The decline in my Google Search Console traffic after the August core update was brutal

I run a small niche site about woodworking (mostly jigs and router tips) and I saw my organic traffic drop about 60% overnight around August 22nd. Before that update, I was averaging 800 visitors a day, and suddenly it went to 320. I think Google's new AI-driven ranking system is prioritizing huge sites like YouTube and Reddit over smaller creators (you know, the ones who actually build stuff). Has anyone else seen their site tank like this after a broad core update?

2 comments

2 Comments

emeryfox13d ago

Hey, have you tried checking if your pages got hit because of a drop in user engagement signals? I feel you on this one, my DIY repair site took a 50% hit in September after an update. It sucks because I was finally ranking for 'fixing squeaky cabinet doors' - a guide with actual photos of my workbench stains and everything. Now Reddit threads with half-baked tips show up first. Google seems to forget that people want step-by-step stuff from someone who's actually done it, not just a forum post. I hope you bounce back soon, man.

alice24213d ago

Reddit taking over search results is the worst. That squeaky door guide sounds way more useful than some random thread where the top comment says just use WD-40 (which you never should, by the way). Google just doesn't get that real experience matters more than keywords. Hope things turn around for you.