Massive Traffic Drop (30% and falling)

[Drew_DHVZ]

Hey everyone!

I started out in my affiliate journey in late May/early June and things have been going really well up until the end of this month. I have been growing by about 60-80% month over month and my site in November alone generated just under $600 which is fantastic!

But as of the middle of November, my traffic has dropped significantly. It's down about 30% and still going down. For reference, I write all of my articles, take my own product photos and I focus on EEAT signals in each of my reviews.

My question is 1. Is anyone else noticing this traffic drop/volatility on their blogs/sites? and 2. Any advice for how to recover or is this simply google being google?

Thanks so much!

 

[Graybeard]

Well you "over-optimized" a classic Google foot up the ass. Welcome to the world of SEO.

 

[Drew_DHVZ]

What do you mean "over-optimized"? haha Does that mean I did too good of a job? Or my content was too good? lol now I understand why people hate google so much!

 

[T J Tutor]

What is the niche of your site?

What have been your traffic sources?

 

[Drew_DHVZ]

My niche is dry herb vaporizers and other cannabis tech! My primary traffic source is google organic. I’ve had no manual actions or any issues thus far. And my site is covering decently for its traffic level. It’s just quite the drop and for a site that is still new, it’s been quite massive!

 

[T J Tutor]

Okay, the first thing to recognize is that you are using a "tertiary" traffic source. Search engine traffic is a very labor intensive traffic and is labor intensive because the SE's are always changing and upgrading their algorithms. Additionally, a slump (but also sometimes a surge) after initial launch and search engine recognition is very normal and typical because after the SE's give your site some reign and recognition the elements of the algorithms will have gained additional information on user practices such as time on site, frequency of return, level of engagement, etc. I'm guessing this is where your slump began,

Relying on a tertiary traffic source as your primary traffic source is not a stable means by which to develop viable, long term traffic when it is not supported by both paid traffic and social traffic. Using the SE's alone is like sitting on a three legged stool that is missing two legs. you can find a balance temporarily, but it cannot be sustained.

 

[Drew_DHVZ]

interesting. Ok that's very helpful. I have built a youtube channel that is doing ok and sending traffic to the site. I have also looked into paid ads for my site, but unfortunately this niche is quite prohibitive with regards to getting ads on meta or google in the cannabis niche. I'll keep grinding though!

 

[T J Tutor]

Are you collecting emails from users? Do you have a site registration option, or any form of "opt-in" feature which then gives you a path for emailing sales, promotions, and promoting fresh content on the site? Are you using any of the social channels aside from YouTube? Are you publishing new content at least weekly?

If you are not selling cannabis, or seeds, and only selling cannabis related products you can (in some cases) advertise them with some limitations. I know "X" has some paths to marketing cannabis paraphernalia and influencers do play a big role in the industry and typically have a path for paid engagements.

 

[Graybeard]

What do you mean "over-optimized"? haha Does that mean I did too good of a job? Or my content was too good? lol now I understand why people hate google so much!

What do you mean cannabis? I think I've asked you this before. There's marijuana and there's hemp and there's a big difference.
GooGoo could also be gun shy, thinking it's not a legal offer that's possible too.

You're talking about interstate commerce so the federal laws are the ones that matter.
I'm not making CBD spiked with THC (the good stuff) like I could—except for myself.
The licensing and regulation and the lack of banking in the whole marijuana and hemp industry is a real handicap so you're running in the gray zone, if you can do it great, I have no problem with it but you're dealing with a quasi-legal product—let's put it that way.

 

[Drew_DHVZ]

It’s cannabis adjacent. I’m doing reviews of dry herb vaporizers and other cannabis tech. But not actual cannabis. These aren’t exclusively used with cannabis but it’s in the niche.

 

[Drew_DHVZ]

Also, in my previous reply the over optimized was a genuine question. I realize upon a second read that the haha could easily read as sarcastic which was not my intent!

 

[Graybeard]

Over optimization is a known issue — if the latest algorithm say you are gaming them — This can happen.

Pull the word 'cannabis' for a while and mention 'other uses' — that may prove or disprove that is the reason why.