Sudden Drop in Organic Traffic through Image Search
-
We've have been facing a strange issue with our Organic Image Search Traffic since July month, 10th July 2016 to be precise. There is a significant decline in our Organic Image Search Traffic that we can see in our Google Search Console Account, We have noticed a sudden drop (Almost 80%-90%) in our daily clicks through image search in Google Search Console, Does anyone here have any idea why this has happened suddenly though everything is same as it was before and we haven't done any changes in image names and images path.
-
Hi there,
It's known that image search is rather random than understandable. Also, there has been some movements in the algorithm in the past 5-6 weeks.
Check two of the most used sources:
Mozcast.com
Agoroo.comAlso, have you checked if what images where the one ranked? Is it possible that those images where updated? Or that the newly ranked are more optimized?
Have you noticed any changes in your server? Loading time might be a plausible cause.Best Luck.
GR. -
The rankings in Google image search move up and down constantly in response to new images entering the competition and rankings adjustments for historic images.
To really determine what is happening you need to look at which images were bringing you traffic before the traffic loss and which of those images have lost traffic. You can then go to the image SERPs and see how they rank today.
I believe that image optimization is a factor, but I mainly believe that visitor engagement is more important to the rankings of the images. Those that are clicked and viewed a lot are promoted over those that are not. There is not much that you can do about that exept produce more popular images.
If your image traffic has taken a massive loss it could be a result of infringement. Spammers grab lots of popular images and place them on their site, hoping that they do well in the image search results and pull in traffic. When they do that the traffic of the copyright owner tanks and the traffic of the infringer goes up. Then if the copyright owner polices the image SERPs and files DMCA complaints, google will remove the images that are complained about and the traffic of the site hosting them will fall. We file more DMCA complaints to image search than to any other type of search - and Google usually responds to them quickly.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Search Visibilty Score dropped by 50%!
Howdy MOZ community, I have been practicing all the "right" techniques on my website, The website in question was doing pretty well ranking among top 5 on SERP's for over 30 keywords, bounce rate of 65% which has been steady since last year, Since 2 weeks ago I have noticed a MAJOR DROP on more than 80% of my rankings, The website in question has also lost 50% in search visibility score, I have checked my Google webmaster tools and there are no alerts regarding bad links ETC, What could be the reason? I hope I can get this sorted out before my employees quit on me because we have lost business by 70%. Please help!
Algorithm Updates | | DustChasersToronto0 -
Reasons for change in organic traffic year-over-year
Need some help in answering the concern of my client. My client is concerned that organic visits from the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> quarter of 2016 are LESS than q1 & q2 of 2015. Overall there was about a 15% variance. Basically, I am trying to explain why the 2015 quarters have more organic traffic than 2016 (over the same time frame)? I have explained that to the client: There are external factors that affect SEO such an increase in competitor presence That we have been focusing on generating quality traffic to the site rather than just quantity That Google’s new SERPs layout is pushing organic rankings down Unfortunately, my client does not believe the above points to be valid, despite the fact he is still receiving the same amount of conversions, with less traffic. Why would his traffic be less in 2016? What else could cause this? Any help would be appreciated so I can help him.
Algorithm Updates | | TowerMarketing0 -
Please help explain this (Question about search results)
What's up SEO's, I'm new the SEO world and had a quick question. I just installed the MOZBAR and did a google search: "What is Google Voice" I attached an image of the results I received. Can someone explain how MacWorld's article outranked Google's when both Google's Page Authority and Domain Authority are so much stronger than MacWorlds. This is in addition to google having many more links. This is basic, but any insight will be very helpful. Thanks guys! [Screen%20Shot%202014-02-18%20at%206.08.15%20PM.png](file:///Users/jackfarrell/Desktop/Screen%20Shot%202014-02-18%20at%206.08.15%20PM.png)
Algorithm Updates | | Petbrosia1 -
New visual search results - what is this and how do we optimize for it?
Hi all, This morning as I am doing some keyword research for a new client, I typed in the phrase and Google returned both the listings as well as a vertical photo bar. I've never seen this before. Is this new? Is it common and I've just missed it? I presume this means we need to really have our photo alt tags 'ducks in a row' but I'm also wondering if this points to an increased importance on visual content? Image attached. Thanks, YINd14d
Algorithm Updates | | EricOliver0 -
Ranking Drop After Switching Sites
I have a client who's rankings dropped after switching to out site. We know that rankings can drop a little after switching, but we are concerned that hers are still low. Any suggestions? As far as I can tell, the links to her site remained the same. Thanks Holly
Algorithm Updates | | hwade1 -
How do you get the Mini-Embed-Link-Thingies in search results?
Rand Fishkin touched on the tiny links that can appear for your search result - not the 6 pack of links that show the structure of your site, but the 2-4 links that show up on one line below your meta description. Any idea how to earn or influence these? He mentioned them in the "New Opportunities in Google's Search Results" webinar from May 2011 on Slide 19 if that helps. An example would be if you search "seo guide" in Google search, the SEOmoz link has those mini links below the meta description. Are they random or can they be influenced?
Algorithm Updates | | Hakkasan0 -
What determines rankings in a site: search?
When I perform a "site:" search on my domains (without specifying a keyword) the top ranked results seem to be a mixture of sensible top-level index pages plus some very random articles. Is there any significance to what Google ranks highly in a site: search? There is some really unrepresentative content returned on page 1, including articles that get virtually no traffic. Is this seriously what Google considers our best or most typical content?
Algorithm Updates | | Dennis-529610 -
Recent changes to suggested search algorithm?
Our company recently had a "company name + scam" listing as #2 in suggested search, and yesterday, it miraculously disappeared. Has anyone else noticed similar changes in suggested search results? I hope it stick, I'm just trying to understand exactly what caused that 1 listing to vanish.
Algorithm Updates | | CareerBliss0