I have 60k SEO pages. Google just de-indexed about 75% but Google traffic is also increasing rapidly.

Understanding the Paradox: When De-Indexed Pages Coexist with Growing Search Traffic

In the ever-evolving landscape of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), website owners often encounter unexpected patterns that challenge conventional wisdom. One such intriguing scenario involves large-scale web pages experiencing significant de-indexing, yet observing a concurrent surge in organic traffic. Let’s explore this phenomenon through a real-world example and discuss its implications for SEO strategy.

The Case of 60,000 SEO Pages Focused on Local Content

Consider a website that hosts approximately 60,000 pages dedicated to localized content, each structured around a specific geographic area, such as “My Content in .” Historically, Google successfully indexed about 55,000 of these pages, resulting in a steady increase in organic traffic over six months.

However, a recent development saw Google de-index the majority of these pages—around 75%—leaving only approximately 15,000 pages visible in search results. Surprisingly, rather than experiencing a decline, the site’s search traffic continues to grow rapidly, with regular milestones emphasizing this upward trend.

Is This Normal or a Cause for Concern?

At first glance, it seems counterintuitive: a large portion of the pages being de-indexed, yet search traffic increases. This raises valid questions:

• Does de-indexing indicate a problem?
  Not necessarily. Google periodically re-evaluates the content it indexes, sometimes de-prioritizing pages that offer less value or are deemed redundant. If the remaining indexed pages target more relevant or high-intent keywords, they can generate more traffic despite the overall reduction in indexed pages.

• Are less popular locations being de-indexed selectively?
  That’s a plausible scenario. Google might be prioritizing the most relevant or high-traffic pages, especially if other pages are less unique, outdated, or not aligned with current search intents.

• Should I be concerned about losing these pages?
  If your goal is to provide comprehensive local coverage, losing some pages might seem undesirable. However, if the remaining pages are more optimized and relevant, the overall quality and Engagement could improve, resulting in better search performance.

Possible Explanations for the Phenomenon

Several factors can contribute to this seemingly paradoxical situation:

1. Algorithmic Focus on Quality Over Quantity
   Google continues to prioritize high-quality, authoritative, and relevant content. If older or less popular pages are deemed lower quality,

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