Google continues to dominate the search engine industry and constantly enhances its ranking algorithm. Among the various updates from Google, the most significant and impactful ones are referred to as "Core Updates." In this article, explore how the latest Google core update can impact SEO with On Digitals.
A Google core update is about the bigger picture, particularly about how the search engine evaluates content overall. Pages that experience changes after a core update have not violated spam policies and do not require fixing. Instead, the update may reward pages that were previously under-rewarded.
Think of the Google core update as a periodic refresh of a music or movies top list. The core update will grant new and deserving content a chance to rank higher.
Google encourages website owners to focus on offering the best content possible, as that is what the algorithms favor. They recommend assessing one’s content using self-evaluation questions and learning how to create helpful, reliable, and user-centric content. Additionally, conducting an audit of impacted pages and seeking external feedback can provide valuable insights into improving search performance.
Recovering from a core update can take time, as they occur every few months. Impacted content may only recover with the release of the next broad update.
However, you do not really need to worry that much, as Google continuously makes updates anyway. They include smaller core updates, which can also lead to content recovery if improvements warrant it.
It is important to note that improvements made by site owners do not guarantee recovery, as search rankings are not static. The ranking depends on the quality and relevance of the content compared to other deserving pages in Google’s search results.
The impact of Google core updates on search engine optimization (SEO) can be significant. SEO involves optimizing your website and its online presence to align with Google’s ranking algorithm. When a core update is rolled out, it brings changes to said algorithms, prompting a change in your own strategies.
All the investment on optimizing your website based on the previous ranking signals may become redundant after a core update. For instance, a core update could negate the positive impact of a ranking signal that previously benefited your website, resulting in a drop in search rankings.
In some cases, core updates can even lead to penalties that severely affect a website’s search rankings. For example, the Panda update imposed penalties on websites with thin content. It significantly altered the landscape for webmasters who previously relied on minimal content to rank high on Google.
Furthermore, core updates can go beyond search rankings; they may also bring changes to Google’s search engine results pages (SERPs). This includes modifications to alternative listings, such as the People Also Ask (PAA) section, featured snippets, and Knowledge Graph panels.
Preparing your website for a Google core update is essential to ensure that it maintains or improves its search rankings. As the algorithm changes, it is important that you are ready to respond to it. Here are some important steps to get your website ready for core updates:
Review Site Architecture: Ensure your website’s structure is logical and easy for both users and search engines to navigate. A clear site architecture helps search engines understand the hierarchy of your content.
Google core update is an integral part of the search engine’s commitment to delivering the best user experience. While they can cause fluctuations in rankings, understanding their impact allows website owners to adapt and improve their SEO strategies continually. By focusing on content quality, user experience, and technical SEO, businesses can stay ahead in the ever-changing SEO landscape.
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