Should I rewrite or update an old article that does not rank?

First identify whether the problem is demand, content or website technology. If the topic is still useful, improving the existing page is usually easier to maintain and build on. Consider merging pages when their topics overlap.

Does this article answer the right question?

Review search results and real customer needs. Is the content outdated, off-topic or missing an important comparison or condition? Fill those gaps and make sure related pages link to it.

If the page is not indexed at all, address access and indexing first. If it already gets impressions, investigate its title, relevance and clicks.

Update the date when you make a meaningful improvement

Changing a few words or the publication date does not make content more useful. If several articles answer almost the same question, combine them into a complete answer and redirect genuinely equivalent old URLs to it.

Outdated content without replacement value may also be removed. Before deciding, check whether the original still attracts suitable visitors or inquiries.