How to recover lost keywords? Losing keyword rankings can be frustrating, especially when your organic traffic suddenly drops. But don’t panic; many website owners face this challenge and the good news is that you can recover. The article will help you find missing SEO keywords, restore deleted keywords, and recover forgotten keywords using proven strategies.
Let’s explore why keyword rankings drop and what you can do about it!
Key Takeaways
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1. Why Are Your Keywords Losing Rankings Every Day? 6 Common Reasons
Before we dive into how to recover lost keywords, you need to understand why they disappeared in the first place. Here are six reasons your keywords might be dropping from Google’s first page. And what can you do about each?
1.1 Increased Competition
One of the top reasons you might lose a keyword is that your competitors are improving their content. Or a new competitor is entering the market. When another site publishes more comprehensive, optimized content. Also, it has a lot of quality backlinks; Google may favor that site over you.
Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to track new content in your niche (source: Nichepursuit)
For example, let’s say you rank in the top 3 for the keyword “best running shoes 2024”. Suppose a new competitor publishes a more in-depth guide with more data. And get a lot of social shares and backlinks from authoritative sites; you may drop to 5th place or lower.
To maintain keyword rankings, you should use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to track new content in your niche. Additionally, update your content to stay competitive.
1.2 Outdated or Irrelevant Content
When users access an article, but the information is outdated and no longer valuable for reference. For example, the information “iPhone 11 is the latest phone model with powerful performance”. In fact, the iPhone 11 was launched in 2019. This content is no longer valuable for reference because there are many newer versions, such as iPhone 15 or 16.
They will quickly leave the page because the information is not true. Many people repeat will lead to high bounce rates and reduce time spent on the page, negatively affecting SEO rankings.
The article does not reflect current reality and is misleading (source: syntacticsinc)
Google’s goal is to serve the most relevant and updated content to its users. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly review, update and refresh the content. An article that is updated regularly not only maintains its ranking but can also grow thanks to its relevance to current search trends.
1.3 Technical SEO Issues
Even if the content is of high quality, the website has technical errors. Search engines will still have difficulty crawling and indexing, leading to super ranking.
Some common technical SEO errors include:
- Crawling errors (data collection): Googlebot cannot access or read the content. Due to robots.txt configuration errors, server errors (5xx), or broken links (404). To check for these errors. Go to Google Search Console → Pages → filter “Not indexed”. See the specific reason, then use the Crawl stats tab to see how many URLs Googlebot successfully or failed to crawl.
- Slow page loading speed: Slow page loading speed negatively affects SEO and user experience. It is necessary to optimize Core Web Vitals (LCP, FID, CLS) using tools like PageSpeed Insights. At the same time, ensure the page displays well on mobile with a clear and easy-to-use layout.
- Pages blocked from indexing: Some pages are tagged noindex or blocked in the robots.txt file for no purpose. When they cannot appear in search results.
- Missing or outdated sitemap: Reduces the ability to fully crawl the website.
- Complex URL structure: Confusing for both users and search engines.
To fix this, perform a regular technical SEO audit every month or quarter. Use tools like Google Search Console, Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, or SEMrush. Prioritize fixing errors that affect crawlability, page load speed, and mobile experience.
Googlebot cannot access or read the content due to a broken link 404
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1.4 Google Algorithm Updates
Google’s algorithms are constantly changing to improve the quality of search results. As well as providing a better user experience. Updates, whether big or small, can directly affect a website’s ranking.
Algorithms can cause a drop in traffic due to changes in content evaluation criteria. Loss of rankings without obvious technical or content errors. For example, Google’s Helpful Content Update can affect many websites.
Google Algorithm Updates on Google Search Status Dashboard
Content that does not provide enough information or is machine-written will be reduced in ranking. Core Updates will impact rankings across the board, especially for low-quality or in-depth content. The Product Reviews Update prioritizes in-depth, real-world reviews over superficial summary content.
Therefore, you should follow sources such as Google Search Central Blog or reputable SEO sites to update changes early. From there, adjust your content and technical strategies accordingly. Additionally, you can look into outsourced SEO services, and they can help you stay compliant with Google’s new updates.
1.5 Loss of Quality Backlinks
Backlinks from authoritative sites are one of the strongest signals to help maintain keyword rankings. When you lose authoritative backlinks. For example, a partner deletes an article, or the linking website has an error. It reduces the site’s credibility and thus affects rankings.
Use Ahrefs, Semrush, or Search Console to monitor backlinks periodically. If you find an important link is lost, find a way to replace it with a new one. In addition, approach the website owner again to restore the old link.
Losing authoritative backlinks reduces a site’s credibility and rankings (source: Onebase Media)
Not sure where to start? Outsource backlink building to help your website grow more sustainably.
1.6 Accidental Removal of Content
Many businesses, when redesigning their website or editing content, often accidentally delete or block the index of pages that are ranking well. Accidentally deleting or tagging no-index makes Google no longer see the content, leading to a complete loss of keyword rankings.
In addition, it can originate from causes such as deleting the wrong page when updating the website. Incorrect configuration of meta tags or robots.txt files. Or moving URLs without setting up redirects.
When redesigning a website or editing content, it is common to accidentally delete or block the indexing of pages that are ranking well
Before changing the structure of the website, carefully check the URLs that are getting traffic and rankings. Use Google Search Console to determine which pages are broken and restore them quickly if necessary. Set up a backup and retesting process after updating the website.
2. How to Identify Lost Keywords
Before you can recover forgotten keywords or find missing SEO keywords, you need to clearly identify which keywords have dropped or disappeared from the rankings. Several powerful SEO tools can help you track keyword performance and spot downward trends. Below are two of the most effective methods:
2.1 Using Ahrefs to Identify New and Lost Keywords
Ahrefs is one of the most powerful SEO tools for keyword and backlink analysis. You can easily track the keywords your website has recently gained or lost. An essential first step in how to recover lost keywords.
How to do it with Ahrefs:
- Go to Ahrefs > Site Explorer and enter your domain.
- Select Organic Keywords in the left sidebar.
- Select the New tab to see newly appearing keywords, or Lost to check keywords that have disappeared from the top 100.
- Filter by date to compare different periods. For example: 30 days ago vs. now.
Ahrefs tracks keywords your site has recently gained or lost (soure: Ahrefs)
For new keywords, you need to optimize more related content to improve rankings. As for lost keywords, it means that the page used to rank but is no longer there. So, you need to check the content, the page is noindexed, or lost backlinks, etc.) In addition, compare with competitors to see what is different about their content.
Combine analysis of lost keywords and new keywords with data from Google Search Console to detect trends. At the same time, prioritize restoring keywords that used to bring a lot of traffic.
2.2 Checking Google Search Console and Google Analytics 4 for Traffic Drops
When traffic drops, it’s crucial to detect the underlying reasons quickly. Especially if you’re wondering how to recover lost keywords and restore SEO visibility. Google Search Console (GSC) and Google Analytics 4 (GA4) offer comprehensive keyword and traffic data that help you take targeted action.
Use Google Search Console (GSC)
GSC helps identify which pages or keywords have decreased impressions and clicks.
- Open GSC > Performance > Search Results
- Set the comparison period: click “Compare” > select 2 time points (e.g., the last 28 days vs. the previous 28 days).
- Switch to the “Queries” tab to compare keyword performance. Look for keywords with decreased clicks or average position
- Switch to the “Pages” tab to see which URLs have decreased impressions or clicks. Identify pages with decreased search traffic
Filter pages/keywords with high clicks but are decreasing sharply → prioritize handling first. Carefully check the content of the affected page: has it been changed, lost backlinks, or noindexed?
Use Google Analytics 4
Use GA4 to check if your site has lost organic traffic. GA4 helps you understand traffic trends and user behavior on your website.
Check Google Analytics 4 for traffic drops provides comprehensive keyword and traffic data
- Open GA4 > Reports > Engagement > Pages and screens.
- Select Default Channel > Filter by “Organic Search“
- Select “Date Range” > Compare two time periods (e.g. this month vs. last month)
- Scroll down and go to Acquisition > Traffic acquisition. Check which pages have lost search traffic
- Identify pages that used to have high organic traffic but now have lost it. It may be related to keyword loss
Combine GA4 and GSC data to determine the cause: content, keywords, or traffic sources. If only Google is down → Prioritize SEO checks. If multiple sources are down → Consider UX or technical factors.
3. 6 Fast Ways to Recover Lost Traffic and Keywords
Losing keywords and traffic is a common challenge for many websites, but it is completely fixable if you understand the causes and have an effective plan. Here are the basic steps to restore deleted keywords, recover forgotten keywords, and rebuild SEO traffic.
3.1 Identify the Root Cause
The first and most important step is to identify the root cause of the keyword and traffic drop. You need to analyze the keywords that have dropped or disappeared completely, along with the pages that were affected. Tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics will help you collect detailed data and optimize.
The first and most important step is identifying the root cause
To get on the right track, you should ask yourself key questions like:
- Are your competitors outranking you for keywords?
- Is your current content still up-to-date and relevant to search trends?
- Are your on-page SEO elements fully optimized?
- Are there any seasonal events or external factors that affect search behavior?
3.2 Conduct a Content Audit
Content is the key to retaining users and improving rankings. A thorough content audit will tell you which pages need to be refreshed or upgraded. Compare your content to that of your higher-ranking competitors. See what they’re doing well and what’s not being exploited.
To improve quality, make sure your content:
- Satisfies search intent.
- Provides insightful, useful, and personally valuable information.
- Follows the E-E-A-T criteria (Experience, Expertise, Trustworthiness, and Authoritativeness).
- Contains shareable elements like engaging images, charts, or videos.
Steps:
- List all your blog posts and landing pages.
- Analyze their current traffic, bounce rate, and rankings.
- Prioritize content that lost the most traffic.
- Check for outdated info, keyword gaps, and thin content.
A thorough content audit will tell you which pages need to be refreshed or upgraded
3.3 Optimize On-Page SEO
On-page SEO plays an indispensable role in improving rankings. Review the technical and content elements on each page, including:
- Title tags and meta descriptions must be of sufficient length, contain the focus keyword, and be attractive to users.
- Each page should have only one clear H1 tag; avoid repeating H1 tags that confuse search engines.
- Avoid thin content, as Google may penalize pages with poor content or lacking valuable information.
- Optimize ALT tags for images to increase visibility and support users with disabilities.
- Check internal links and make sure there are no 404 errors or broken links.
You can do this check with auditing tools like SiteGuru or other specialized SEO software.
Example: If you lost the keyword “best protein powder,” add semantically related terms like “top protein supplements” or “organic whey powder.”
On-page SEO plays an integral role in improving rankings (source: sprintzeal)
3.4 Build More Quality Backlinks
Another major factor in how to recover lost keywords is restoring or improving backlinks. Lost backlinks can cause rankings to plummet.
Things to avoid:
- Avoid buying and selling backlinks because they can easily be penalized by Google.
- Do not link to pages with weak, irrelevant content.
- Do not send mass promotional emails (cold pitching) without building relationships first.
Instead, you should:
- Create unique, valuable research reports or content to attract natural links.
- Build in-depth hub or cluster pages on a topic to affirm your authority.
- Participate in guest posting on reputable websites in your field.
Build more quality backlinks and improve backlinks
3.5 Research the Latest Google Algorithm Updates
Google constantly updates its algorithms to improve user experience and search results quality. Therefore, it is extremely important to keep track of algorithm updates so that you are not caught off guard when rankings change.
You should follow Google’s official blog, “The Keyword” to receive accurate and early notifications about updates. Reputable SEO newsletters, podcasts, and forums for multi-dimensional perspectives and response strategies.
Regular updates help you quickly adjust your SEO strategy, minimize risks, and maintain stable rankings.
3.6 Consider Hiring an SEO Agency
If you’ve tried everything and still don’t know how to recover lost keywords. It might be time to bring in experts; hiring a professional SEO agency is a good option. They will have the following benefits:
- They can quickly find missing SEO keywords
- Offer a full audit and recovery roadmap
- Help you with techniques to retrieve keywords fast
- Track and prevent future ranking losses
So, when should you hire? When your revenue depends heavily on organic traffic. You’ve tried the fixes, and nothing has improved. Especially if you lack an in-house SEO expert.
Hire an SEO agency to increase website efficiency
| 🏷️ Read more: The Potential Of SaaS Marketing And Why B2B SaaS SEO Is Crucial For Business Success |
Conclusion
Losing keyword rankings can be stressful, but if you understand how to recover lost keywords. With the right strategy and timely action, you can completely recover lost keywords. At the same time, improve traffic and enhance SEO performance in the long term.
However, if you want to speed up the recovery process and grow SEO safely and effectively. You can refer to GODI – a reliable partner. With a team of experienced experts and a proven optimization process. GODI helps you recover lost keywords, improve sustainable rankings, and significantly boost organic traffic.
Act fast, understand the data, and optimize continuously. That’s the key to regaining your position on Google. And if you need a reliable partner, GODI is always ready to support you.
