Racing against time to save my web publishing business

[@tryoskar]

I'm here for it, this is fantastic content Jim. Good luck on your journey, I'll be following it. And happy belated birthday :)

[@JimMakosCom]

Glad you liked it Thomas! And thank you for the wishes! All the best to your new agency!

[@olliep8117]

I empathize totally....I am in the same position....racing against time. What Google has done to smaller publishers is horrible. And the worst thing...even though we may be working like mad to try and "fix" our sites, there is NO guarantee that the things we are doing are the correct ones. Or indeed if there is a way to "fix" a site at all. Maybe once out sites have these HCU "qualifiers" on them, there is no way to get rid of it. Because of the lack of transparency and honesty from Google, we just don't know and we have to guess. I wish you the best of luck to save your business.

[@JimMakosCom]

That's EXACTLY what's going on. We are all doing guesswork here trying to create great content for the user while trying to reverse engineer Google's algorithm by trial and error. And even if you create the greatest piece of content, an update can derank it sometime in the future. How many 10-year-old articles show up in search results today? It seems we need to keep on updating every single article to keep its rankings. On the other hand, it's a competitive world out there. Thanks for the wishes and for watching. Good luck to you and stay strong. ✌️

[@GrantMucha]

@@JimMakosCom this is where things go sideways. > not trying to reverse engineer anything, it's impossible > HCU, while content-focused is more like HEU (helpful everything update, not solely content) > HCU often miss-categorized and actually instead intent-shifts ex: 90k monthly volume broad to 1k volume-specific (not HCU, avoid chasing broad topics) > having audited numerous sites this week, I've seen plenty of content ranking as far back as 2018 (you only republish if you significantly improve content quality, doing so without is even worse) > AI tools like Topic, Rankmath, Surfer, etc. are running sites into the ground if used without owner oversight. If you optimize anywhere near the max of any of these tools and you are beyond over-optimized, jamming in keywords, mixing in miss-matched intent, and making recovery or success impossible. Proactive > Reactive > Inactive > Misdirected 1. Proactive: owners that put in the work and finished prior to Aug. 23, gained from all of the recent updates. (the percentage of owners with this mindset is extremely low) 2. Reactive: those who started late after the fact (Oct-Dec) are starting to recover now after significantly improving everything across their business, brand, website, and content. 3. Inactive: the do-nothing crowd, often influenced into doing nothing by constant stream from misdirected owners, are going to face a long 6-12 month struggle (or give up entirely at this point) 4. Misdirected: have given up entirely, took to posting negatively about everything, everywhere, and spend every minute on everything but their business/success (the noise, infecting mindsets everywhere) Do the things no one else is doing or willing to do! Purpose + Effort + Consistency If your purpose is misaligned, effort and consistency are lost. How to recover, forget everything, stop spending time externally, and focus on quality in the following order: 1. business 2. brand 3. site 4. content > last I note that content is last, as it will be extraordinarily difficult, if not impossible if 1-3 are ignored. As you noted yourself, "even if you create the greatest piece of content", well it's not just about content, and it's been this way for years now. As for the guessing component, if you put quality first in everything, it's easier than you think. However, it's by no means something you'll execute quickly. It will turn into a week-over-week, month-over-month, never-ending pursuit to increase internal quality. And the main problem, most didn't care as long as revenue was flowing and just didn't bother. Have a great weekend!

[@JimMakosCom]

What an insightful reply! Thanks for all the advice, will surely take this into account! 👏 Are you a web publisher or a SEO expert?

[@GrantMucha]

​@@JimMakosCom I made a clear effort and added an authentic reply, which I can no longer see anywhere. With that, limiting my response to, Yes, and Yes, given it makes no sense to invest the time or effort here.

[@JimMakosCom]

You are right! And to think that I wanted to pin your reply somehow! KZbin comment system seems a bit broken if I'm being honest. I can see your comment and our conversation in KZbin studio but when I check the thread on the KZbin video, there are only my replies! I'll make sure to bring this matter up on my social profiles and here in the community posts. I totally understand your frustration and I'll make everything I can to shed light to your authentic reply. Again, I appreciate the time you invested in commenting.

[@GymCrafter]

Thanks for making this. I am in the exact same situation. Running out of money and runway. Determined to fix my site and somehow recover. I wish no one was going through this, but it's nice to know we are not alone. Best of luck to you and all of your efforts!

[@JimMakosCom]

We're definitely not alone. Plenty of horror stories in the SEO subreddit. Be strong and best of luck to you too! How much traffic have you lost?

[@GymCrafter]

2-3k per day has dropped to 150. Income is down 85%.

[@JimMakosCom]

@@GymCrafter Brutal. Are you working on the site or another side project?

[@GymCrafter]

I'm redoing every article on the site with an eye on mobile. First, I designed the site on and for desktop and that was a mistake. I'm adding new content as well as ramping up KZbin significantly as well as Instagram and Facebook to try and drive traffic from there. I've also reached out to many brands to try to help amplify my content as Google seems to think that is a good signal. I've got about 6 to 8 months of runway to turn things around and even working 12 to 14 hours a day, 7 days a week, I'm not sure that that's enough time.

[@JimMakosCom]

⁠​⁠@@GymCrafterSounds like a ton of work but it will likely pay off. Fingers crossed! Good luck! 🤞

[@toyindawudu]

Thank you sharing your story and for the transparency!!! I’m totally rooting for you 🎉🤗

[@JimMakosCom]

Thank you for the support! ✌️

[@ONL-Enthusiast]

Happy birthday Jim! All the best!

[@JimMakosCom]

Thanks! All the best to you, too!

[@SIMPLECLASICS]

The video quality is amazing

[@JimMakosCom]

Thank you! I try my best.

[@jaermertens]

Hi Jim, this video resonated a lot with me, I'm in a similar situation at the moment. Looking forward to following you on your journey! PS such a beautiful video, gorgeous shots! You earned yourself a new subscriber :)

[@JimMakosCom]

Hi Jaer, thanks for dropping by and leaving this very helpful feedback! Much appreciate that! Welcome aboard!

[@mcbrett316]

I'm in a very similar spot as you. Also, focusing on KZbin as my new venture. I'll binge your stuff!

[@JimMakosCom]

Best of luck, Brett! I hope you enjoy watching.

[@ONL-Enthusiast]

yeah well we are all in similar positions. You are being more honest and public about it. So I believe the how-to-turn-this process with a blogging/seo strategy is very interesting. I started to develop 2 blogs and gave up before I published those, and I am now trying to find time to complete this process. There are feelings involved, stress, so the managment of that is very relevant too.

[@JimMakosCom]

Judging by the turmoil in the SEO subreddit, many folks are on the same sinking boat. Stress and anxiety are inevitable when your life turns upside down and life savings are on the line. Stay strong.

[@gremics-gallery]

I am convinced. Subscribed

[@JimMakosCom]

Now, I need to convince myself! Thanks for being part of the journey!

[@RManPT]

Thank you for travelling around the sun with us for another round. You will prevail and thrive. Wish I could help to make it easier for you and your family. Stick together and you all laugh in the future about these struggling times.

[@JimMakosCom]

Let's hope so! A general piece of advice I always keep in my head is: this too shall pass.

[@Γιώργος-π6κ]

Γεια σου φίλε δημήτρη. να χαίρεσαι την οικογένειά σου κενά σε καλά τα γλυκά τα τσάκισες η φαλνταινα. Από της σκύρο τα έστειλε😅

[@JimMakosCom]

Πού να βρω τέτοια γλυκά εδώ Γιώργο! Αλλά εντάξει, δεν έχω παράπονο. Η Θεσσαλονίκη είναι η πόλη των καλοφαγάφων με τόσες επιλογές! Αρκεί να ξέρεις...

[@Γιώργος-π6κ]

@@JimMakosCom πραγματικά η θεσσαλονίκη έχει τα πιο ωραία γλυκά.

[@LifewithMar]

Rooting for you! This update and all of the changes with AI has been terrible for small publishers! It's really sad and discouraging, esp after spending so many years building a biz. I'm also focusing more on YT this year in efforts to diversify a bit.

[@JimMakosCom]

Thanks for the support Marlene! KZbin is great and feels so creative. If only it wasn't so time consuming, though. AI is also disrupting YT but what it can't replicate is real life experience and authenticity.✌️

[@CameraGroove]

Great production. I loved the "health comes first" line until later, at 4:07, we see two grown men driving down a busy street in 2024 while not wearing seatbelts!!

[@JimMakosCom]

Unbelievable and unacceptable! I'm a huge advocate of safety first and seeing myself not wearing the seatbelt feels so out of place (not so for my dad, though 🙄). If I hadn't shot this I wouldn't believe it happened! I must had a lot in my head at the time, but that's not an excuse. Thanks for pointing this out.

[@CameraGroove]

@@JimMakosCom Fair enough. I wish you all the best and I hope you're able to pivot successfully and your income recovers. Unfortunately, I think, sadly, we can both kiss goodbye to free organic google traffic though.

[@DenisJeliazkov]

Your videos are amazing

[@JimMakosCom]

Thanks for your positive feedback, Denis!

[@kajlac]

Good luck! Liked and subscribed!

[@JimMakosCom]

Thanks and welcome!

[@vagelismir]

Η επιτυχία θα ξαναέρθει λόγω του 7:42 στο βίντεο...Να είσαι σίγουρος για αυτό!!! Η αληθινή αγάπη θα τα ανατρέψει όλα!!!

[@JimMakosCom]

Αξία ανεκτίμητη!

[@motorcyclesdream6921]

Me too.. my motorcycle blog destroyed by HCU

[@kostastsakmakis3899]

Go ahead … dear Jim.

[@JimMakosCom]

We keep walking... dear Kostas. ✌️

[@accountantabed-il8ou]

good luck with the videos

[@JimMakosCom]

Thanks, I'll need it ✌️

[@TimExcellent]

At least you’re panicking early, many will be far to late ⏰

[@JimMakosCom]

That's another benefit of budgeting for years and comparing income and expenses YoY consistently. You get to see the picture twelve months ahead and plan accordingly. Thanks for dropping in!

[@divyv20]

Hey Jim , really nice video ! I was wondering if I could help you with Best Quality Editing in your videos which visually appeal to audience and would increase average view duration and will also make a highly engaging Thumbnail which will overall help your videos to reach to a wider audience ? Pls let me know what do you think ?

[@JimMakosCom]

Appreciate the help, but at this point I'm saving every cent I can. Also, producing, filming, and editing are the only fun parts of my life nowadays, so for the time being, I'll do them myself. Thank you for reaching out!

[@SKYWOLF8858]

I also want to make money from websites. I am rooting for your recovery from google updates. What are the websites that you are working on?

[@JimMakosCom]

They are content-based websites. I'm afraid I cannot disclose them.

[@lightyear3429]

Why are you on the verge of bankruptcy after many years of good income? Sounds like overleveraged mortgage? It could have been avoided with outright paid more modest house and multiple income streams. Always assume your current income could disappear tomorrow

[@JimMakosCom]

The mortgage is manageable (10% of our family income). But overspending on cars and not building multiple income streams are the major culprits. I always considered building more income streams, but I was living in my comfort zone for far too long, not taking action. Although I kept on saying that: "well, my main income stream may dry up one day," I never actually believed it, judging by my reaction now. Live and learn.

[@lightyear3429]

@@JimMakosCom I understand... Good luck. You did it once, you can do it again. Maybe consider getting a TikTok presence as well. Throw many stones and at least one will hit the goal

[@MarkusKasanmascheff]

​@@JimMakosComyour self-accountability is great and the lack of defensiveness exemplary. With that clear mindset you will surely overcome this challenge. Good luck!

[@rudymens7006]

@@JimMakosCom I can completely relate to this. I was also well aware that I needed to deversive and look for other income streams. But when you main source of income is doing great, it makes more sense to scale that one up, then investing time to a second income stream. In my case if am mostly hit by SGE, costing my 50% of my revenue.

[@JimMakosCom]

@@MarkusKasanmascheff wow thanks so much for your super kind words and encouragement Markus! Are you in the web publishing business yourself?