What is Content Decay?
Content decay refers to the gradual decline in search rankings, traffic, and relevance of previously published content over time due to outdated information, changing search algorithms, or increased competition.
Ecommerce SEO Glossary > Content Marketing > Content Decay
What You Need to Know about Content Decay
Regular Content Audits Prevent Decay
Systematically reviewing content performance identifies declining pages before they lose significant traffic and rankings.
Update Statistics and Data Regularly
Fresh data and current statistics help maintain content relevance and search engine trust over time.
Refresh Outdated Examples and References
Current examples and case studies keep content valuable and demonstrate ongoing industry knowledge.
Monitor Competitor Content Improvements
Tracking competitor updates reveals when your content needs enhancement to maintain competitive rankings.
Expand Thin Content Sections
Adding depth to previously shallow sections improves content quality and helps recover lost search visibility.
Optimize for New Search Intent
User search behavior evolves, requiring content updates to match current intent and query patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions about Content Decay
1. How often should I audit content for decay?
Quarterly audits work for most sites, though high-competition niches may need monthly reviews of top-performing pages.
2. Can old content hurt my site’s overall rankings?
Yes, outdated content can signal low quality to search engines and reduce your site’s overall authority and trust.
3. What are the first signs of content decay?
Declining organic traffic, dropping keyword rankings, and reduced time on page typically indicate content decay.
4. Should I update or delete decaying content?
Update valuable content with good backlinks and traffic potential, but delete thin content that can’t be meaningfully improved.
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