In the ever-changing world of digital marketing, SEO rankings play a crucial role in determining the online visibility and success of websites. However, rankings are known to fluctuate and can drop from time to time. Some website owners may notice that rankings drop specifically on weekends, but why? Is this a common issue? In this article, Wildcat Digital takes a deep dive into whether or not search rankings commonly drop on weekends, and the factors that might cause it. So, let’s get started, do search rankings actually drop on weekends?
Search rankings don’t drop because it’s the weekend, but that doesn’t mean they won’t drop over the weekend. Whether or not it happens depends on a number of factors. Some of which include:
It is, however, possible that your organic traffic will regularly drop at the weekend, but this is more likely due to people in your industry using the internet less on weekends. This is a trend that many industries notice.
Keep reading to learn more about the factors that affect rankings and what strategies you can implement to improve your rankings.
When rankings drop at the weekend, it’s highly unlikely that it’s because it’s the weekend. They can drop at any time of the week as Google’s algorithm is updating all the time, including the weekend.
Taking the time to understand the factors that impact ranking drops can help you develop strategies to mitigate it and maintain consistent performance in search engine rankings. So, let’s delve right in…
Search engines like Google regularly update their algorithms to improve search results and user experience. These updates can affect the ranking positions of websites, leading to fluctuations in search rankings.
Updates don’t always happen on weekends, but it can impact ranking over the weekend. As such, it’s important to stay up-to-date about algorithm updates as they can help you understand and adapt to any changes that might impact your site’s ranking.
In some industries, weekends witness a decrease in search activity compared to weekdays. This is because people tend to engage in different activities during their leisure time.
Consequently, websites may experience a drop in organic traffic. This may lead you to draw the conclusion that your rankings have dropped, but it’s more likely that less people are searching for keywords related to your industry over the weekend.
To learn more, take a look at our insightful article, ‘Why Has My Organic Traffic Dropped?’.
There is evidence that Google uses user data to inform its algorithm, which could in theory lead to rankings of certain sites dropping over the weekend. However, in the vast majority of sites that we manage this is not the case. It’s worth bearing in mind that if this was the case, some businesses would experience the opposite effect; they may see an increase in rankings.
Over the weekend, many websites undergo technical updates, maintenance or server changes which can temporarily affect website performance, load times and overall user experience. Because search engines consider user experience a crucial ranking factor, this could have an impact on your rankings. However, as long as these updates and maintenance are only temporary, it’s unlikely to lead to a drop in rankings and even if it does it shouldn’t have a lasting impact.
That being said, if your website has a serious problem which causes it to be inaccessible over the weekend and it isn’t repaired until Monday morning, this is more likely to have a negative impact on ranking performance.
For most people, SEO efforts may be reduced during the weekends. However, if your competitors continue optimising their websites or publishing new content on the weekend, they may surpass your website in terms of optimisation or relevance.
This can (but not always) lead to ranking drops. Monitoring your competitor’s activities and adjusting your SEO strategies accordingly can help you stay competitive and minimise ranking fluctuations.
Undertaking an analysis of the factors contributing to ranking drops allows SEO professionals to devise strategies which help prevent it. Whilst it can be discouraging to see ranking drops, think of it as an opportunity to take strategic action!
Here are some of the steps you can take to combat search ranking drops on weekends:
Evaluate technical aspects – First things first, take a proactive approach by thoroughly auditing your website’s technical elements, including site speed, mobile responsiveness and crawlability. In order to fix these issues, it’s best to work with an agency or developer.
To find out more, take a look at our articles, ‘How To Audit Your Site Speed & Performance’ or ‘What is a Technical SEO Audit & Why is it Important?’.
Evaluate content strategy – Take a look at your content strategy to ensure that it aligns with the current search intent, optimising your chances of a favourable ranking. If you’re concerned about weekend drop-offs, it’s important to create content that encourages traffic to your site on a weekend. For example, a site advertising holiday homes in Sheffield may want to create a blog that targets the search term ‘family friendly activities to do in Sheffield’.
Link-building – Engage in practical link-building activities to enhance your website’s authority. A higher domain authority commands stronger ranking potential. For more information, take a look at our insightful article, ‘What Is Link Building?’.
Keyword review – When faced with a significant drop in rankings, it’s important to take a step back and take a look at your chosen keywords. Conduct a thorough analysis of your keywords and search rankings to identify pages that need your attention.You’ll then want to optimise these pages to be better than your competitors. In turn, this should help to create more stable ranking positions.
Seek advice from industry experts – If you are still struggling with ranking drops, you may want to think about reaching out to industry experts or joining online communities to discuss your situation and seek advice.
At Wildcat Digital, we use the latest and most accurate SEO tools to examine search rankings, providing our clients with thorough expert advice about how to manage their search visibility.
At Wildcat Digital, we understand that experiencing a drop in SEO rankings is challenging; however, we encourage you to see it as an opportunity to reassess your website’s optimisation strategy. By conducting a comprehensive analysis of technical elements, content strategy and backlink profile, you can identify areas for improvement and implement necessary measures to regain lost positions.
Remember to stay informed about Google updates and industry news, seek advice from reputable sources and remain persistent. The key to success is not giving up when rankings do not perform the way you want them to. With a well-thought-out approach, you can navigate the fluctuations of search rankings and continue to drive valuable traffic to your website.
Get in touch with our experts today to find out more about your website’s search rankings.
SEO Executive
Founder
Our founder, Will Hitchmough, worked at a number of high profile Sheffield Digital Agencies before founding Wildcat Digital in 2018. He brings an extensive knowledge of all things related to SEO, PPC and Paid Social, as well as an expert knowledge of digital strategy.
Digital Marketing can be a minefield for many businesses, with many agencies ready to take your money without knowing how to deliver results. I founded Wildcat Digital to deliver digital success to businesses with smaller budgets in a transparent way.
Content Strategist Team Lead
With a degree in Marketing and a background in more traditional, offline marketing, Chloe joined Wildcat in 2021 after deciding to move into the digital marketing industry. She joined us as a Content Specialist and quickly moved up the ranks, becoming a Content Strategist and later an SEO Team Leader.
Outside of work, Chloe is an avid creative. If she’s not knitting, you’ll likely find her behind a sewing machine or in the kitchen trying (and often failing!) to make sourdough.
SEO Account Director
Paul has a strong background in SEO, having previously founded and ran a successful eCommerce business, as well as running a personal blog that achieves an average of 17K users per month. Paul’s knowledge of SEO is extensive, with a strong emphasis on client handling and technical SEO.
Outside of work, Paul enjoys spending time with his family and staying active with weight lifting and combat sports.
Head of Operations
Nadea joined Wildcat in 2021 and has since overhauled the way we work. She has a background in various administrative, operations and HR roles, which gave her the experience and skills needed to lead and organise a growing business.
Outside of work, Nadea loves anything that keeps her active, but she especially enjoys hiking, camping and mountain biking.
SEO Account Manager
With a background in sales, Molly is a natural Account Manager, brilliantly handling any issues that come her way. Having joined us as a Digital Marketing Executive, and working part-time through her final year of University, Molly is a shining example of how hard work pays off. She is now an SEO Account Manager with a particular interest in Content and Client Management.
In her spare time, Molly loves to get out in nature, hiking and exploring the Peak District. She also loves cooking and likes to unwind with a bit of yoga.
Senior PPC Account Manager
Libby joined Wildcat in 2021 as our first PPC hire. With a degree in Digital Media Production, a Master’s in Digital Media Management and previous experience in Social Media Management, Libby hit the ground running and has since climbed the ranks to Senior PPC Account Manager and has a particular interest in the eCommerce sector.
Outside of work, Libby likes gaming, and cooking and likes to keep active by lifting weights.
SEO Team Leader
Jasmine joined Wildcat in 2022 with a strong background in SEO and Account Management. At the time, she was finishing up a Level 4 Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and has since worked her way up to SEO Team Leader. Jasmine excels at content writing and promotion, and particularly enjoys finding creative ways to join the dots on multi-channel campaigns.
In her spare time, Jasmine volunteers at a charity, helping combat loneliness & social isolation experienced by older neighbours. Outside of Wildcat, she owns a catering company, Savery Grazing, creating delicious grazing tables & platters for a range of events. She also loves skiing and exploring the Peak District.
Senior PPC Executive
Prior to joining Wildcat, Braden founded and ran his own Social Media Management agency where he gained valuable skills in growing brands’ online presence, which has since proven invaluable in his role at Wildcat.
Outside of work, Braden is a big football fan, regularly travelling to Pride Park to support Derby County. He also enjoys watching and playing snooker, hiking in the Peak District, and attending air and car shows.
Senior SEO Executive
After spending ten years managing businesses, restaurants, cafes and event spaces across Sheffield, Jon decided to change careers and joined Wildcat as an SEO Executive in 2022. He especially enjoys the client management side of the job, helping them to understand digital marketing and ways in which they can build their business’s presence online.
Outside of work, Jon likes to keep fit with running, badminton and football, and also loves music.
SEO Executive
Rachel joined us as a graduate, having recently graduated from Sheffield University with a degree in English Literature. Since joining, Rachel has proven herself to be a Content Queen, and particularly enjoys getting stuck into projects that allow her to explore her creative side.
Outside of work, Rachel enjoys a wide range of hobbies, including rugby, singing, reading, and spending time with her family and three labradors.
PPC Team Leader
Carl joined Wildcat in 2023 with a wealth of experience in PPC. He has experience working with a wide range of clients, industries and budgets, from small local businesses all the way to international e-commerce businesses. Carl has a particular interest in strategic planning and forecasting. He is passionate about data analysis and creating sustainable long-term cross-channel strategies.
In his spare time, Carl enjoys keeping fit by lifting weights, bouldering and running. He’s also a keen musician, having played the double bass and bass guitar for 20 years.
Team Lead & Technical SEO Account Manager
With a degree in Computer Science and SEO experience dating back to 2017, Dariusz has a wide range of SEO skills and knowledge. His specialist knowledge of Technical SEO has firmly landed him the title of Wildcat’s Technical Wizard, and he has recently taken on the responsibility of Team Leader for the Panthers Team.
In his spare time, Dariusz loves hiking, experimenting and trying new coffees and loves learning new things. He is currently learning more about CRO and AI and how this could benefit our clients.
SEO Account Manager
With a degree in Film and TV production, and a varied career history, Jamie made the move to marketing with a Masters degree in Digital Media Management. He has since worked in SEO at Agencies across Sheffield, before joining Wildcat and working his way up to SEO Account Manager. Jamie has a particular interest in backlinks and Digital PR and has recently gained a client a valuable backlink from Forbes!
In his spare time, Jamie is an avid foodie and loves trying new restaurants and cuisines. He also loves to travel and spent a year travelling to Australia after university.
SEO Executive
Andy joined Wildcat in 2023 after starting his digital marketing career in-house for a local Sheffield company. Since joining, he has developed a strong interest in Technical SEO and has strong skills in Account Management.
Outside of work, Andy loves music and plays in a couple of bands. He also enjoys rock climbing, cycling, photography and good food.
Client Success Coordinator
Siena joined us in 2023 with a background in sales and digital marketing. She leads on client relationships across the company, ensuring that our customers are happy throughout their journey with us, from their initial consultation through to onboarding and beyond.
Outside of work, Siena enjoys travelling and getting stuck into the local culture. She likes to make the most of her experiences and particularly enjoys watching sunrises and sunsets from beautiful locations around the world.
Senior SEO Executive
Thea has a wealth of experience in SEO, having previously worked for other Digital Marketing Agencies in Sheffield. She has a particular interest and skills in Technical SEO, but is more than willing to get stuck in and give anything a go.
Outside of work, Thea spends most of her time with her children, but also loves reading, photography and gardening.
PPC Executive
Before joining Wildcat, Tom worked across different industries, building skills in sales and customer service. He later developed a passion for digital marketing whilst working on personal marketing projects and freelance ventures, and gained numerous certifications in PPC and Social Media.
Outside of work, Tom enjoys staying active by going to the gym and hiking. He also loves travelling and motorbiking.
Head of Growth
Rich joined us in May 2024 to head up our growth team. With years of experience helping other agencies to grow, Rich joins us at an exciting time as Wildcat is working on a five-year plan to become one of the biggest agencies in the UK.
Outside of work, Rich is a father to three children, which keeps him very busy! He’s also recently started running again to keep fit and loves a bit of DIY.
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