/ SEO
Why has my Google ranking dropped?
Usually a site change, a competitor improving, or a Google update. Check what changed on your side first.
/ 01
The short version
Panic-buying SEO services after a drop is common. Diagnose before you spend.
/ 02
What actually matters
- • Check Search Console for manual actions and coverage errors.
- • Compare the drop date against your own site changes and Google update dates.
- • Check the page still exists, is indexed, and isn't accidentally noindexed.
- • Look at who now outranks you and what they added.
- • Distinguish a ranking drop from a seasonal traffic drop.
/ 03
The bit most people get wrong
A drop from position 3 to 5 can halve your clicks even though it looks minor. Track clicks, not just position.
/ 04
What to do next
Open Search Console, compare the last 28 days to the previous period by page, and find which specific pages lost clicks.
/ 05
Where RIOT fits in
We're a small Colchester studio helping UK SMBs get ranking drops right without agency waste or freelancer flake. If you've read this far and you want a second opinion on your specific setup, book a 20-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth doing anything at all.
We work with clients across Essex, Suffolk, London and the wider UK — and remotely with brands abroad. No lock-in, no monthly retainer minimums, no pretending your problem is bigger than it is.
/ FAQs
Common questions
How long to recover?
Weeks for a self-inflicted issue; a full update cycle for algorithmic drops.
Should I disavow links?
Rarely. Only with a manual action.
Still not sure?
Book a free 20-minute call — we'll answer your specific version of this question with no sales pitch.
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