Google Updates and SERP Changes - March 2020

[Shepherd]

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System: The following 5 messages were cut out of thread at: https://www.webmasterworld.com/google/4982115.htm [webmasterworld.com] by goodroi - 12:19 pm on Mar 1, 2020 (utc -5)

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If you're in ecommerce this twitter thread is a good read, albeit a bit scary.

[twitter.com...]

[RedBar]

I now have some interesting traffic metrics for some of my bigger sites:

1. UK hotel / bar / music venue site -86% in PVs, this level has remained consistent for several days now.

2. UK specialist widget site -66% in PVs, again consistent for several days.

3. Global .com exporting specialist widgets from several countries -64%, again consistent for the past couple of weeks. This is disconcerting because this is a supplier for major construction projects etc. and in the past couple of weeks has not received one enquiry which is unprecedented for it however see my last paragraph.

4. Global trade widget directory 0% change at the moment. It is very noticeable the increase in traffic to the secondhand / used machinery pages. Students also looking for specialist information has remained steady.

5. Global .com exporting specialist widgets from India specifically, +14% in PVs, compared to March 2019 it is +222%. This site has had major upgrades / improvements over the past year however, as with #3, project enquiries are almost non-existent.

Overall the reduction in traffic is not a surprise, what no one within my widget trade knows at the moment is how many project specifiers / buyers are not actually at work since, obviously, decision meetings are not happening, meanwhile our Indian factories are on complete shutdown hence no production whatsoever anyway!

[RedBar]

Oooops, I forgot to mention my friend's specialiast UK home delivery, organic meats / bakery site.

It initially had a huge spike however for several days now it has been consistently in the +1,500% area plus his brand new online shop is actually taking confirmed and paid-for orders.

Previous to the online shop all sales were done by phone / direct visits.

[JesterMagic]

This past week traffic has started to rise a bit. We were down over -30%, this past week it has risen to only -25%. Sales are still really low though (-75%+).

Notice this morning that our keywords also has shuffled around a bit.

[sk7411]

Google said they won't pull the infamous April fool's joke this time in view of the covid-19 pandemic albeit they have decided to pull it on the webmasters this time by releasing unnecessary Google Updates in these hard times . Thank you Google!

[samwest]

I have traffic data for this period that covers twenty years and without fail, traffic and especially conversion has never failed to drop like a rock between weeks 12 and 15. This year, no matter how different our world has suddenly become, is shaping up to be no exception.

Traffic / user BEHAVIOR has suddenly changed...not SERPs. This effect was barely noticable in Googles early years...but has since become the status quo.

I always reason this effect is an algo induced 'hot start' for the next quarter. Thanks for stripping our content of profit once again to jump start Q2.

To see common reports across the board proves the theory...or maybe its just the weather....while everyone is still locked down. Right.

[System]

The following 6 messages were cut out to new thread by robert_charlton. New thread at: google/4990589.htm [webmasterworld.com]
6:28 am on Apr 1, 2020 (PDT -8)