Published on March 22, 2023
Google Search is constantly evolving to ensure users receive helpful and reliable search results. We will walk you through the intricacies of Google core updates and provide guidance on optimizing your website’s content to align with these changes.
Google releases significant changes to its search algorithms and systems several times a year, referred to as core updates. These updates do not target specific pages or sites, nor do they penalize content that adheres to Google’s spam policies. Instead, core updates focus on improving the way Google’s systems assess content, ultimately rewarding high-quality content that may have been previously under-rewarded.
Picture core updates like this: In 2021, you curated a list of the top 100 movies. Fast forward to 2024, and you decide to update the list. New, deserving movies have been released, and your evaluation of some films may have changed. As a result, your list will naturally shift, but that doesn’t mean the previously highly-ranked movies are now bad—there are just more deserving films taking their place.
While there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with content that experiences changes after a core update, you may still want to take action to optimize your website’s performance. Focus on providing the best possible content, as Google’s algorithms are designed to reward high-quality, user-centric content.
To ensure your content is successful, refer to Google’s help page on creating helpful, reliable, people-first content. Conduct a thorough audit of your website, identifying pages most affected by core updates and evaluating them against Google’s self-assessment questions. Consider seeking honest feedback from unaffiliated individuals to gain an unbiased perspective on your content’s performance.
Broad core updates occur every few months, and websites affected by these updates may not recover until the subsequent core update, assuming improvements have been made. However, Google constantly updates its search algorithms, including smaller core updates, which may result in content recovery if warranted.
Remember that making improvements to your website does not guarantee recovery, nor does it ensure a permanent position in search results. As more deserving content is published, it will continue to rank well within Google’s system.
Staying abreast of Google’s core updates is essential for maintaining a competitive edge in the ever-changing digital landscape. By focusing on creating high-quality, user-centric content and regularly assessing your website’s performance, you can better position yourself to benefit from Google’s ongoing algorithm improvements. Stay informed and adapt to stay ahead in the world of search.
