Why Your Website's SEO Position is Dropping (Part 2) - Episode 90

Summary

Podcast Summary: Grumpy SEO Guy – Episode 90

Title: Why Your Website's SEO Position is Dropping (Part 2)
Host: Grumpy SEO Guy
Release Date: January 8, 2025

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Introduction

In Episode 90 of the Grumpy SEO Guy podcast, titled "Why Your Website's SEO Position is Dropping (Part 2)," the host delves deeper into the common reasons behind declining SEO rankings. Building on the foundation laid in Part 1, this episode provides listeners with actionable strategies to diagnose and address SEO setbacks effectively.

Grumpy SEO Guy [00:29]: "I'm grumpy today because people still don't know why their websites are losing their SEO position."

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The Importance of SERP Charts

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the utilization of SERP (Search Engine Results Page) charts as a primary tool for monitoring and analyzing SEO performance. The host emphasizes that tracking SERP positions is crucial for identifying the underlying causes of ranking drops.

• What is a SERP Chart?
  • A visual representation of a website's ranking positions over time, akin to a stock chart tracking price changes.

Co-host [02:25]: "A SERP chart is the most important SEO tool, right?"

• Recommended Tools:
  • SerpFox: Highlighted as a reliable tool used by the host for over a decade.

Grumpy SEO Guy [03:12]: "There are multiple SERP tracking tools that you can use. I use one called serpfox.com... there’s really no reason to not be tracking at least 10 keywords."

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Main Reasons for SEO Position Drops

The episode identifies three primary factors that can lead to a decline in SEO rankings, each explained with detailed insights and illustrative examples.

1. Algorithm Updates

Search engines like Google regularly update their algorithms, which can significantly impact website rankings. These updates often result in noticeable shifts in SERP positions.

• Characteristics of Algorithm Updates:
  • Sudden Changes: A website may maintain a consistent ranking (e.g., position 7) and then experience a sharp drop to a lower position (e.g., position 21) following an update.

Grumpy SEO Guy [04:34]: "And then all of a sudden you drop down to, like, I don't know, 21, right?"

• Identifying Algorithm Updates:
  • External Indicators: Reports and discussions from SEO communities and the use of SERP volatility tools can signal an algorithm update.

Grumpy SEO Guy [12:36]: "So how could you tell them apart?... if you use a SERP volatility tool, it showed higher volatility, meaning, oh, everybody got influenced by this update."

2. Increased Competition

Competitors enhancing their SEO strategies can gradually push your website down the rankings. Unlike algorithm updates, this decline is typically gradual.

• Characteristics of Competition-Driven Drops:
  • Slow Decrease: Rankings may slowly drop from position 7 to 10 over days or weeks.

Grumpy SEO Guy [05:03]: "Number two, your competition has raised their SEO... It’s a slow decrease because another website is taking the place of something above you."

• Impact of Authority and Backlinks:
  • Competitors gaining authoritative backlinks can overshadow your site, leading to a loss in ranking.

Grumpy SEO Guy [07:03]: "SEO is a competition, not a checklist... If your competition receives more authority, that is the same as if you lose authority."

3. Penalties

SEO penalties, often resulting from violations of search engine guidelines, can cause drastic and erratic changes in rankings.

• Characteristics of Penalty-Related Drops:
  • Erratic Fluctuations: Rankings may bounce between high and low positions before stabilizing at a much lower rank.

Grumpy SEO Guy [14:01]: "Penalty movement is very specific... it will bounce like that for a while and then you will be stuck at the bottom."

• Identifying Penalties:
  • Consistent Pattern: Unlike algorithm updates or competition, penalties show a unique fluctuating pattern before a significant drop.

Grumpy SEO Guy [15:11]: "Whenever they ask, oh, why is my website dropping? My response is always post a SERP chart."

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Distinguishing the Causes Using SERP Charts

While algorithm updates and competition-driven drops can appear similar on SERP charts, certain strategies can help differentiate between them:

• Algorithm Update Indicators:

  • Broad industry-wide discussions and reports.
  • Increased volatility across multiple websites.

• Competition Indicators:

  • Specific loss of authority or backlinks.
  • Gradual decline in rankings without widespread industry impact.

Co-host [12:36]: "You probably couldn't tell the difference from looking at them. But that's why you have to go to the next level and say, wait, what's happening here?"

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The Role of Authority and Backlinks

Authority plays a pivotal role in SEO rankings. The podcast delves into how gaining or losing authoritative backlinks can directly influence a website's SERP position.

• Authority Metrics:
  • Although not using specific tools for authority measurement, the host uses hypothetical numbers to explain the concept.

Grumpy SEO Guy [08:14]: "Let's assign a number to authority. Let's say your authority is 50... your competition has 49. You are outranking them."

• Backlink Management:
  • Losing Backlinks: Can lead to decreased authority and lower rankings.
  • Gaining Backlinks: Competitors may climb the rankings by acquiring more or higher-quality backlinks.

Grumpy SEO Guy [10:45]: "The necessary part here is that you lost a backlink or more backlinks. It doesn't matter. In real life, you're gaining and losing backlinks all the time anyway."

---

Practical Advice and Best Practices

The episode concludes with actionable steps and best practices for listeners to maintain and improve their SEO rankings.

• Consistent SERP Tracking:
  • Essential for diagnosing ranking issues promptly.

Grumpy SEO Guy [16:03]: "Go do it. Start tracking your SERPs today if you're not already."

• Engaging with the SEO Community:
  • Utilizing platforms like the Grumpy SEO Guy subreddit for support and insights.

Co-host [17:02]: "Feel free to post your SERP charts on the Grumpy SEO Guy Subreddit if you want a second opinion."

• Avoiding One-Time Backlink Payments:
  • Reiterating the pitfalls of one-time backlink purchases and emphasizing sustainable backlink strategies.

Grumpy SEO Guy [10:07]: "You paid a one time payment and then they pulled the link... that was always a bad idea."

---

Community Support and Resources

Listeners are encouraged to engage with the Grumpy SEO Guy community through various channels for ongoing support and knowledge sharing.

• Subreddit Engagement:
  • A dedicated space for sharing SERP charts and seeking advice.

Co-host [17:40]: "It's a very smart and helpful SEO forum where we talk about actual SEO... I post there pretty often."

• Patreon Support:
  • Supporting the podcast through Patreon to keep it free and accessible.

Grumpy SEO Guy [02:07]: "If you Enjoy this content, Patreon.com/grumpyseoguy... you can help keep the podcast free."

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Conclusion

Episode 90 serves as a comprehensive guide for website owners and SEO professionals to understand and address the common causes behind declining SEO rankings. By leveraging SERP charts, monitoring authority and backlinks, and engaging with the SEO community, listeners are equipped with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of SEO effectively.

Grumpy SEO Guy [18:28]: "You've now learned the reason that your website might lose its rank. You have learned three of the main causes for it, and you have learned what you can do to figure out if it is any of them or not."

Listeners are encouraged to subscribe, leave reviews, and participate in the community to further enhance their SEO strategies.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• [00:29] Grumpy SEO Guy: "I'm grumpy today because people still don't know why their websites are losing their SEO position."
• [02:25] Co-host: "A SERP chart is the most important SEO tool, right?"
• [04:34] Grumpy SEO Guy: "And then all of a sudden you drop down to, like, I don't know, 21, right?"
• [07:03] Grumpy SEO Guy: "SEO is a competition, not a checklist... If your competition receives more authority, that is the same as if you lose authority."
• [14:01] Grumpy SEO Guy: "Penalty movement is very specific... it will bounce like that for a while and then you will be stuck at the bottom."
• [16:03] Grumpy SEO Guy: "Go do it. Start tracking your SERPs today if you're not already."
• [18:28] Grumpy SEO Guy: "You've now learned the reason that your website might lose its rank. You have learned three of the main causes for it, and you have learned what you can do to figure out if it is any of them or not."

---

For more insights and expert advice on SEO, subscribe to the Grumpy SEO Guy podcast and join the community discussions on Reddit or on Patreon at patreon.com/grumpyseoguy.

Transcript

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

This is Grumpy SEO Guy, episode 90. Why your website's SEO position is dropping. Part two.

[Co-host]

You're listening to Grumpy SEO Guy, the.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

SEO podcast that doesn't waste your time with nonsense that doesn't work.

[Co-host]

I'm the grumpy SEO Guy, and I'm sharing with you the strategies that have.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Helped me successfully run my SEO agency for the last 14 years. In this podcast, I'll be sharing my.

[Co-host]

Knowledge and experience, discussing tips and strategies, and trying to help you cut through.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

The confusion that permeates this industry.

[Co-host]

If you listen to this podcast, you will know more about SEO than 99% of people on the planet. Ready? Let's get started. I'm the Grumpy SEO guy. Let me tell you why I'm grumpy today. I'm grumpy today because people still don't know why their websites are losing their SEO position. Okay, so in the previous episode, we.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Talked about the reasons your website can lose rank. And in this episode, we're gonna talk.

[Co-host]

About how to find out what the.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Reason is by using a SERP chart.

[Co-host]

So that you know what's causing it and what you have to do to resolve it.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

But before we do that, my lawyer.

[Co-host]

Tells me that I have to say this right now.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

A quick disclaimer before we get started.

[Co-host]

Everything I say here is based on.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

My experience and opinion from 14 years in the industry. I don't officially know how Google or any other search engines work. Everything I say here is hypothetical and based on my experience, this podcast does not constitute advice or services. What worked for me may or may.

[Co-host]

Not work for you. Okay, back to the show. Pay attention, because I don't think anyone else on the Internet has talked about this. So I've mentioned it, like, a couple times. There's a lot of stuff that you.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Can get from a SERP chart that people don't know about and they don't understand. And I know they don't understand it because I never see anyone talk about it. I have specifically googled some of this stuff to see if anyone else is talking about it. No one else is talking about it.

[Co-host]

So I don't know. Anyway, I'm playing with the concept of writing a book on this topic. I've written, like, a little bit of it, but I feel. I feel like it would be very useful to people.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

But I'm also very busy, so we'll see.

[Co-host]

Anyway, look, okay, by the way, I'm very busy, and I would like to say thank you to my Patreon subscribers.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Who are the reason this podcast is free.

[Co-host]

I run an agency, I make a podcast.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

I spend all day answering questions on.

[Co-host]

Reddit and answering questions to email. So if you Enjoy this content. Patreon.com grumpyseoguy I just want you to be aware that you can support the show on Patreon and. And you can help keep the podcast free. Okay? Anyways, look, so let's talk about SERP charts.

[Guest 1]

Okay?

[Co-host]

Now I want to explain what a SERP chart is. I think everybody knows, but in case you don't know, SERP is SERP Search Engine Result page. It just means where do you rank? If somebody says, what are your SERPs?

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

They're asking you, what position are you in for your keywords?

[Co-host]

A SERP chart is. Is a chart that shows where you rank over time.

[Guest 2]

Right?

[Co-host]

So think of it like a stock chart.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

A stock chart shows the price of.

[Co-host]

A stock, and you can look at the stock chart and see how is the price changing.

[Guest 2]

Right?

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Well, a SERP chart is the same.

[Co-host]

Thing, except instead of showing the price.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

It'S showing your position for your keywords.

[Guest 2]

All right?

[Co-host]

Does that make sense? It is the most important SEO tool, right?

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

You need to be using a SERP.

[Co-host]

Chart so that you can tell if your SEO is improving your rank or not. There are multiple SERP tracking tools that you can use. I use one called serpfox, serpfox.com, s, e, r, p, F, O, X. I've been using them for over 10 years. I think they're really good.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Feel free to use a different one if you want.

[Co-host]

But SerpVox, I think, provides the first.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

10 keywords for free.

[Co-host]

So you really have no reason to not be tracking at least 10 keywords.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

So for the rest of this episode.

[Co-host]

We'Re gonna talk about why your website.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Can decline in its SEO position.

[Co-host]

Okay? The SERPs, and we're gonna talk about what that looks like with a SERP chart. So you can tell from looking at a SERP chart the reason your website is losing position. Let's do them in the same order.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

That I was talking about them in the last episode.

[Guest 1]

Okay.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Algorithm update.

[Guest 2]

Right.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Number one, that I said algorithm update.

[Co-host]

Generally, algorithm updates, your SERP charts will be pretty consistent, right? Because ranking tends to be pretty consistent.

[Guest 2]

Right?

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

And then there will be a big change, and then it will stay in that new position. Okay, so maybe you were in position 7 for a while.

[Co-host]

Let's just say 7. And then the next day you were 7, and then the next day you.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Were 7, and so on. And Then all of a sudden, you.

[Co-host]

Drop down to, like, I don't know, 21, right?

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

And then you stay there at 21 for a while. That's what an algorithm update looks like. Usually.

[Guest 1]

Okay.

[Co-host]

It's consistent position, and then there's a.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Big change, and then you stay in the new position. That's what an algorithm update looks like.

[Co-host]

If you see that, you know, it was probably an algorithm update.

[Listener 1]

Okay?

[Co-host]

But there's something else that can cause.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

That same kind of movement. And we're gonna talk about that and how to tell this apart from that.

[Co-host]

In just a minute.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Number two, your competition has raised their SEO.

[Guest 1]

Okay?

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

This will generally look like a slow decreasing position.

[Guest 2]

All right?

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

So maybe you're in position 7, and then the next day, 7 and then 7 and 7 and then 8 and then 7 and then 8 and then 9 and then 9 and then 10 and then 10 and then 10 and so on.

[Co-host]

It's a slow decrease because another website.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Is taking the place of something above you or of you if you were in position one.

[Co-host]

And that's gotta push you down somewhere.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

So it's not an algorithm update. It wasn't a big change.

[Co-host]

It was just your competition replaced you and you had to go down a place. Okay, does that make sense? That's what it looks like when your competition is raising their SEO and you.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Are losing your rank as a result.

[Co-host]

Okay, so there's one more thing that can happen right here. And I made a remark about it.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

On the last episode when we were.

[Co-host]

Talking about your competition enhancing their SEO compared to you. And so I want to talk about it again right now, and I want to describe the things that are happening when this happens. So remember, and I know I repeat this often, but it's very important.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

SEO is a competition, not a checklist.

[Co-host]

So there are two ways that your competition can have better SEO than you.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

One is if they begin doing SEO and they do better SEO than you, and they start to outrank you, and.

[Co-host]

Then your website will go down as theirs goes up.

[Guest 2]

Right.

[Co-host]

The other way your competition can have.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Better SEO than you is if you are losing backlinks. Now, your competition can do nothing different. You can lose backlinks, so you would lose authority and you can lose your rank. Now, they now have better SEO than you, although they didn't do anything.

[Guest 1]

Okay?

[Co-host]

So if your competition receives more authority.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

That is the same as if you lose authority. And what's the reason? Because SEO is a competition.

[Co-host]

Anyway. So I actually recorded a very long description of this, and I'm redoing it, it's going to be much shorter. So the people that say, oh, your.

[Listener 2]

Podcast is too long, and you repeat the same things over and over again.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

By the way, you must be smarter.

[Co-host]

Than everybody else, because sometimes people, including my, by the way, have to hear something more than once in order to fully understand it. So, anyway, so remember, once you have the other factors, like no penalties, content, and relevancy, it's really a matter of authority.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

So SEO is a competition who has more authority, assuming the other factors are met.

[Co-host]

Okay? Obviously, for the people that are like.

[Listener 2]

You say, it's all about authority. It's not all about authority.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

No, of course not. But when every other factor is met, it is about authority. Okay?

[Co-host]

So anyway, if your competition gains authority.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

That is the same as if you lose authority.

[Listener 1]

Okay?

[Co-host]

I'm gonna use examples that are not.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Gonna make any sense.

[Co-host]

Just hear me out on this one.

[Guest 1]

Okay?

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Let's assign a number to authority. Let's say your authority is 50.

[Co-host]

That does not mean 50 on whatever.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Metric you're talking about. It just.

[Co-host]

Let's just say you have authority and it's 50, okay?

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

No tools, just saying 50, okay? You, your competition has 49. You're ranking higher. And again, I am not saying that vanity metrics determine rank, okay? This is just for an example. Say you have 50.

[Co-host]

I can already hear the people emailing me.

[Listener 2]

They're like, you said, it doesn't matter. But then you said you outrank your competition because you have 50 and you have 49. And you said, it's not how it works. And then you said, it is how it works.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

That's why I'm clarifying that this is an example.

[Co-host]

And yes, you're right, that's not how it works.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

But let's just use this example, okay?

[Co-host]

Because we have to describe it somehow. So let's say you have 50 authority.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Your competition has 49 authority.

[Co-host]

You are outranking them. Now.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

You lose a good backlink. You now have 40 authority. They have 49, they outrank you. Or that is the same as you have 50.

[Co-host]

They have 49, they.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

They get an awesome backlink. Now they have 55.

[Co-host]

You have 50, they outrank you. Now, your competition getting more authority is.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

The same as you losing authority. Why? Because SEO is a competition, okay?

[Co-host]

It doesn't matter what the cause is.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

It matters who has more.

[Co-host]

Now, let's go back to real life now, because I don't want people to complain.

[Listener 2]

You said it's about numbers. And you said it's not about numbers. And then.

[Co-host]

And Then I trust that you understood that example.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Okay, your competition getting good backlinks is the same as you losing backlinks. It has the same effect. In one case, your competition will outrank you because they have more authority than you. And in the other case, your competition will outrank you because they have more authority than you.

[Co-host]

All right, I hope that makes sense. So anyway, how.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

How might that happen? Well, maybe a website that links to.

[Co-host]

You removes your backlinks because you stop paying them. Or maybe they remove their backlinks because their domain expired.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Or maybe they remove the backlinks because.

[Co-host]

You paid a one time payment for backlink and you didn't realize that that was always a bad idea because you.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Never listened to episode 10 where we explain why there's no such thing as one time payments and they're always scams.

[Co-host]

And by the way, that episode is.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Called why one time payments or lifetime backlinks are always a scam. And so you paid a one time payment and then they pulled the link.

[Co-host]

Anyway, I'm just saying it doesn't really matter.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

The necessary part here is that you.

[Co-host]

Lost a backlink or more backlinks.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

It doesn't matter. In real life, you're gaining and losing.

[Co-host]

Backlinks all the time anyway. Literally.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Look at any website.

[Co-host]

Look at how regularly they're gaining and losing backlinks. Guys, it happens all the time.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

My point is, every website on the.

[Co-host]

Internet, like, almost, okay, ranking websites that come up naturally in search results are.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Constantly gaining and losing backlinks.

[Listener 1]

Okay?

[Co-host]

So the point is, if you lose like a good backlink, it might have.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

A big effect on your authority.

[Co-host]

Okay, so what would this look like.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

On a SERP chart? Well, you'd probably be ranking. Let's assume you're ranking in position 4. All right, so you're in position 4, and then the next day you're in position 4. And then the next day you're in Position 4. And you know this because you're using.

[Co-host]

A SERP chart that finds daily position.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Not this nonsense that only does it once a week. That is unhelpful. So position four. Next day, position four. Next day, position three. Next day, position four. Right, because it's normal to fluctuate next day, position four. Then all of a sudden you lose a backlink.

[Co-host]

And this wouldn't like the change probably wouldn't happen instantly, but you know, within a couple days or a couple weeks doesn't matter anyway. So then you're in position 41. Okay, so you went from like basically 4 to like 41. I just picked a number, right? Let's assume you've still got enough authority.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

To be in the 40s.

[Guest 1]

Okay?

[Co-host]

So anyway, that's what that looked like. Now, wise listeners will be saying to themselves, wait a minute, that sounds exactly like what you talked about in the first example, when there's an algorithm update, what's the difference? It's a great question. You probably already know the answer because you're right. The SERP chart patterns are basically identical in these cases.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

So how could you tell them apart? In the first case, it was an algorithm update. If there's an algorithm update, it's very probable that you will see things like reports of algorithm updates. People will be talking about it. Maybe you use a SERP volatility tool, which is a cool thing that we.

[Co-host]

Have not talked about yet, and it showed higher volatility, meaning, oh, everybody got influenced by this update. So, you know, it's a different topic. Okay, in the second case, when you have very similar, A large drop in. In your SERPs, the difference is, in.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

This case, you might think, well, wait.

[Co-host]

A minute, let me check my backlinks.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

And if you see that you lost.

[Co-host]

A big backlink, then you know, that's.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Probably the reason, okay, algorithm updates happen even without you losing backlinks.

[Co-host]

But if you're losing rank because you're.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Losing authority because you lost some great.

[Co-host]

Backlinks, that's gonna happen anyway. That has nothing to do with algorithm updates. Unless there's an algorithm update where backlinks.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

And authority no longer matter.

[Co-host]

But that's a different topic anyway. That's how you can tell the difference.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

So the two charts are very similar.

[Co-host]

You probably couldn't tell the difference from looking at them. But that's why you have to go.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

To the next level and say, wait.

[Co-host]

A minute, what's happening here? Does this seem like an algorithm update, or does it seem like I lost some good backlinks? That's how you tell the difference. Okay, on to the next thing that can make you lose rank.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Number three, a penalty. Penalty movement is very specific.

[Co-host]

I talk about this a lot in.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Episode two, I think, which is called SEO penalties. What they are, how to recover from them, and how to avoid them. And I also talk about it in.

[Co-host]

Episode 35, which is called if you're.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Not tracking your SERPs, you're not doing SEO. Penalty movement is very precise.

[Co-host]

Okay, Generally, this is the short answer.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Generally, if you see penalty movement.

[Co-host]

So visualize that you are ranking in a specific position. Okay, so let's say position seven again.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

So then the next day, position seven. And then the next day, position seven dot and then the next day, position 7. And then what you will usually see.

[Co-host]

At the beginning of a penalty is a drop of anywhere between 20 to 50 points. Okay, so seven.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Now you're in position. Let's say 37. Okay, then the next day. Because remember, we're using a SERP chart.

[Co-host]

That tracks daily movement.

[Listener 1]

Okay?

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Then the next day you're back in position seven. Then the next day you're back in position.

[Co-host]

What did I say?

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

37. 37. Then the next day you're back, and so on. And it will bounce like that for a while. And then at the end of it.

[Co-host]

You will be stuck at the bottom.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

In your new position.

[Co-host]

That is usually what a penalty looks like.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Nobody else on the Internet talks about this except for me.

[Co-host]

So you heard it here first in.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Episode two, and then you heard it again in episode 35. And now you're hearing it again now.

[Listener 1]

Okay?

[Co-host]

That is what penalties look like, by the way.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

This is why when people, for example, on the SEO subreddit or the Grumpy.

[Co-host]

SEO Guy subreddit, which, by the way, you should visit it, it's awesome.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Whenever they ask, oh, why is my website dropping? My response is always post a SERP chart.

[Co-host]

Do you have a SERP chart?

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Because usually what they will do is they will post visitor charts, which don't.

[Co-host]

Help, or they will post traffic charts, which is very, you know, same thing, doesn't help. Or impression charts, doesn't help. Post a SERP chart.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

And the number of people that say, oh, I'm not tracking my SERPs.

[Co-host]

You're not doing SEO then. Anyway, look, I can't help you if I don't have that data. Track your SERPs.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Go do it. Start tracking your SERPs today if you're not already.

[Co-host]

Okay, Anyway.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Anyway, the source of your keyword movement.

[Co-host]

Will present differently on the SERPs, depending.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

On what's causing it. Okay, I've given you enough information now.

[Co-host]

Because you're tracking your SERPs, right?

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

So that you can tell if it's.

[Co-host]

An algorithm update, your competition is doing.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Good SEO, or if it's a penalty.

[Listener 1]

Okay?

[Co-host]

Those are the things that can cause your SERPs to drop. Now, the other thing that might happen is you might get DE indexed, okay? But technically that's not a decrease in SERPs, because if you get DE indexed, you basically, like, leave the serps.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

So it's not really a decrease when you don't rank anymore.

[Co-host]

If you got DE indexed, you either got a really bad penalty or your website was associated with something it shouldn't be. Or you may have gone in and modified the code and said no index or something. I don't know, like that, you know, just whatever. Anyway, I guess I didn't really include that in the list because it's not really. It doesn't count. But somebody's gonna be like, what, did you get deindexed?

[Listener 2]

You forgot to mention that Grumpy SEO Guy.

[Co-host]

You don't know SEO.

[Listener 2]

You're just a dumb scammer.

[Co-host]

Alright. Anyway, yeah, there, I included it for you. Are you happy? So I don't wanna tell you, but.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Now after listening to this episode, you.

[Co-host]

Know how to tell what's going on so you won't need to post anymore.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

And say, why is my website rank dropping?

[Co-host]

And then if you do make that post, by the way, I'm joking. Like feel free to make that post.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Anyway, the Grumpy SEO Guy subreddit will confirm it for you if you think you have the reason.

[Co-host]

It's a very smart and helpful SEO.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Forum where we talk about actual SEO.

[Co-host]

Unlike many of the other SEO forums on the Internet that are full of.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Things like oh, you need title tags and content is king and other things.

[Co-host]

That people say when they don't understand SEO. So anyway, feel free to post your SERP charts on the Grumpy SEO Guy Subreddit if you want a second opinion. Okay, feel free to do it. There's some very smart people there that will help you out. And I'll probably help you out too. I post there pretty often. I can't respond to everybody, but I.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Try to respond to many of the.

[Co-host]

People that post there. And there are also some brilliant people who post there who can also help you out. So if you have a question about.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

What'S happening with your SERPs and why is your rank decreasing, feel free to post a SERP chart on the Grumpy.

[Co-host]

SEO Guy subreddit and say, hey guys, what's going on? I think it might be this, but I'm not sure. Okay, I think that answers your question.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

You've now learned the reason that your website might lose its rank. You have learned three of the main causes for it, and you have learned what you can do to figure out if it is any of them or not.

[Co-host]

I hope you guys enjoyed it. Let me know what you want me to talk about next and I will talk to you later. Thanks for listening. Don't forget to subscribe and if you.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

Enjoy this podcast, please leave a review. It would really help the show out I hope this episode was helpful. If you have any questions or want.

[Co-host]

To suggest a subject for a future episode, you can contact me on Reddit.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

My username is Grumpy SEO Guy. You can visit the Grumpy SEO Guy subreddit or you can email [e-mail] if you email me, please either whitelist my email address or check your junk folders because I've been told that my replies are going into the junk folder and it's probably because we're talking about things like SEO and backlinks, and I think those words will classify an email as spam. And if you want to support the.

[Co-host]

Podcast because it's the best source of SEO information on the planet and it's free, you can do [e-mail] grumpy SEO guy and I will talk to you later. You're listening to Grumpy SEO Guy, the.

[Grumpy SEO Guy]

SEO podcast that doesn't waste your time with nonsense that doesn't work. Join us next Wednesday when we talk.

[Co-host]

About an SEO analogy that will make you understand it even better.