One Blogging Mistake That Is Reducing Your Traffic (And How to Fix It Now)

Many bloggers struggle to drive traffic to their blogs, and one common mistake I've noticed while visiting many new blogs through their Google profiles is leaving outdated links on their profiles. Ever since Google shut down Google+, which I consider one of Google's biggest missteps, this issue has become more common. Google+ was a fantastic platform for connecting bloggers, sharing blog posts, and resolving blogging challenges, thanks to the wealth of information shared there. Now, without Google+, you can no longer view a blogger's profile directly without clicking on their Google account or visiting their blog URL. Unfortunately, many bloggers still have outdated, nonfunctional blogs linked to their profiles, leading to an increase in bounce rate.

What is Bounce Rate?

I’ve explained this in a previous post, but here’s a quick recap: bounce rate refers to the percentage of single-page visits on your website, where a visitor leaves without interacting further. It’s calculated by dividing the number of single-page visits by the total visits and then representing that as a percentage. A high bounce rate often indicates that visitors are not engaging with your content.

The Problem

When a visitor clicks on your Google profile and finds multiple links, they might accidentally click on one of your outdated blogs. When they realize the blog is inactive, they often close your profile altogether, without checking other links. Even if they do go back and click on an active link, their initial disappointment may lead to spending less time reading your content, which can still contribute to a higher bounce rate.

How to Fix This Issue

1. Remove Non-Functional Links From Your Google Profile

Go through your Google profile and remove links to old or inactive blogs. Only leave links to blogs that are active and regularly updated.

2. Prioritize Updated Blogs

If you manage multiple blogs, make sure the most frequently updated blog appears as the first link on your profile.

3. Include Post Dates

Display the date on each of your blog posts. This helps visitors see that your blog is active and that the content is current.

4. Craft Engaging Headlines

Create headlines that grab attention and entice readers to click. Your opening sentence should be intriguing, the main answers or key points should be in the middle of the post, and your conclusion should tie everything together effectively.

5. Solve problems

Whether it's business blogging, fashion, travel, food, religious, or comedy blogging, content creation, or anything else, it's always a pleasure to share those wonderful photos, ideas, and experiences with readers. But do you know what's even more helpful? Using your content to solve problems. What do I mean by this? For instance, if you are a travel blogger who shares beautiful photos, consider sharing information with your readers about the route you took, the website you used to book your flight, the best café to eat in that city, or any other experience you have that could help another person enjoy their journey at that location and ease stress. 

I remember perusing a blog post by a blogger who visited the Maldives. Despite the abundance of sunny summer photos on the internet, I never considered the possibility of more rainy days on this archipelago island. However, after reading that blog, I discovered that the Maldives experience more wet season months than dry season months. This means that visiting during the dry season is better, as it enables you to explore the city, enjoy the beach, and enhance your overall holiday experience.

The post was packed with lots of information that anyone who is traveling to the Maldives for the first time needs to read. It is a complete ready-to-travel-to-Maldives guide, which I love so much, and the way it was shared felt organic and from a personal point of view. These types of posts not only rank higher but also consistently drive traffic to the blog over time. It remains relevant as long as it solves problems.

If you share reviews, make sure they are sincere (I will write more about this) and avoid plagiarism in the process. It is preferable to have a post with numerous mistakes that is organically written rather than one that is perfectly written by AI, as the algorithm can distinguish between the two. Additionally, using AI-generated content diminishes your creativity and increases your dependence on these tools. The human brain is capable of describing any scenario or giving any detail better than AI; the more you use your brain, the better it becomes.

While you are at this, be sure to not put so much pressure on yourself. Organic traffic takes a positive process and is always the best way to grow your blog.

I hope these tips help! If you have any additional suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments below.