In SEO, standing still is not an option.
Recent algorithm updates have underscored the importance of staying proactive, anticipating changes, and adapting quickly to maintain search visibility.
In this post, leading SEO experts and business leaders from the BoostMyDomain community reveal how they are putting this principle into practice.
We asked them to identify a specific SEO update that posed a significant challenge to their team’s existing approach and to reveal the solutions they implemented to not just adapt but to excel.
Their insights provide a blueprint for navigating the complexities of the modern search landscape and demonstrate the power of SEO agility in achieving sustained success.
Read on!
Google's Helpful Content Update Challenges Team
One of the toughest SEO updates my team faced recently was the Helpful Content System updates from Google.
Several of our clients saw a drop in organic visibility because the content was keyword-optimized but not truly valuable to the user.
We did a content audit and found pages with thin or duplicated content and prioritized those for a refresh. We worked with subject matter experts to create in-depth user-centric content that was focused on audience intent, not search engine algorithms.
As a result, traffic recovered, and time on page and conversion rates increased.
This experience reinforced the importance of putting the user first in a shifting search landscape.
Abdul Samad
SEO Specialist, Enterprise64
Reassessing Content for Google's Helpful Update
One recent SEO update that posed a challenge to our team was Google’s increased emphasis on the helpful content system, which prioritizes content created for people rather than search engines.
While we already focused on quality, we had to reassess older content that leaned too heavily on keywords rather than offering real value.
To address this, we conducted a content audit to identify underperforming pages and rewrote or merged them to better match user intent. We also incorporated more user-focused elements like FAQs, case studies, and multimedia to make the content engaging and informative.
By aligning with Google’s guidance, we not only improved rankings but also enhanced the overall user experience.
Vivek Tank
Senior SEO Specialist, Verz Design
Refocusing Content to Address User Intent
When Google rolled out its latest helpful content update, it felt like someone had suddenly switched the map for a treasure hunt we thought we’d mastered.
The rules shifted: ranking high wasn’t just about fitting in the right keywords anymore; it was about genuinely answering people’s questions and giving them something they actually cared to read.
A bit of a curveball, really.
The problem was clear. Some of our pages, while technically correct, didn’t really speak to anyone. They looked good on paper but didn’t hold a reader’s attention for long. We realized it was time to stop thinking like content creators and start thinking like problem solvers.
So, we went back to basics. We sat down with the pages that weren’t quite cutting it, almost like they were underperforming team members in need of a pep talk.
Instead of focusing on stuffing in keywords, we asked, “What’s this piece really doing for the person reading it?” We added practical examples, some fresh insights, and made sure the tone actually felt like it was written by someone who knows what they’re talking about.
And then came the real twist: we ditched the broad strokes. Instead of trying to rank for keywords that everyone and their dog was after, we zoomed in on the specific stuff, the kind of questions you could imagine someone muttering under their breath while googling at midnight.
Turns out, those long-tail searches are gold.
It wasn’t an instant transformation, but the results started to show. People spent longer on our pages. Bounce rates dropped.
Even conversions nudged upwards. It was a lesson in humility, really: reminding us that the internet isn’t just a game of numbers, but a way to genuinely connect with what people need. Google just made sure we didn’t forget.
Peter Wootton
SEO Consultant, The SEO Consultant Agency
Adapting to Google's Core Update with E-E-A-T
The Google Core Update that rolled out in 2024, which placed a heavy emphasis on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness), proved to be one of the most fun challenges we’ve had.
To address it, we used a combination of three tactics: incorporating author expertise, adding real-world experience, and updating existing content to include the EEAT standards.
For example, we interviewed a subject matter expert for every single content piece we’d updated, which increased the rankings by 15% in 3 months.
Additionally, we changed our approach to content strategy. Instead of focusing on broad topics, we created content that delved deeper into specific issues, showcasing real-world case studies, expert interviews, and data-backed insights.
The content answered complex questions thoroughly, positioning us as a trusted authority on those topics.
The update challenged our standard process and I, for one, am happy about it because it drove us to dig deeper and truly put our journo hats on!
Lana Rafaela Cindric
SEO & Content Manager, SiteGuru
Balancing Traditional SEO with AI Precision
We often find ourselves at the intersection of traditional SEO methodologies and cutting-edge AI/ML innovations. One recent challenge we faced was Google’s emphasis on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) in its algorithm updates.
This shift posed a unique challenge for startups and e-commerce clients, as many lacked the robust content and trust signals necessary to rank effectively in competitive spaces. Our traditional SEO processes were geared towards content optimization and backlink strategies, but this update demanded a deeper focus on building credibility and demonstrable expertise.
To address this, we developed a hybrid approach that merged human expertise with AI-driven precision.
1. Leveraging AI for Gap Analysis: We used our proprietary AI tools to analyze competitor content and identify gaps in our clients’ content strategies. This allowed us to generate detailed insights into what authoritative and experience-driven content was missing.
2. Showcasing Client Expertise: For e-commerce clients, we emphasized authentic product reviews and user-generated content, blending them with expert-backed articles to highlight their industry knowledge.
3. Enhancing Trust Signals: We implemented structured data strategies, such as rich snippets and FAQ schemas, to showcase transparency. For startups, we prioritized building digital PR campaigns to secure mentions in authoritative publications.
The result? A 40% increase in organic traffic across targeted client campaigns within three months, along with higher engagement rates due to more relevant, authoritative content.
Advice for Teams Navigating Similar Updates
1. Embrace the Blend of Tradition and Technology: Leverage AI for data insights, but balance it with authentic, human-driven content that speaks to your audience’s needs.
2. Build Trust at Every Level: Focus on trust-building strategies like customer reviews, expert endorsements, and transparent brand communication.
3. Iterate Continuously: Algorithm updates are not static. Use them as opportunities to refine your strategies and stay ahead of the curve.
Navigating the ever-evolving SEO landscape requires adaptability and innovation. By integrating cutting-edge tools with a human touch, we’ve turned challenges into opportunities to deliver lasting value for our clients.
Amber Wang
Co- Founder & Data Scientist, PressRoom AI
Prioritizing User Experience Over Keyword Density
A recent challenge was Google’s continued emphasis on helpful content updates, which penalize websites with overly optimized or thin content. This required us to rethink how we approached certain client pages that prioritized keyword density over user value.
At AHWebSEO.com, we tackled this by conducting a full content audit, identifying pages that needed deeper insights, better formatting, or more engaging visuals to meet user intent.
We implemented a solution focused on creating in-depth, topic-clustered content that aligns with audience needs while naturally incorporating keywords.
As a result, several client sites saw improved rankings and engagement metrics, showing that prioritizing user experience is now more critical than ever.
Alexander Hill
Director, AH Web SEO
Updating Content for Google's Helpful Update
Updating Content for Google’s Helpful Update
The Helpful Content Update from Google posed a significant challenge to our team, as it prioritized content written for users over search engines.
Some of our existing pages, which relied on heavy keyword optimization, saw a decline in rankings because they didn’t fully align with Google’s new emphasis on user-focused content.
To address this, we conducted a content audit to identify underperforming pages and updated them to focus on user intent and value. This included rewriting thin or overly optimized content, incorporating actionable insights, and addressing specific audience pain points.
For instance, instead of keyword-stuffed blog posts, we created how-to guides and in-depth resources tailored to common questions in our niche. Additionally, we improved engagement signals by adding videos, infographics, and interactive elements to enhance user experience.
Google’s updates increasingly reward user-first content.
Regularly auditing and aligning your content with user intent and enhancing value can mitigate ranking drops and improve long-term SEO performance.
Slavko Kovacevic
Head of SEO, PR Link Engine
Incorporating Summaries to Align with AI Overviews
We encountered challenges after Google enforced the AI overviews.
Our initial content strategy wasn’t optimized for this shift, resulting in a slight decline in organic traffic.
To address this, we implemented a new approach: incorporating concise summaries at the beginning of each article.
These summaries give users a quick, informative overview, aligning with Google’s emphasis on immediate value.
Since implementing this change, we’ve observed a positive impact on our organic traffic and search engine rankings.
Tatev Iskajyan
SEO Specialist, PowerDMARC
Improving Core Web Vitals for Better Rankings
A recent SEO update that posed a challenge to my team’s existing approach was the Google Core Web Vitals update, which emphasized the importance of user experience metrics, particularly page speed, interactivity, and visual stability.
These changes made us reassess our strategy because while we had been focused on traditional SEO elements like backlinks, keyword optimization, and content quality, Google’s new ranking factors shifted the spotlight to performance-related issues that directly impact user experience.
The challenge we faced was that several of our client websites, particularly e-commerce sites, had slower loading speeds, which were negatively affecting their Core Web Vitals scores.
This was especially concerning as many of these websites had previously ranked well in organic search, but with the update, they started to see a decline in their rankings.
To address this challenge, we immediately conducted a site audit using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse to identify performance bottlenecks.
We found that many of the issues stemmed from large image files, unoptimized code, and third-party scripts that were slowing down the pages. We implemented solutions such as compressing images, leveraging browser caching, and improving server response times.
Additionally, we worked with the development team to ensure that scripts were loaded asynchronously to minimize blocking elements.
Once the improvements were made, we monitored the results closely, and within a few weeks, we saw a significant improvement in both Core Web Vitals scores and search engine rankings. This update highlighted the growing importance of technical SEO and user experience.
By proactively addressing the challenges posed by the update, we ensured that our websites remained competitive in search rankings while offering a better user experience. It reinforced the need for continuous optimization and staying up-to-date with Google’s algorithm changes.
Enhancing Content Credibility with E-E-A-T
Google’s focus on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) challenged our content strategy by emphasizing credibility.
We adapted by prioritizing expert-authored content, adding authoritative citations, and showcasing trust signals like testimonials.
For example, incorporating medical expert reviews into health-related blogs boosted rankings and user confidence.
This shift aligned our approach with Google’s guidelines while enhancing user engagement.
By continuously auditing content for E-E-A-T compliance, we maintained performance despite the update, turning the challenge into an opportunity for improvement.
Brenton Thomas
Founder, Twibi
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!
