Define the affected scope
Start with the page or query that triggered the alert. Note the date range, search type and filters. In SEO Growth Assistant, eligible decay findings compare two consecutive 28-day windows. That comparison is a starting point for investigation, not a diagnosis of the cause.
Keep the absolute loss visible
A dramatic percentage can come from a very small baseline. Record the before and after clicks alongside impressions and position. Assign attention according to the observed loss and the importance of the affected page; a score alone cannot explain business value.
Check alternative explanations
Google’s guidance includes technical issues, changing demand and ranking changes among possible causes. Review whether the pattern affects one page or the whole site before choosing a fix. A change in clicks is not proof that the article is outdated.
Write one investigation task
Use a short record: affected URL, comparison window, observed change, possible explanation, evidence still needed and owner. Keep hypotheses explicitly marked. If a deployment preceded the drop, check that deployment; do not rewrite the page simply because the dates are close.
Measure after the intervention
Record what was changed and when. Compare a later comparable period, keeping filters consistent. If evidence remains sparse, leave the conclusion open. A completed action and a recovered search result are separate outcomes.