Navigating SEO Challenges: Regaining Google Visibility After a DMCA Incident
Hello, SEO Enthusiasts!
I’m reaching out to gather insights from the community regarding a significant hurdle I’m currently facing with my newly launched website. It has been about six weeks since I launched, and I offer a platform dedicated to tracking digital and streaming release dates, along with related news and useful features like a watchlist and notification system.
Early Achievements
Initially, the response to my site was promising:
- Rapid Indexing: Google indexed roughly 10,500 pages within a few days of launch.
- Emerging Traffic: I was excited to see daily unique visits hovering around 30-40, occasionally peaking at about 60.
- Engagement Metrics: According to Posthog, user Engagement was favorable, with an average session duration of around three minutes and a bounce rate of approximately 40%.
- Organic Reach: In the first two weeks, I received around 30,000 impressions largely from Google searches.
The Issue: A Sudden Decline in Google Impressions
However, around May 1st and 2nd, I noticed a dramatic drop in impressions and clicks. My site went from receiving regular traffic to just a few daily impressions (currently between 3-10). This decline coincided with a DMCA takedown notice regarding an informational page that was claimed to infringe on Netflix’s copyright—though the page simply provided non-infringing TMDB data and a “Where to Watch [Legally]” section. I have since submitted a counter-notice, and thankfully, Google has reinstated that particular URL, as I was notified via email about ten days ago.
Current Status
- Google Search Console Insights: The console still shows low impressions and clicks despite the reinstatement, with an average position lingering around 63.
- Traffic from Other Search Engines: Interestingly, traffic from platforms like DuckDuckGo and Bing has been on the rise, accounting for an increasing number of visitors (recently nearing 120 unique visitors a day).
- E-E-A-T Improvements: In an effort to elevate my site’s credibility, I have created comprehensive “About Us,” “Contact Us,” and “How It Works” pages, alongside a focus on the accuracy of my data.
Seeking Guidance:
As I navigate these challenges, I would appreciate your expert advice on several specific concerns:
- **Long-Term Effects of