HP Traffic: Extended Plunges with Mini Surges

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   seamistposted 12 years ago

   Like many people, I lost between 70 to 80% of my traffic. I waited until HP switched us over to the subdomains. Shortly thereafter, I saw a spike in my traffic back to pre-Panda levels. On Sept. 6, my traffic plunged back to Panda levels. A few weeks ago, I experienced a surge that increased my traffic from less than 200 visitors a day to around 1500 visitors day. Unfortunately, it only lasted about 5 days, and the traffic went back down to less than 200 per day. Now, starting yesterday, I am experiencing another surge, and this time, the traffic is even slightly higher than the last surge. I am not trying to be negative, but I doubt this surge will last either.
   
   I don't the surging/plunging. It seems to me that either your content is either good or not. Why can't Google make up their mind instead of being wishy-washy? Has anybody read any good theories about why this is happening?

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   1. 88

      SimeyCposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I'm on my third surge - expecting a plunge tomorrow (if the pattern continues).
      
      No idea why there is a Google Dance going on.....

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   2. 81

      Wesman Todd Shawposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Google runs tests on it's search results.  I think they basically bury a subdomain in the SERPS and try to determine if people liked their search results better or less without you in it - then they'll adjust accordingly.
      
      I've never had the kind of traffic that you've described - but I've been avaraging a steady 4 or five hundred visits per day since the last ....early September panda thing - which rolled out in stages (as I understand it) - and it just sounds like you are still in their "testing" stage right now.

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2. 81

   GmaGoldieposted 12 years ago

   Google has been tweaking. I appreciate their efforts but the first update was harmful to online writers
   
   Previous Panda Updates according to Search Engine Land:
   
       Panda Update 1.0: Feb. 24, 2011
       Panda Update 2.0: April 11, 2011
       Panda Update 2.1: May 10, 2011
       Panda Update 2.2: June 16, 2011
       Panda Update 2.3: July 23, 2011
       Panda Update 2.4: August 12, 2011
       Panda Update 2.5: September 28, 2011
   
   As a user, I was not appreciative and as a writer I left completely disgusted with Google-happy with HP being responsive.
   
   The road map for SEO should be clear and this secrecy I find distasteful.
   
   I cannot fault Google - the Internet is the wild west and the new rules are being born as we speak but the wide swings leaves quality content writers frustrated.
   
   As a small business owner, I find the reliance upon social media disturbing. The chatter is overwhelming for sites such as Twitter. There needs to be a distinction of just publishing for the sake of publishing. Good information is being buried by big spenders and Google will loose if the creditability is not maintained.
   
   Hopefully HP's hard work will pay off and the surge we are experiencing will become permanent.

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