Killed by Google 🟥💀NDTV issue
In the dynamic world of digital media, few forces are as disruptive as a Google algorithm update. Businesses that rely heavily on organic search traffic know all too well that one significant change from Google can transform success into struggle overnight.
Video Credits To: https://www.youtube.com/@AhrefsCom
This harsh reality was recently illustrated in the YouTube video “The Google Update That Crushed His Business Overnight.” In it, a business owner recounts how his thriving online company collapsed within hours following a sudden update. Years of careful SEO strategies, optimised content, and hard work became virtually useless overnight.
Similarly, the opinion piece published on NDTV, “A Rant on SEO, Growth, and Google by a Digital Media Survivor,” echoes the sentiment of disillusionment. It captures the frustration of many digital entrepreneurs who have watched Google’s “helpful content update” and other changes wreak havoc on their online visibility.
Today, surviving Google’s frequent updates requires more than just technical SEO—it demands brand building, audience loyalty, and constant adaptation.
The Double-Edged Sword of SEO Success
For years, mastering SEO strategies was seen as the ultimate growth hack. Businesses invested heavily in keyword optimisation, backlink building, page speed improvements, and mobile-friendly designs. When done right, SEO could drive massive amounts of free, high-converting traffic from Google.
However, every Google algorithm update changes the rules of the game. Updates like Panda, Penguin, and the more recent “Helpful Content Update” have targeted everything from keyword stuffing to thin content, reshuffling search rankings overnight.
The entrepreneur in the YouTube video followed best practices religiously. His site offered genuinely helpful information, ranked high for competitive keywords, and attracted a steady stream of customers. Yet, when Google’s update prioritised a new, subjective definition of “helpfulness,” his rankings plummeted. Organic traffic fell by over 90%, slashing his revenue and nearly destroying his livelihood.
Google’s “Helpful Content Update” and Its Impact
Google’s “Helpful Content Update,” announced to prioritise human-first content over SEO-first content, seemed reasonable on the surface. Google promised that high-quality, expert-driven content would perform better, while low-value or automated content would be downgraded.
However, as seen in the real-world consequences, many legitimate businesses were caught in the crossfire. Their websites, carefully built using ethical SEO strategies, were punished alongside low-effort spam sites.
This captures a growing feeling in the digital media community: that dependency on Google traffic is like building a skyscraper on shifting sand.
Moreover, the rise of AI-generated search answers (AI Overviews) on Google further reduces the incentive for users to click on actual websites. Google increasingly extracts information directly and serves it in snippets, pushing content creators further down the page.
For digital media companies, bloggers, affiliate marketers, and even e-commerce brands, the impact of Google updates has never been more severe—or more personal.
How to Survive Google Algorithm Updates
Given the unpredictable nature of Google’s algorithm changes, what can businesses do to survive?
Here are key strategies:
1. Build a Recognisable Brand
SEO can drive traffic, but brand loyalty drives revenue. When users actively seek out your brand—typing your URL directly or searching for your name—you are less dependent on Google’s goodwill.
Invest in brand marketing, storytelling, customer experience, and community-building efforts. A strong brand is your best defence against future updates.
2. Diversify Your Traffic Sources
Never rely solely on organic search traffic. Explore email marketing, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, podcasts, and direct partnerships. Build your own email list and community, so that you have owned audiences rather than rented ones.
As the NDTV article points out, “growth hacks are dead.” True resilience lies in owning your customer relationships.
3. Focus on Quality and Authority
Moving forward, SEO strategies must focus less on mechanical optimisation and more on genuine value. Demonstrate deep expertise, cite authoritative sources, provide original research, and focus on solving real problems for your audience.
Google’s E-E-A-T framework (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) is here to stay. Invest in becoming a proper authority in your niche.
4. Monitor Algorithm Changes Closely
Stay informed about upcoming Google algorithm updates by following trusted SEO news sources like Search Engine Journal, Moz, or Google’s own Search Central Blog. React quickly but intelligently. Don’t panic, but don’t ignore red flags either.
Being proactive can make the difference between riding the wave and getting crushed by it.
5. Own Your Content Distribution
Publish content on platforms you control—your website, your email list, your app, if possible. Platforms like Medium, Instagram, and even YouTube are still vulnerable to algorithm changes. Your safest bet is to keep as much ownership over your audience interactions as possible.
Conclusion: Google’s Power Over the Internet
The internet was once a place of equal opportunity. Today, Google’s immense power over discovery and visibility means that digital success is more precarious than ever.
For entrepreneurs and creators who rely on SEO, the lessons are stark:
- Never trust that today’s best practices will be tomorrow’s.
- Don’t build your future on a platform you don’t control.
- Brand loyalty, true value creation, and audience ownership are the only sustainable SEO strategies in 2025 and beyond.
The stories of crushed businesses—like the one shared on YouTube—and the bitter reflections of survivors—like those in the NDTV opinion piece—should serve as warnings to all digital players.
The only real SEO strategy now is resilience.
Because one thing is guaranteed: another Google update is coming.
