What I’m Doing
In response to Google’s September 2023 Helpful Content Update—which dealt a severe blow to my gaming blog’s visibility—I’ve shifted my strategy. Since Google’s algorithms no longer favor my content, I’m exploring new platforms and diversifying my income sources. Specifically, I’ve:
- Focused on Facebook: Posting content directly on Facebook to drive engagement without relying on external links.
- Adapted Content Formats: Shortened my articles and made them more concise, aiming to appeal to social media audiences who prefer quick reads.
- Experimented with Alternative Revenue: Expanded beyond Google-driven income, adding sources that don’t rely solely on search engine traffic.
Why I’m Doing It
Google’s updates led to a steep drop in rankings, pushing my content down to pages that receive little traffic. I’d recognized the risk of relying too heavily on Google traffic and had begun diversifying, but the change came faster than expected, leaving my current sources insufficient. My goal now is to build a more resilient strategy, so my business doesn’t hinge on one traffic source that can change at a moment’s notice.
The Results So Far & What’s Next
Since the March 2024 update, my income has taken a substantial hit, and the reach of my blog has declined. My efforts on Facebook are slowly building an audience, though it’s a long game. While these alternative strategies aren’t yet enough to fully replace Google, the shift is showing early signs of promise. Next, I’ll continue testing other social platforms and consider paid ads to increase reach. My priority is to establish multiple stable traffic sources and ensure that I’m never dependent on a single platform again.
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