Figuring out why your website isn’t ranking where it should—or worse, why it’s taken a hit after a recent Google core algorithm update—can feel like an endless puzzle.
After six years of working hands-on with SEO, I’ve seen every hurdle out there: from thin content and manual actions to the sudden traffic drops that come with broad core updates.
But here’s the good news: each of these issues has a solution.
In this guide, you’ll find 31 critical reasons why websites struggle to climb search rankings, with clear steps to diagnose and fix each problem.
Whether you’re aiming to restore organic traffic, recover from a core update, or address low-quality content, this guide brings together practical insights and real solutions.
SEO is always evolving, and as I uncover new techniques or Google’s algorithms change, I’ll keep this guide updated, helping you stay ahead.
Domain Ranking Factors
1. Thin Content Pages
Thin content / low content quality which provides minimal value to users and search engines, affecting your overall rankings.
Pro Tip:
Use tools like Screaming Frog to identify thin pages and expand them with rich, detailed content, incorporating multimedia and outbound links where necessary.
How much content is considered "thin"?
Pages with less than 300 words of meaningful content are often considered thin. However, it also depends on the quality and depth of information provided rather than just word count.
2. Domain Age
Older domains generally have more authority and trust with Google. However, domain age alone isn’t enough.
Pro Tip:
If your domain is new, focus on high-quality content and strong backlink acquisition to accelerate trust-building.
3. Google Sandbox
New websites may experience delayed ranking due to the Google Sandbox effect.
How long does the Google Sandbox effect last?
The Google Sandbox effect can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. There’s no fixed time, but consistently working on content, backlinks, and technical SEO can shorten this period.
Pro Tip:
Continue building high-quality content and backlinks during this period. Be patient and ensure your site’s technical foundation is solid.
4. Lack of Domain Authority
Low domain authority can make ranking for competitive keywords challenging.
Pro Tip:
Focus on building links from reputable sites. Tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush are invaluable for tracking domain authority improvements.
5. Lack of Silo-Specific Backlinks
Silos help organize your content, and backlinks within these silos are crucial for topic authority.
What is a content silo?
A content silo is a method of organizing content into structured groups around a specific topic. This helps both users and search engines better understand your site’s focus, improving your authority on that subject.
Pro Tip:
Structure your site with clear silos (e.g., clusters of related content) and focus on acquiring backlinks within these topics.
6. Google Penalty
Receiving a manual or algorithmic penalty can severely impact your site’s rankings.
Pro Tip:
Regularly monitor Google Search Console for any penalties and address issues promptly. If penalized, submit a reconsideration request after fixing the problem.
Page Level Ranking Factors
7. Low SEO Score on Pages
If your page SEO score is low, ranking high becomes more difficult.
Pro Tip:
Use tools like MarketMuse or Clearscope to improve your on-page SEO, including keyword usage, meta tags, and content structure. BUT don’t just blindy listen to these tools every piece of content you upload to your site still needs to be bringing quality, like this article this is based from my findings there’s hundreds of articles on how to recover a websites traffic and all they are doing is providing the same generic tips…
8. Lack of Keywords in Content (Preferably High Up the Page)
Keywords that appear high up in the content send a strong relevance signal to search engines.
How many times should I use my keyword on a page?
There’s no set number, but aim to use your main keyword naturally within the first 100 words and periodically throughout the content. Avoid keyword stuffing by using synonyms and related phrases to enhance relevance.
Pro Tip:
Place your primary keywords within the first 100 words of your page to help search engines identify the content’s focus early.
Negative: Keyword stuffing can result in a poor user experience and a Google penalty. Always aim for natural keyword placement.
9. Schema Markup
Missing schema markup can cause your content to lose out on enhanced search features like rich snippets.
Pro Tip:
Add relevant schema, such as Article, FAQ, or Product markup, to help search engines better understand your content.
10. LSI Keywords
Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) keywords help search engines contextualize your content. Don’t just solely rely on
Pro Tip:
Include synonyms and related terms to enrich your content. Use tools like LSIGraph to discover related keywords.
11. Unique Content
Duplicated content won’t help you rank and may even lead to a penalty.
Pro Tip:
Ensure every page on your site offers unique and valuable content. Tools like Copyscape can help check for duplicate content.
12. Length of Content
Longer, more detailed content tends to rank higher, especially when it fully addresses user intent.
How long should my blog posts be for SEO?
For competitive topics, aim for at least 1,500 words. However, the focus should always be on quality and relevance rather than just word count. If the topic can be thoroughly covered in fewer words, that’s fine, too.
Pro Tip:
Aim for content that’s over 1,500 words for competitive topics but focus on quality over quantity.
13. Table of Contents
A table of contents (ToC) improves user experience and can lead to better rankings.
Pro Tip:
Add a ToC, especially for long-form content, to enhance navigation. This also increases the chances of gaining site links in SERPs.
14. Multimedia
Incorporating videos, images, and infographics can enhance user engagement, which in turn can improve rankings.
How does multimedia affect my SEO?
Multimedia keeps users engaged longer, which can reduce bounce rates and increase dwell time—both of which are positive ranking signals. Make sure to optimize all media for faster page load times.
Pro Tip:
Use high-quality images and embed relevant YouTube videos to enrich content. Don’t forget to optimize image alt text and compress images.
15. Fresh Content
Regularly updating content shows Google that your site is active and relevant.
Pro Tip:
Regularly refresh old articles with updated data and insights to maintain relevance and rankings.
16. Outbound Links
Linking to high-authority sources boosts the credibility of your content.
Pro Tip:
Use outbound links to reputable sites and studies. This improves your content’s trustworthiness and relevance in the eyes of search engines.
17. Internal Links
Internal links help distribute link equity and guide users through your site.
Pro Tip:
Review your internal linking structure, ensuring all important pages are linked to frequently. Use Screaming Frog to identify orphaned pages.
18. Supplementary Content
Supplementary content (FAQs, related articles, guides) enhances the value of your page.
Pro Tip:
Add relevant supplementary content that supports the main topic. Use FAQs or related links to boost user engagement and dwell time.
19. Keyword at the Start of Title Tag
Placing your target keyword at the beginning of your title tag can improve rankings.
Pro Tip:
Rework title tags to include your primary keyword early, ensuring they still read naturally.
Negative: Avoid over-optimizing title tags by stuffing multiple keywords. This can appear spammy to both users and search engines.
20. Keyword Frequency
Using your main keyword too frequently (keyword stuffing) can lead to penalties.
Pro Tip:
Aim for natural keyword frequency. Tools like Clearscope can help you find an optimal keyword density without overdoing it.
Backlink Ranking Factors
21. Lack of Inner Page Backlinks
Backlinks only pointing to your homepage won’t benefit inner pages and their ranking potential.
Pro Tip:
Focus on building backlinks to inner pages, such as blog posts or service pages, to distribute authority throughout your site.
22. Over-Optimized Backlink Anchors
Using exact-match anchors excessively can lead to penalties for over-optimization.
What is an over-optimized anchor text?
Over-optimized anchor text occurs when the same exact keyword is used too frequently in backlinks. It’s best to diversify anchor text with branded, natural, and partial-match phrases to avoid penalties.
Pro Tip:
Diversify your anchor text with branded, natural, and partial-match phrases to avoid over-optimization penalties.
23. Toxic Backlinks
Backlinks from low-quality or spammy sites can hurt your rankings.
Pro Tip:
Use tools like Link Research Tools (LRT) to identify toxic backlinks. Disavow these links via Google Search Console to protect your site’s health.You should be regularly checking your backlink profile for any syndicated or spammy backlinks from sites.
User Engagement Ranking Factors
24. Slow Website (Relying Too Much on Plugins)
Plugins can slow down your website, negatively affecting user experience and rankings.
How can I improve my website speed?
Reduce the number of plugins, optimize images, enable caching, and consider using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to improve website speed. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can help identify specific issues.
Pro Tip:
Minimize plugin usage, optimize your code, and use caching to speed up your website. Consider a CDN like Cloudflare for faster load times.
25. Poor Mobile Optimization
With Google’s mobile-first indexing, a poorly optimized mobile site can hurt your rankings.
Pro Tip:
Ensure your site is fully responsive. Test it across different mobile devices using Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool.
Social Signal Ranking Factors
26. Lack of Social Signals
Weak social engagement can reduce your content’s visibility and overall traffic.
Pro Tip:
Promote your content across social media platforms. Encourage shares and interactions to build visibility and indirectly boost SEO.
Brand Signal Ranking Factors
27. Lack of Brand Signals
Weak brand presence online can affect Google’s perception of your site’s authority.
How do I improve my brand signals for SEO?
Focus on increasing brand mentions across authoritative websites, social media, and PR campaigns. Encourage customer reviews and social media engagement to build a stronger online presence.
Pro Tip:
Focus on building brand awareness through PR, influencer marketing, and social media. Collaborate with other authoritative websites in your industry.
Wrapping It Up
28. Competitor Content is Better
If your competitors have more in-depth, valuable content, it’s hard to outrank them.
Pro Tip:
Analyze competitor content with tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush. Identify gaps in your content and make sure you’re providing better value.
29. EEAT Signals
Google prioritize sites with Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (EEAT). If you lack these signals, rankings may suffer.
Pro Tip:
Enhance your about page, cite authoritative sources, and build trust through user reviews and mentions on reputable sites.
30. Content Pruning
Outdated or irrelevant content can drag down your site’s overall SEO.
Pro Tip:
Regularly audit your content and remove or update old posts. Use Google Analytics to identify low-performing pages.
31. Take Action & Hire a Consultant
There’s no denying that SEO can get incredibly complex. If you’ve tried everything and still aren’t seeing the results you expect, it might be time to bring in an expert.
Don’t waste months of effort trying to figure out every technical nuance on your own when a professional can help you see results faster.
An experienced SEO consultant can identify hidden issues, create a tailored strategy, and ensure you avoid costly mistakes that can tank your rankings.
If you’re serious about taking your website to the next level, it’s time to invest in the right help.
Click here to for a free consultation and see how we can help turn your SEO frustrations into real results.