All latest updates do in the battlefield of SEO upgrades is lob another grenade into an already hard-to-survive mix.
From algorithm twists to ranking shake-ups, even the sharpest teams get caught off guard.
We grilled a squad of SEO hotshots and business brass with one burning question: which recent SEO curveball threw your strategy for a loop, and how’d you fight back?
Their answers—packed with real-world grit and clever fixes—lay bare the chaos and the comeback plans that kept them in the game.
Dive in!
Paul Chow
A recent SEO challenge we faced was adapting to Google’s emphasis on EEAT.
Our content needed to do more than just rank—it had to resonate as credible and genuinely useful.
We addressed this by collaborating with industry professionals to infuse expert insights into our articles, weaving real-world examples and case studies into the narrative.
Beyond content, we showcased trust signals like credentials across our site.
Paul Chow
CTO, 3DGearZone
Scott Gabdullin
About six months ago, some of my clients’ sites with solid content dropped in rankings out of nowhere, but they climbed back recently after Google’s latest update.
Google seems to be cracking down on sites that churn out tons of content without much value—especially AI-driven material.
While the intent makes sense, it hit some genuinely great small businesses too.
To adapt, we made sure content wasn’t just well-written but packed with real-world insights that show actual experience—something AI can’t replicate.
We also checked if competitors were targeting our keywords better and made adjustments.
It’s frustrating at times, but staying focused on creating authentic, helpful content has been the best way forward.
Scott Gabdullin
Founder, Authority Factors
Andrew Merrick
We faced problems with the Google Core Update, which highlighted content quality and expertise. Some of our blog posts didn’t meet the new standards for authority and detail.
To solve this, we reviewed our content and found areas to improve.
We updated articles with more detailed information and highlighted our expertise. We also added customer testimonials and case studies to build trust.
By improving our content, we met the new standards and increased website traffic and client engagement.
This experience reinforced the need to focus on high-quality, trustworthy content.
Andrew Merrick
Owner, Aquasoltech
Alifiya J.
My team posed a challenge in keyword rankings after the December spam update.
What we experienced: We saw a lot of fluctuations in our keyword rankings. Our primary keyword “applicant tracking system” lost its rank from pos. 6 to pos. 17 as soon as the roll out got completed. We waited for a day or two but there was no improvement in the rankings.
How we fixed it: We quickly ran a content gap analysis and SERP analysis for this keyword. We found gaps in the content that we have written for the blog that is ranking for our keyword and our competitors.
We immediately changed our Meta description and title for that blog. We also pushed out link building for this keyword by getting links from 75+ DR websites only.
The changes we saw: Within 10 days, the keyword jumped back to pos. 7 after applying changes.
Alifiya J.
Digital Marketer, Recruitcrm
Sameer Gupta
The March 2024 core update, focusing on reducing low-quality, unoriginal content and enhancing spam policies, posed challenges for teams heavily reliant on scaled content strategies. This update prioritized user-centric, high-quality content and penalized pages designed solely to match specific search queries.
To adapt, our team implemented a multi-faceted approach:
- Content Audit: We assessed and removed unoriginal content, emphasizing unique, value-driven material.
- Improved UX: Enhanced site navigation and page design for better user experience metrics.
- Monitoring Tools: Leveraged advanced analytics to identify and address ranking dips promptly.
This strategic pivot improved our organic traffic by 35%, realigned our content strategy with user intent, and ensured compliance with Google’s evolving standards.
Sameer Gupta
SEO Executive, BOTSHOT
Bhavik Sarkhedi
The recent core update of Google’s December 2024 emphasized content quality and authenticity, which impacted pages with thin or overly optimized content.
It was a kind of a wake-up call to reassess our strategy.
To specifically address this, we audited our content library, identifying pieces that lacked depth or failed to meet user intent. Instead of simply tweaking keywords, we focused on creating well-researched, value-driven articles tailored to our audience’s needs.
We also amplified E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) signals by integrating author bios, citing credible sources, and updating older content with recent insights.
Additionally, we restructured our internal linking to strengthen topic clusters, enhancing site relevance and navigation.
Bhavik Sarkhedi
Founder, Ohh My Brand
Alan Noblitt
Focus on helpful content posed a challenge for us, as it required revisiting keyword-focused content to ensure real value for users.
We shifted by conducting deeper audience research and creating content that directly answered their questions, paired with data-driven insights.
To adapt, we also enhanced E-E-A-T factors, like author credentials and reliable sourcing, which helped us maintain rankings and improve engagement metrics.
This shift emphasized quality over quantity, and the results have been worth the effort.
Alan Noblitt
President, Seascape Capital, LLC
Khan Muhammad Imran
Just recently, my team dealt with a great challenge arising from a Google’s spam update which has penalized websites for spammy backlinks.
This was made especially difficult as a lot of adverse associations were not our own but were independent variables the reasons of which were outside of our reach. The update caused a drop in rankings for some clients, making it critical to act swiftly.
Our solution consisted of performing a deep backlink scan to extract all toxic and useless backlink references to the target sites.
We aggregated these into a disavow list and submitted it using Google Search Console to avoid future penalties. At the same time, we have revitalized our backlink approach, focusing on high-level, high-quality, contextually relevant links from reputable sites.
Google’s changes are constantly evolving, presenting their own challenges, but they make us adapt our approaches and keep the top pace.
John Wilson
As the CEO of a home services company, we struggled with the Google Core Update, which focused on content relevance and user experience.
Some service pages didn’t rank well because they lacked useful information. To address this, we revised our content strategy.
We created more detailed and helpful service pages, adding homeowner tips and FAQs to answer common questions. We also improved page layouts for easier navigation.
These updates made the website more user-friendly and aligned with the update’s requirements. As a result, we saw an increase in organic traffic and customer inquiries, proving the value of useful and relevant content.
John Wilson
Owner & CEO, Wilson Plumbing and Heating
Abhishek Shah
When Google began penalizing AI-generated mass-produced content, we noticed that our site, Testlify, saw a sharp decline in traffic—from over 500K clicks per quarter to just 280K.
This was because our content strategy relied heavily on volume without enough focus on quality. AI-generated content lacked a personal touch, relevant stats, semantic keyword usage, and personalized insights that engage readers, which we learned the hard way.
We then prioritized high-quality, human-written content structured around well-researched topic clusters. Each piece was optimized for user intent, incorporating relevant keywords naturally without keyword stuffing.
We also paid attention to optimizing metadata, ensuring it was relevant and compelling for both search engines and users. Additionally, we added engaging graphics and built authoritative backlinks to strengthen domain credibility.
The results were transformative. Our traffic rebounded, and now, 23 out of 40 monthly articles consistently rank on the first page. Quality, relevance, and user value will always outshine shortcuts.
Abhishek Shah
Founder, Testlify
On behalf of the BoostMyDomain community of readers, we thank these leaders and experts for taking the time to share valuable insights that stem from years of experience and in-depth expertise in their respective niches.
BoostMyDomain invites you to share your insights and contribute to our authoritative publication. Reach a wider audience, build your credibility, and establish yourself as a thought leader in an industry that caters to every business with an online presence!
