John Mueller, a Google Search Analyst, responded to a site owner on Reddit who experienced a significant drop in site performance in September 2023 and saw no improvement despite hiring SEO services. Mueller emphasized that the issue was likely multifaceted and suggested that the site might have already had its peak performance.
Key Points from John Mueller's Response
- Server Issues: Unlikely to be the cause of the site's decline.
- Ads: Simply removing a few ads won't resolve the issue.
- Links: Disavowing or buying links won't solve the problem.
- SEO Plugins: Switching to a new SEO plugin is not the solution.
Mueller explained that prolonged server downtime could negatively impact search results, but the site's issues were not solely due to server problems. He advised rethinking the site's strategy to adapt to future core updates and suggested that sometimes it might be best to move on to new projects, applying the lessons learned from the current site.
Additional Insights
- Core Updates: Future updates offer opportunities for growth, but a strategic overhaul is necessary.
- Business Models: Some business models may no longer be viable under current search conditions.
- Learning and Application: Skills gained from optimizing the current site can be valuable for new projects or professional work.
Mueller's response aligns with Glenn Gabe's "kitchen sink approach," where multiple issues contribute to a site's Google positioning, making it difficult to pinpoint a single cause. The site in question appears to have been affected by the September 2023 helpful content update, with no recovery observed yet.
Conclusion
Mueller's advice underscores the complexity of SEO issues and the importance of a comprehensive strategy. Sometimes, moving on to new projects can be more beneficial than trying to fix an underperforming site.
