Is the Google Traffic Trend Down for Most Websites?

[anefarious1]

Do you guys think that Google is sending less traffic to webmasters? It seems to be that getting visitors is more difficult than ever. I have a successful website but over the last few months the traffic has declined. Part of my thinks it's because Google Search isn't what it once was. Or is it the answers that Google provides directly on their website, or the addition of more and more adverts above results. Many factors. You guys notice it?

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Mods Note:
Please discuss search traffic trends of your websites. Google bashing posts are not helpful and will be removed / edited without further notice. Thanks.

[edited by: aakk9999 at 1:06 pm (utc) on Nov 1, 2016]

[ken_b]

Based only on my own experience I'd say it probably is sending less traffic, and the traffic it does send may be viewing fewer pages.

The viewing fewer pages may well equally the webmasters and Googles fault, but that's probably another story.

In my experience more and more often a question that lends itself to a short direct answer appears at the top of the serps. That frequently leaves no need to actually visit the source website.

On the other hand, searches looking for more complicated answers or in depth information still require a visit to a website. I often end up visiting several sites on a given serps and about as often refine the search query several times looking for the appropriate info.

Just my experience of course.

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[engine]

Trends for some sites are significantly up, whilst others are down. It really depends on the sector, IMHO.

Over time, the switch to mobile and the attention span limitations and ui have also changed how people search.

Apps also are another way of changing how traffic as we know it has changed.

[ergophobe]

On sites I monitor, it goes both ways. Some up, some down.

Generally the ones that are up are in a "rising tide floats all boats" situation. The ones that are down are in a "ergophobe dropped the ball and didn't keep up" situation.

[anefarious1]

Yeah that's a good point about Apps. That's another factor.

More proof of what I'm saying. In Google Search Console... My average SERP position stayed the same but traffic is down. That's a "tell" right there.