Have you ever wondered why some sites that were once praised as official Google publisher success stories have now been penalized and have seen massive traffic declines? In today’s video by Niche Pursuits, the content explores this phenomenon by delving into five websites that experienced a decline in traffic since being featured by Google, as well as five sites that have actually seen significant traffic increases. The video aims to analyze why Google penalized its own success stories and sheds light on the strategies that appear to be working in search today. Additionally, it provides a full spreadsheet of data available at Niche Pursuit for a comprehensive understanding of the analyzed sites and their traffic statistics.
Background Information
Google has a feature where it showcases publisher success stories. These success stories are meant to inspire and encourage small publishers to create great content. However, it has been observed that many of the sites that were once praised by Google have now been penalized and experienced significant declines in their organic traffic. This raises the question of why Google would penalize its own success stories.
A study was conducted to analyze the traffic of 107 websites before and after they were featured by Google. The study found that 52.3% of the sites experienced declines in traffic, while 47.7% saw increases. This indicates that Google’s featured sites don’t always maintain or improve their traffic after being showcased by the search engine.
Despite the decline in traffic for many featured sites, there are still a number of websites that have seen significant traffic increases. It is important to analyze the data and learn from both the successes and failures of these featured sites. The full spreadsheet of data is available for free at Niche Pursuit.
Websites with Traffic Decline
Several websites that were featured by Google have seen a decline in their organic traffic. These sites serve as examples of how even successful sites can experience setbacks in terms of traffic.
BabySleepIt.com – 40% decline in traffic
BabySleepIt.com is one of the featured sites that has experienced a decline in traffic. Since being featured by Google, the site has lost nearly 40% of its organic traffic. It seems that the site’s focus on very specific keyword articles might have contributed to its decline. The targeted approach may have led to over-optimization and a loss of organic traffic.
GardeningHow.com – 67% decline in traffic
GardeningHow.com, another featured site, has experienced a significant decline in its organic traffic. The site has lost approximately 67% of its traffic since being featured by Google. The gardening industry has seen increased competition, which could explain the decline in traffic. Other sites in the industry have seen gains, but GardeningHow.com has been hit hard.
TheDiscoveriesOf.com – 90% decline in traffic
TheDiscoveriesOf.com, a travel website, has suffered a drastic decline of 90% in its organic traffic since being featured by Google. The site’s traffic fell off a cliff around September 2023, and it has struggled to recover. While the site had authority in the travel niche, it appears that targeting overly broad keywords affected its traffic.
BackyardAssist.com – 100% loss of traffic
BackyardAssist.com has experienced a complete loss of traffic since being featured by Google. The site, which covers topics like backyard pools, patio furniture, and landscaping, has gone from receiving 20,000 to 22,000 organic visitors per month to zero. The site’s broad approach, covering various subjects from landscaping to birdwatching, may have contributed to its downfall.
WealthOfGeeks.com – Complete de-indexing and 100% loss of traffic
WealthOfGeeks.com, a once-prominent success story featured by Google, has suffered a devastating blow. The site has been completely de-indexed by Google, leading to a 100% loss of organic traffic. WealthOfGeeks.com covered a wide range of topics, including personal finance, travel, and entertainment. The site’s broad scope may have played a role in its downfall.
Websites with Traffic Increase
Despite the decline in traffic for many featured sites, there are still websites that have seen significant increases in their organic traffic. These sites serve as examples of successful strategies in search engine optimization.
TryhardGuides.com – 130% increase in traffic
TryhardGuides.com saw a substantial increase of 130% in its organic traffic after being featured by Google. The site’s success may be attributed to effective SEO strategies and targeted content. By catering to a specific audience and optimizing their content for relevant keywords, TryhardGuides.com was able to achieve a significant traffic boost.
PxlLight.com – 157% increase in traffic
PxlLight.com experienced a remarkable increase of 157% in its organic traffic after being featured by Google. The site’s success can be attributed to a combination of quality content, effective SEO techniques, and a targeted approach. By focusing on their niche and providing valuable information to their audience, PxlLight.com was able to drive more organic traffic to their site.
IowaGirls.com – 695% increase in traffic
IowaGirls.com saw a staggering increase of 695% in its organic traffic after being featured by Google. The site’s success can be attributed to its focus on a specific geographic region and delivering content that resonates with its target audience. By tailoring their content to the interests and needs of their target market, IowaGirls.com was able to attract a large influx of organic traffic.
BruisPassports.com – 75% increase in traffic
BruisPassports.com experienced a significant increase of 75% in its organic traffic after being featured by Google. The site’s success can be attributed to its expertise in the passport and travel niche. By providing valuable and informative content related to passports, BruisPassports.com was able to attract more organic traffic and establish itself as an authority in the industry.
MelsKitchenCafe.com – 250% increase in traffic
MelsKitchenCafe.com saw an impressive increase of 250% in its organic traffic after being featured by Google. The site’s success can be attributed to its focus on cooking and recipe content. By consistently delivering high-quality recipes and engaging cooking-related content, MelsKitchenCafe.com was able to attract a large and loyal audience, resulting in a significant increase in organic traffic.
Conclusion
The study analyzing the traffic of 107 websites before and after being featured by Google has provided valuable insights into the outcomes of such features. While over 40% of the analyzed sites experienced declines in organic traffic, it is important to note that 47.7% of the sites saw increases. This indicates that being featured by Google does not guarantee sustained or improved traffic in the long run.
Analyzing the data and studying the successes and failures of these featured sites is crucial for understanding the ever-changing landscape of search engine optimization. By learning from both the sites that have seen declines and those that have seen increases in traffic, publishers can adapt their strategies and improve their chances of success.
The full dataset containing the traffic statistics of the analyzed sites can be accessed for free at Niche Pursuit. It is recommended to explore the data and draw insights from the various success stories and setbacks.
Furthermore, subscribing to the Niche Pursuits YouTube Channel provides an opportunity to stay updated on the latest SEO insights and strategies. By continually investing in knowledge and staying informed, publishers can navigate the dynamic world of search engine optimization and increase their chances of success.