Yes, that is correct, you read it right. Google initiated significant changes to its algorithm in the last days of March which has resulted in medical sites taking a HUGE hit on rankings.
Medical websites that got a rank boost by back links through Private Blogging Networks, were hit most. Those having high quality content with natural back links got a spike.
According to the data provided by SEMRush, Healthcare websites saw a massive fluctuation in traffic and rankings after the recent March 2019 Core Update.
According to the website the top 3 losers were:
MyLVAD
PainScale
Medbroadcast
MyLVAD
Is a community and resource for people suffering from advanced congestive heart failure and relying on an LVAD implant. An in-depth analysis of the site reveals that there is poor compliance with the Google E A T quality.
The material shared on the websites is not authenticated and credited to specialist doctors. Contact details along with people responsible for the website are not available.
PainScale
Is a website, which also has an App that helps to manage pain and chronic disease.
It provides information on pain management. However the authority of the content shared is questionable. More importantly there is a toll to manage pain which has a quiz. However the website asks users to share certain health details before free sign up. Google has an aversion to this method and the algorithm punishes hard.
Medbroadcast
Provides information about diseases, health conditions with treatment options. However authenticity of the authors is not available.
5 Musts To Manage & Protect
1. All Blog Posts Must Have The Author By Line
Websites in YML category that include healthcare, wellness, and finance sectors must have authors who are experts in that field. AVOID getting your content written by content writers. Authenticate all content.
2. Remove Scraped & Duplicate Content
Google scores your website by analyzing individual posts and pages. If you’re engaging, scrapping or duplicating content from another website, the chances are that you may get hit by an algorithm update. Remember paraphrasing of content doesn’t make it unique, and Google can identify these types of content very easily. Please remove all thin, scrapped or rewritten content.
3. Invest in Personal Branding
Ensure that your website has an “About Us” page and you’re providing valuable inputs to Google in the form of a schema mark up.
Provide positive testimonials and customer reviews, both within the site and outside to boost the trustworthiness of your website.
4. Focus on the quality of back-links More than on quantity
Do NOT “buy” back links and try to game the Google algorithm. Use blogger outreach as part of your SEO strategy to get high-quality links.
5. Secure your site with HTTPS
Security of its users is a priority for Google, and that is why it’s pushing websites to get SSL certified. HTTPS is now one of the ranking factors, and it’s also one of the ways to improve the rating of your website. Buy the certificate.
