Took over a new client's SEO and their GBP rankings tanked immediately

[acharlton]

I didn't even touch their GBP yet. But, interestingly, their rankings tanked much harder for keywords that were (a) not in their name and (b) not in their primary category. They're a window & door replacement company and 'windows' is in their name & category but 'door' is not. They tanked harder for all their door keywords. They had been ranking #1-3 for 10-20 miles out for uber-competitive keywords in a dense large urban area, but now rank only around their shop as I would normally expect.

My assessment is that their former SEO was almost certainly using CTR manipulation.

What do you do in this case?

Please be honest. If you don't want to say publicly, then feel free to DM me, and I will share your response anonymously.

Thank you!

 

[Brian - TGL]

What changes were made to the website for the GBP?

 

[acharlton]

There were no detectable changes to either. This happened immediately, before I could make any changes.

 

[LightOfHeaven]

I doubt you taking over had anything to do with that. Pure coincidence, I say stick to your plan and do not make up problems that are not there
(unless you ran the scan while they were closed)

 

[acharlton]

I doubt you taking over had anything to do with that. Pure coincidence, I say stick to your plan and do not make up problems that are not there
(unless you ran the scan while they were closed)

I will explain again: The previous SEO was using a CTR manipulation tool. They shut it off when they lost the client. I gained the client and now the rankings are terrible 10 days later. I have proof of the manipulation from the ranking grids (current vs last report from the previous SEO) and weird metrics in the GSC.