes are minor, but core updates, spam updates, and helpful content updates can significantly impact rankings.

These updates usually target:

• Low-quality or thin content

• Poor user experience

• Manipulative link building

• Outdated SEO tactics

• Content that doesn’t match search intent

Importantly, Google rarely “penalises” sites anymore. Instead, it re-evaluates content quality, which means some pages lose relevance compared to competitors.

If your rankings dropped, it’s because:

Google found better content elsewhere or decided your pages no longer deserve top positions.

Step 1: Confirm the SEO Drop Is Algorithm-Related

Before making changes, confirm that the traffic loss is actually caused by a Google update.

Check Google Search Console

• Go to Performance → Search results

• Compare date ranges before and after the drop

• Look for sharp declines in impressions and clicks

Match Dates With Known Updates

If the drop lines up with:

• A Core Update

• Helpful Content Update

• Spam Update

Then you’re dealing with an algorithmic re-evaluation, not a technical error.

Rule Out Other Causes

Also check:

• Manual actions (Search Console → Manual Actions)

• Indexing issues

• Robots.txt changes

• CMS or hosting errors

Only proceed once you’re sure the drop isn’t technical.

Step 2: Identify Which Pages Lost Rankings

Not all pages are affected equally.

In Google Search Console:

• Sort pages by click difference

• Identify URLs with the largest traffic losses

• Check which queries dropped

Look for Patterns

Ask:

• Do blog posts hit more than product pages?

• Are older articles affected?

• Are pages targeting similar keywords dropping together?

Patterns reveal what Google doesn’t like anymore.

Step 3: Analyse Search Intent Changes

One of the most common reasons for SEO drops is search intent mismatch.

Google constantly refines its understanding of what users want.

Example:

• A keyword that is used to rank blog posts now favours:

  • Product pages

  • Comparison guides

  • Videos

  • Local results

What to Do:

• Google your target keyword

• Analyse the top 10 results

• Identify:

  • Content format (list, guide, landing page)

  • Content depth

  • Commercial vs informational intent

If your page doesn’t match the dominant intent, it will struggle no matter how “optimised” it is.

Step 4: Improve Content Quality (Most Important Step)

After major updates, content quality is the #1 ranking factor.

Signs of Low-Quality Content:

• Thin or shallow information

• Keyword stuffing

• AI-generated text with no original value

• Outdated statistics or advice

• No clear author or expertise

How to Improve Content:

1. Rewrite, don’t tweak
   Small edits won’t help. Rewrite sections to add depth and clarity.

2. Add original insights
   Case studies, examples, data, and real experience matter.

3. Answer the full topic
   Cover related sub-questions that users also ask.

4. Improve readability

   • Short paragraphs

   • Clear headings

   • Bullet points

   • Simple language

5. Update outdated content
   Refresh statistics, screenshots, and references.

Google rewards content that feels genuinely helpful, not just optimised.

Step 5: Remove or Improve Thin Pages

Many sites lose rankings because they have too many low-value pages.

Pages to Watch:

• Tag pages

• Thin category pages

• Old blog posts with no traffic

• Duplicate or near-duplicate content

Your Options:

• Improve: Expand the content and add value

• Merge: Combine similar articles into one authoritative guide

• Delete: Remove pages with no SEO or business value

• Noindex: Keep pages for users but remove from search

Quality beats quantity every time.

Step 6: Fix Technical SEO Issues Exposed by Updates

While content is key, technical SEO can amplify or worsen drops.

Technical Checks:

• Core Web Vitals (LCP, CLS, INP)

• Mobile usability

• Crawl errors

• Index bloat

• Broken internal links

Quick Wins:

• Improve page speed

• Fix broken pages returning 404s

• Ensure important pages are indexable

• Strengthen internal linking to affected pages

Algorithm updates often magnify existing technical weaknesses.

Step 7: Audit Your Backlinks

Some updates (especially spam updates) target unnatural link profiles.

Red Flags:

• Paid links

• Private blog networks (PBNs)

• Irrelevant directory links

• Over-optimized anchor text

What to Do:

• Use tools like Ahrefs or Semrush

• Identify toxic or suspicious links

• Remove or disavow only if clearly harmful

Do not panic-disavow everything. Google ignores many bad links automatically.

Step 8: Strengthen E-E-A-T Signals

Google places growing importance on Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T).

Improve E-E-A-T By:

• Adding author bios with credentials

• Linking to authoritative sources

• Showing real-world experience

• Including contact information

• Publishing transparent policies (About, Privacy, Editorial)

This is especially critical for:

• Health

• Finance

• Legal

• Business advice

Step 9: Track Improvements (Be Patient)

SEO recovery takes time.

What to Expect:

• Core update recovery may take weeks or months

• Improvements often show after the next update

• Rankings may fluctuate before stabilising

Track:

• Impressions (early indicator)

• Average position

• Keyword visibility

• Page-level performance

Avoid making daily changes. Measure, adjust, and wait.

Step 10: Future-Proof Your SEO Against Updates

You can’t avoid updates; but you can minimize risk.

Best Practices:

• Publish content for users, not algorithms

• Avoid shortcuts and SEO hacks

• Regularly audit content quality

• Keep technical SEO clean

• Focus on topical authority, not single keywords

If your site consistently helps users better than competitors, updates will help you not hurt you.

Common Mistakes After SEO Drops

Avoid these:

• Rewriting everything at once

• Keyword stuffing to “fix” rankings

• Blindly disavowing links

• Copying competitors without adding value

• Chasing every SEO rumour on Twitter/X

Calm, data-driven action always wins.

Final Thoughts: SEO Drops Are Opportunities

An SEO drop after a Google algorithm update isn’t a punishment; it’s feedback.

Google is telling you:

“Something else serves users better right now.”

Your job isn’t to fight the algorithm.
Your job is to achieve the best result.

Do that consistently, and rankings will return often stronger than before.