Content Decay

Content decay is the gradual loss of a page's usefulness, relevance, visibility, or performance over time. An old landscaping article may no longer reflect current equipment, service offerings, or local practices, while a once-helpful FAQ might answer a question customers no longer ask. Falling traffic alone does not prove content decay: seasonality, tracking changes, and competition can also explain a decline. Reviewing accuracy, search intent, and user behavior helps determine whether to refresh, consolidate, or retire a page. Unlike a content refresh, which is an action, content decay describes a potential condition requiring investigation.