Google's John Mueller addressed concerns about site recovery after being impacted by algorithm updates. He confirmed that sites can recover after being hit by updates, but it may take several months and multiple update cycles. He emphasized that adaptation to the evolving web and user expectations is crucial for recovery.
The conversation arose from concerns about the impact of the September helpful content update. Mueller clarified that not all changes require another update cycle, but stronger effects likely will. He compared core updates to adjustments in ranking formulas and thresholds, with the latter often requiring another update cycle.
There were worries that sites affected by the September update would be permanently classified, hindering future growth. Mueller dismissed these concerns, stating that affected sites could regain traffic by improving quality. However, he cautioned that full recovery to pre-update levels is unrealistic due to the dynamic nature of the web and changing user expectations.
Mueller also addressed the recovery process, stating it applies to all kinds of systems and updates within Google. He acknowledged that recovery doesn't have a single, straightforward solution and may require deep analysis and significant work to make a website relevant again. He added that recovery involves more than fixing technical issues; it may require a realignment of business priorities.
Mueller's insights are valuable for sites impacted by Google's updates. Key takeaways include:
- Recovery requires significant effort over multiple update cycles.
- Sites must evolve to meet changing user needs and internet best practices.
- Deep analysis is necessary to identify areas for improvement and realign content strategy with modern relevance signals.
- Returning to previous ranking positions is unrealistic due to evolving user needs.
