Following the SEO analysis, our website's homepage disappeared from brand keywords, dropping from the top spot to a level where it is no longer visible. We can now only access it through GSC and using the site: query. The homepage was missing in several languages due to spam, despite no changes being made by the team. However, on July 17, the homepage miraculously reappeared in one language, while the others remained as subpages under brand keywords. This situation is unprecedented for me, but upon closer inspection of the policies, it was discovered that only the pagespeed score was lacking, whereas a competitor with a lower performance score did not experience any homepage issues.
The issue likely stems from a combination of factors:
- Google’s Algorithm Update: It’s possible a recent Google algorithm update impacted your homepage ranking. These updates can significantly change search results, sometimes causing unexpected drops.
- Page Speed: While the competitor’s lower performance score doesn’t immediately explain your homepage disappearance, it’s likely a contributing factor. Page speed is increasingly crucial for Google’s ranking algorithm. If your homepage’s speed score is significantly lower than your competitors, it could negatively impact your search visibility.
- Spam: The mention of spam suggests your website might have been affected by malicious activity, leading to Google penalizing your site. It’s crucial to investigate and address any potential spam issues.
The homepage’s reappearance in one language suggests that Google might be selectively applying the penalties. This could be due to varying levels of spam detection in different regions or languages.
To resolve this issue:
- Prioritize Page Speed: Analyze and optimize your homepage’s loading speed. Consider implementing techniques like image optimization, code minification, and server optimization.
- Address Spam Issues: Thoroughly investigate any potential spam activities targeting your website. This might involve removing malicious content, updating security measures, and reviewing backlinks for spam.
- Monitor Google Algorithm Updates: Stay informed about Google’s algorithm updates and their potential impact on your website.
- Contact Google Support: If you’ve exhausted all other options and suspect a technical error, contact Google Support for assistance.
By addressing these areas, you can increase your chances of regaining your homepage’s visibility for all languages and improve your overall SEO performance.