I recently started work on a side project and deployed the landing page of the website about 2 months ago. Initially, the website was the top Google result for the title, but last week I noticed it is no longer showing up in search results at all, despite being indexed. I have basic SEO best practices in place, including a site map and robots.txt file. How can I fix this issue? I am not an SEO expert and my current position has never involved dealing with search results or page ranking.
It’s possible that Google’s algorithms have flagged your website for a reason, resulting in the disappearance from search results. While a lack of SEO expertise can be a contributing factor, there could be several other reasons for this sudden drop in ranking.
Here are some potential causes and solutions based on common insights:
- Penalty: Google might have penalized your site for violating their webmaster guidelines. This could be due to factors like low-quality content, keyword stuffing, or unnatural link building.
- Algorithm Update: Google frequently updates its algorithms, which can affect website rankings. A recent update might have negatively impacted your site’s visibility.
- Technical Issues: Issues with your website’s structure, speed, or mobile-friendliness can hinder its search engine visibility. Make sure your site loads quickly, is responsive on various devices, and has a clear navigation structure.
- Competitor Improvement: Your competitors might have improved their SEO strategies, leading to a higher ranking than yours.
To troubleshoot the issue:
- Check Google Search Console: This free tool provides insights into your website’s performance and potential issues. Look for any error messages or warnings.
- Review Your Content: Ensure your content is high-quality, original, and relevant to your target audience. Avoid keyword stuffing and focus on providing value to readers.
- Analyze Backlinks: Investigate your backlinks for quality and relevance. Avoid using black-hat SEO tactics like buying backlinks, which can result in penalties.
- Mobile-Friendliness: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, as Google prioritizes mobile-first indexing. Use a mobile-friendly testing tool to identify any issues.
- Site Speed: Optimize your website’s speed by compressing images, minimizing HTTP requests, and using a content delivery network (CDN).
If you’re still unable to identify and resolve the issue, consider consulting an SEO expert. They can provide a more detailed analysis and recommend tailored solutions to improve your website’s search ranking.