Fake Website Buster…is Done.
I started Fake Website Buster in June 2020 amid the rise in online scams during the coronavirus pandemic. As an average person with self-taught skills in identifying online scams, including fake websites, I decided to leverage my knowledge to help others. Four years later, I must discontinue my efforts due to circumstances beyond my control.
Google Search was always the primary source of traffic for the website, allowing me to assist thousands of people each month and hundreds of thousands each year in staying safe from fake websites or seeking support if they had been scammed. However, in the months following September 2023, traffic from Google Search plummeted to just 3% of its previous average, resulting in a 97% loss. This decline coincided with changes to Google’s search algorithm aimed at eliminating low-quality content.
Google’s major algorithm and spam filter updates in late 2023 and early 2024 were designed to remove low-quality content and prioritize helpful, high-quality material. The update aimed to deliver “fewer results that feel made for search engines” but inadvertently led to a significant boost in AI-generated and SEO-optimized content, including user-generated content from websites like Reddit and Quora, while downranking manually researched and written articles.
As a result, the drastic reduction in traffic has made it impractical for me to continue investing time and effort into researching and writing articles if they are no longer visible in Google Search results. Therefore, Fake Website Buster will remain online for as long as I can afford, but no new articles will be published for the foreseeable future.
Lastly, I want to acknowledge that Fake Website Buster was able to reach and help thousands of people thanks to the visibility provided by Google Search. However, the same platform that once enabled the site’s success has also played a role in its decline. While I overcame challenges such as scammers’ threats and hacking attempts, changes to Google’s algorithms have made it difficult for my work to remain visible. These updates have shifted focus toward AI-generated and SEO-optimised material, reducing the reach of independently researched, human-written content aimed at protecting consumers.
Thank you to everyone who supported Fake Website Buster over the past four years. Your trust and engagement have meant the world to me. Stay vigilant and stay safe.
Sincerely,
James Greening
FAQs
Why did the website traffic drop so drastically?
The drastic drop in traffic is due to changes in Google’s search algorithm, which were implemented to remove low-quality content. These changes led to a significant decrease in the visibility of Fake Website Buster in search results, as the algorithm began surfacing more AI-generated and user-generated content, which reduced visibility for manually researched and written articles.
What are the specific changes Google made to its search algorithm?
Google made changes to its search algorithm and spam filters to reduce low-quality content. The updates aimed to give users “fewer results that feel made for search engines” and to promote helpful and high-quality content. However, this inadvertently downranked genuine, manually researched articles and boosted AI-generated or SEO-maximised content.
Is there any way to access the old articles?
Yes, the existing content on Fake Website Buster will remain accessible as long as the website is live. However, no new articles will be published unless there’s a significant change in how Google ranks the site.
Can we support Fake Website Buster in any way?
Readers can continue to visit the site and share its content to help others stay informed and safe online.
Will you be moving to another platform or starting a new project?
There are no immediate plans to move to another platform or start a new project.
How can we stay updated on your future endeavours?
Updates may be shared through the Fake Website Buster website and through social media channels.
Have you reached out to Google for an explanation or support?
Honestly, I have not attempted to contact Google, as I don’t believe that a Big Tech corporation would care enough to address the concerns of an individual independent content creator.
However, I’m aware that other scam fighters and business owners facing similar issues have tried reaching out to Google, yet their websites and businesses continue to be affected. This suggests that the challenges are widespread and not easily resolved through direct communication.
Can users still contact you for advice on scams?
I can still be contacted through the form on my website or via my social media pages.
How did the drop in traffic impact you personally?
This situation is deeply emotional for me. Fake Website Buster was born from a passion to protect, support, and educate my fellow citizens of the world. I started the website during a low point in my life when I was unemployed amidst a global pandemic where everyone was suffering. Being able to help people while also earning an income was deeply rewarding.
I’ve poured my heart and soul into helping people stay safe from online scams for the past four years, but now it’s time to say goodbye.