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How does Google’s algorithm update affect small businesses operating in Dubai?
The effects were devastating for some websites that depend on online sales, especially for small entrepreneurs. See more here.
Devastating impacts on small businesses:
Earlier this year, Google implemented major updates to its algorithm, with the aim of improving the quality of search results. However, many small businesses were severely impacted, facing drops in traffic to their websites. Some businesses, such as that had to lay off employees or even close their doors.
A clear example of the consequences of these changes. She founded, together with her husband, the website House Fresh, which specializes in air purifier reviews since 2020. Without ads or product promotions, the website stood out for its honest reviews, earning commissions from clicks from customers who bought on Amazon. With the Google update, Website went from receiving 4,000 daily Google references to just 200, forcing her to rethink her entire business model.
Changes at the beginning of the year: the end of the Core Update:
The March 2024 Core Update, which began to be implemented on March 5 and was completed on April 19, was one of the longest ever carried out by Google. Its main objective was to reduce low-quality and spammy content in search results. The initial goal was to eliminate 40% of this type of content, but the update managed to exceed the goal by 5%, according to Google. Click Here for SEO Services in Dubai
Despite Google’s declared success, small businesses and SEO professionals faced significant challenges. A lack of clarity about how Google’s algorithm ranks results left many business owners and SEOs confused. The lengthy time it took to implement the update further complicated the analysis of its impact.
Confusion and frustration among SEOs:
The frustration of many small business owners and SEOs stems from Google’s lack of transparency. The company is notorious for its secrecy surrounding its algorithm, which has fueled an entire industry dedicated to search engine optimization. The recent update has left many in a state of confusion, desperately trying to understand why some sites benefited while others suffered.
SEO expert Oberstein commented on the difficulty in properly analyzing the changes and impacts caused by the update. He noted that the long implementation time was a major complication, making it difficult to compare with traditional data that typically takes about two weeks to analyze.
Small Business Reactions and Adaptations:
The drop in traffic was so severe that was advised to close her website and start from scratch with a new domain. Other business owners are also looking for ways to reduce their reliance on Google, exploring alternatives such as newsletters, podcasts and other means of attracting an audience.
The update has also had a negative impact on news sites. One publisher of a European news site reported that since the update, his articles had been overtaken by irrelevant content from Reddit, resulting in a 20% to 30% drop in redirected traffic from Google searches. This scenario has led to inevitable cuts, creating additional challenges in an already difficult market for independent publishers.
It is decided to reorient her business strategy to include video reviews and newsletters, in the hope of reconnecting with her audience. Despite her traumatic experience with Google, she continues to trust the web and receive support from users. Alternatives such as DuckDuckGo have begun to gain more relevance in her search engine references.
