Understand why rankings shift, how AI Overviews affect search, and what you can do in diib to stay ahead.
If you’ve noticed keywords disappearing from your rankings, you’re not alone. Search is changing faster than ever, especially with Google’s AI Overviews and other AI-driven results showing answers right on the search page.
This can push traditional website listings further down (or off) the page, making some keywords feel like they’ve “vanished” even though they still exist in searches.
Here are the most common reasons you might see a drop in keyword rankings:
1. AI Overviews & changing search results
AI-generated answers, like Google’s AI Overviews, can replace the need for users to click on traditional links. This means fewer clicks and impressions for certain keywords, even if your content is still relevant.
2. Competitors optimizing faster (and better)
Other sites may be publishing fresh content, improving their on-page SEO, or earning quality backlinks. This can push your rankings down, especially if they’re targeting the same keywords.
3. Algorithm updates
Google regularly updates how it ranks pages. These updates can reshuffle results, sometimes favoring different types of content, formats, or sources.
4. Page or content changes
Even small edits, like removing a section, changing headings, or updating a URL, can cause a temporary drop until search engines re-crawl and re-evaluate the page.
5. Search intent shifts
Over time, what people mean when they search a keyword can change. Google adjusts results to match this new intent, sometimes replacing older ranking pages with different types of content.
6. Seasonal or trending topics
Some keywords naturally peak during certain times of year or when a trend is hot. If the demand drops, so can your ranking visibility.
What you can do in diib:
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Check your My Keywords tab to spot which keywords have dropped and see if competitors have taken those positions.
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Look for AI-friendly opportunities - think clear, direct answers, strong headings, and structured content that could appear in AI Overviews or featured snippets.
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Refresh pages tied to slipping keywords with updated info, examples, or media.
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Explore new keyword opportunities to replace lost ones and diversify your traffic sources.
Keyword drops are a normal part of SEO, but with search changing so quickly, staying agile is key. diib makes it easier to spot changes early, adapt your strategy, and find new ways to grow your traffic in both traditional and AI-powered search.