I check search console first then recants updates technical issue backlink change before finxing .
What's Your First Step When a Website Loses Rankings?
- Thread starter SingWave
- Start date
lucasmiller
Newbie
- Jul 7, 2026
- 22
- 2
First, i would look at whether it was a site wide or URL specific problem. A site wide ranking loss could be something like penguin. However, if only a few of the site pages have experienced a ranking drop, then there might be an issue related to search intent, freshness, or competitors.
SilentAurora
Newbie
- Jun 23, 2026
- 18
- 3
I compare the lost keywords and pages. This helps me see whether the problem is affecting the whole website or only certain content.
- Mar 16, 2026
- 103
- 14
Check google search console first, then analyze algorithm updates, technical issues and backlinks.
- Oct 5, 2009
- 2,356
- 1,201
The first thing I check is whether the traffic drop aligns with a Google algorithm update. If it doesn't, I look for technical issues like indexing, crawl errors, robots.txt, canonicals, or server downtime. Then I review Search Console for affected pages and queries, check recent backlink losses, and finally compare any recent content or site changes. Most ranking drops can usually be traced back to one of these areas.
SeokingRanker
BANNED
- Jun 10, 2026
- 82
- 7
The first thing I'd check is Google Search Console for indexing issues, manual actions, or major drops in impressions before making any changes.
The first thing that I would check is whether it is just me who has shifted to HTTPS or whether other competitors has done it as well. In case everyone has shifted i would give it a couple of days before making any move.
- Jun 16, 2022
- 2,849
- 851
Improve both content and backlink building strategy. It will give result slowly and you need to be patient throughout the process. In case, you do not see any progress in 1 year or so., you need to move on to other projects.
katherinejoyce
Junior Member
- Jul 2, 2026
- 101
- 6
I can check GSC first indexing afected pages and the exact drop date.
- Jun 24, 2026
- 58
- 13
Your first step should always be to check Google Analytics and Google Search Console, as that information comes directly from Google as to why your page may be dropping in rank/overall traffic. Now, from there is there are no major alarms going off, I tend to check through my competitors with tools like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog to see if they maybe got some new links, put up some new content, etc...
CornaRanker
Newbie
- Nov 5, 2025
- 25
- 9
I’d check Google Search Console first to see if it’s a technical issue, manual action, or sudden indexing/ranking change.
Nexora SEO
Newbie
- Jul 3, 2026
- 45
- 4
I usually start with Search Console check when the drop happened and which pages were affected. Then I check indexing and recent site changes before digging into updates or backlinks.
The first thing that i check is whether the fall was site wide or on particular pages and queries using search console. if it happened suddenly i will check for technical and indexing issues before going for backlinking or the content.
rankflowmedia
Newbie
- Aug 8, 2026
- 7
- 1
The first step is checking Google Search Console to see if it's a site-wide drop or specific pages, then looking out for recent algorithm updates or technical errors.
Same for me, GSC is always the first place that I go. After that, I look at serch intent, content gaps, and competitor coverage of the needs of the users.
