How We Helped A Language Learning Platform Recover From Google’s Core Updates

Our client, a leading language learning platform, was hit hard by Google’s December 2020 Core Update.

Despite being a leader in the industry, recovering from the hit was no easy feat.

We set to work, and within a few years, the number of backlinks recovered.

Better yet, organic traffic increased by more than 250% to over 1 million monthly visitors—a testament to the high-quality links we built.

Fast forward to early 2023, and the company launched a new subdomain to target the English-speaking market.

This, too, was affected by Google’s updates, leading to another drop in traffic and backlinks.

Here’s how we helped them once again rebuild links, boost organic traffic, and prevent competitors from swooping in to take their spot in Google’s SERPs.

💡 Our Strategy

Here’s what we did to help our client recover from the double hit of Google’s updates:

✅ We moved fast to rebuild the links they lost. We focused on authoritative, high-DR sites that would regain our client’s credibility in the eyes of the search engine.

✅ We zeroed in on bottom-of-the-funnel (BOFU) prospects that would attract users who are ready to convert.

✅ We built links directly to our client’s home page and used branded key terms in the anchor text to reinforce brand recognition.

By focusing on links that regained authority and targeted ready-to-convert customers, we positioned our client to reclaim lost ground and keep their traffic growing.

⛰️ The challenges

Our client faced stiff competition from well-established language-learning brands with high DRs:

• berlitz.com (DR 75)
• Duolingo (DR 87)
• rosettastone.com (DR 79)
• lingvist.com (DR 67)
• rocketlanguages.com (DR 70)

⭐ Our solution

Our approach involved securing links from high-DR websites and content hubs where users search for recommendations on language learning platforms:

✅ Top-10 roundups: We aimed for inclusion in roundup articles where users who are already in the decision-making phase search for recommendations.

Getting links on high-DR pages like these was critical for attracting traffic with strong buying intent:

We built links with relevant, high-quality, reputable websites like these:

• uiowa.edu (DR 87)
• fluentu.com (DR 75)
• clozemaster.com (DR 52)
• nova.edu (DR 80)
• trainingindustry.com (DR 79)

🚀 The Results

Thanks to our link-building efforts, our client saw a swift recovery in both traffic and rankings:

✅ Referring domains grew from 72 to 299, which drastically improved their backlink profile and overall authority:

✅ Our client ranked for 420 keywords, which included top-3 rankings for 42 keywords.

✅ Our client made it to a page-one position for extremely competitive, high-value terms such as:

• Language learning websites (KD 95)
• Learn languages (KD 96)
• Language learning sites (KD 89)
• Language learning websites for students (KD 85)

✅ Their traffic bounced back from a low of under 2,000 monthly visitors to just under 15,000 visitors per month.

✅ Traffic value increased by $15,000.

✅ We managed to get 145 links from high-DR, high-traffic sources.

🔥 Get Your SEO on Track After Google Updates

Facing a drop in traffic or losing ground to competitors?

We helped our client recover from two Google updates by securing high-quality backlinks that restored their traffic in a fiercely competitive market.

If you're ready to boost your traffic and reclaim your spot, book a free strategy call today!