With regular updates from Google, websites often experience significant shifts in their traffic. Most webmasters see a drastic decline or, in the worst cases, no traffic at all.

To recover a website that has been negatively affected by a Google update, start by analyzing your site's performance and identifying any potential issues. 

Check Google Search Console (GSC) for any messages or penalties. You may need to improve your content quality, optimize for SEO, and ensure your site meets Google's guidelines. 

As a shortcut solution, you can use a backup version of the site provided if your hosting has a daily backup facility in place. So, you can revert your website to a previous state when it was functioning properly. 

Steps to Recover a Website After a Google Update

When your website experiences a traffic dip following a Google update, Google Search Console (GSC) may not provide specific reasons for the decline. 

Here are steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially identify the issues:

1. GSC Performance Reports:

• Check Queries and Pages: Access the "Performance" report in GSC and review the "Queries" and "Pages" tabs to see if specific keywords or pages have experienced a drop in impressions or clicks. This may indicate which content requires attention.
• Compare Dates: Use the date filter in the performance report to examine traffic before and after the decline. This can reveal changes in traffic patterns.

2. Coverage Report:

   - Investigate the "Coverage" report for any indexing errors or issues that might affect your site's visibility.

3. Mobile Usability:

   - Ensure your site is mobile-friendly. Use the "Mobile Usability" report in GSC to identify any mobile issues that could impact rankings.

4. Core Web Vitals:

   - Check the "Core Web Vitals" report to evaluate your site's loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability. Poor scores in these areas can negatively affect your rankings.

5. Manual Actions:

   - Review the "Security & Manual Actions" section for any listed manual actions. A manual action from Google can significantly impact your site’s visibility.

6. Security Issues:

   - Look for security warnings reported in GSC. Issues like malware or phishing notifications could make Google cautious about your site.

7. Content Quality:

   - Assess the quality of your content. Google frequently updates its algorithms to prioritize higher-quality content. Consider using tools like Surfer SEO or Yoast SEO to optimize your content according to current best practices.

8. Backlink Quality:

   - Analyze your backlink profile with tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to identify any lost or toxic backlinks that may harm your site’s authority.

9. Keyword Ranking Tools:

   - Utilize additional tools (e.g., SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz) to analyze your keyword rankings and visibility. This may help uncover keywords where you've lost traffic that GSC does not highlight.

10. Engage with Communities:

    - Participate in SEO forums, Reddit communities, or Facebook groups. Sharing your experiences may provide insights from others who have faced similar issues.

 

11. Review Recent Changes:

    - Reflect on any changes made to your site just before the performance drop. This includes design updates, content changes, or new plugin installations that may have affected your SEO.

 

12. Update and Monitor: 

    - After making the necessary updates or fixes, keep in mind that Google may take time to recognize these changes. Monitor your performance over the next few weeks.

If these strategies do not clarify the situation, consider hiring an SEO expert or agency for a comprehensive analysis of your site and tailored recommendations.