What’s Google Core Update?

Google’s core updates are significant changes to its search algorithm, aiming to improve the quality of search results for users. These updates help Google understand and rank websites better, ensuring that users get the most relevant, high-quality information when they search for something. Since millions of websites compete for top spots in search results, these updates can drastically impact how websites perform in search rankings.

In this article, we will break down the concept of a Google core update, explain why these updates happen, how they affect websites, and what you can do to ensure your website stays on top of the rankings.

What is a Google Core Update?

A Google core update is a broad change to Google’s search algorithm, which is the system Google uses to rank websites in search results. These updates typically occur several times a year and are meant to improve how Google delivers search results by assessing various factors like relevance, content quality, and user experience. When a core update is rolled out, some websites might see their rankings go up, while others may notice a drop in their search rankings.

Core updates don’t target specific websites or types of content. Instead, they look at the overall picture of how well websites are providing valuable, trustworthy, and accurate information to users. This is why some websites may see their rankings shift even if they haven’t made significant changes to their content.

Why Does Google Release Core Updates?

Google’s primary goal is to give users the best possible experience when they search for information. To achieve this, the search engine constantly updates its algorithm to understand websites better and rank them based on quality and relevance.

1. Improving Search Quality: Core updates help Google filter out low-quality content, which might have previously ranked high due to outdated SEO tactics. By improving the algorithm, Google can better identify high-quality content, ensuring users find the most relevant information.
2. Adapting to Changing Trends: As the internet evolves, so do the types of searches people make. Core updates allow Google to adapt to these changes. For instance, the rise of mobile searches, voice search, and new types of content like video and podcasts require changes to how websites are ranked.
3. Fighting Spam and Low-Quality Content: Google aims to prevent spammy websites or those filled with low-value content from ranking high. Core updates help the algorithm become smarter in detecting and filtering out such content.
4. Ensuring Trust and Authority: With core updates, Google often prioritises websites that demonstrate experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (E-E-A-T). This is particularly important in areas like health, finance, and law. E-E-A-T has become a key factor in Google’s ranking criteria, ensuring that high-quality and reliable content rises to the top.

How Do Google Core Updates Impact Websites?

Google core updates can have a significant impact on websites, affecting their search engine rankings. Some websites may benefit from these updates by climbing higher in search results, while others may see a drop in their rankings.

Positive Impact

When a website experiences a positive effect from a core update, it usually means that Google recognises the site as providing valuable, high-quality content. If your site gains higher rankings after a core update, it likely means your content aligns with what Google is looking for — such as useful information, good user experience, and trustworthiness.

Negative Impact

On the other hand, some websites may see a sudden drop in rankings after a core update. This does not necessarily mean the website is being penalised, but rather that other websites are now being considered more relevant or valuable for the same search terms. It’s important to note that a decrease in rankings doesn’t mean the content is bad, but it may not be as aligned with the search queries Google is focusing on.

No Visible Impact

Some websites may not notice any significant changes at all after a core update. In these cases, the site’s content might already be well-optimised and offering value that aligns with Google’s current standards.

What Should You Do After a Google Core Update?

If your website is affected by a core update, the first step is not to panic. Core updates can lead to temporary fluctuations in rankings, and it’s important to take a measured approach to any changes you make. Here are steps you can take to respond to a Google core update:

1. Assess Your Content

Take a look at your website’s content to ensure it provides real value to users. Google advises website owners to focus on creating high-quality content that demonstrates expertise and meets the needs of searchers. Consider asking yourself the following questions:

• Does my content provide original information, reporting, research, or analysis?
• Is the content trustworthy, and does it cite reputable sources?
• Is the article well-written, free from spelling or grammar mistakes?
• Does my content offer a comprehensive answer to the user’s query?

2. Focus on E-E-A-T

Google’s focus on Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) means your content should be written by experts or at least be fact-checked by credible sources. To improve your E-E-A-T:

• Experience: Ensure your content is created by someone who has first-hand experience with the topic. If you’re writing a review or tutorial, for example, make sure the person writing it has actually used the product or followed the process.
• Expertise: Show that the content is written by experts or that it has been thoroughly fact-checked by authoritative sources.
• Authoritativeness: Build your website’s authority by regularly publishing high-quality, well-researched content and linking to credible sources.
• Trustworthiness: Ensure your website is transparent, with clear information about who is behind the content, including author bios and references to reputable sources.

3. Improve User Experience

A good user experience can positively affect your search rankings. Here are some ways to enhance the experience for visitors on your site:

• Make sure your website is mobile-friendly.
• Improve site speed to decrease load times.
• Ensure your site is easy to navigate, with a clear structure and logical flow.

4. Monitor Analytics

Pay attention to your website’s analytics to see where the changes are happening. Check which pages are experiencing the biggest fluctuations in rankings and try to identify patterns. This can give you insights into which types of content are performing well and where you may need to improve.

5. Avoid Quick Fixes

It’s essential to understand that Google core updates are about long-term improvements to search quality. Quick fixes, like stuffing keywords or making minor technical adjustments, won’t significantly improve your rankings after a core update. Focus on delivering real value and continuously improving your website.

Misconceptions About Google Core Updates

Many website owners worry about being “penalised” after a core update, but it’s important to note that core updates are not penalties. They are adjustments to how Google evaluates content. Google doesn’t target specific websites with core updates, but the shift in rankings can feel like a penalty when a site drops significantly. However, the drop simply means that other content is now seen as more relevant for certain searches.

Another misconception is that you can “fix” the effects of a core update overnight. It’s a long-term process that requires focusing on user experience, high-quality content, and aligning with Google’s guidelines.

Key Takeaways

1. Google Core Updates are broad changes to the search algorithm that improve how websites are ranked in search results.
2. Relevance and Quality are the primary focus of core updates, ensuring users find the most helpful and accurate information.
3. E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) plays a crucial role in how Google evaluates content, especially in sensitive areas like health and finance.
4. Website Rankings can fluctuate after a core update, and it’s important to focus on long-term strategies for improving content quality and user experience rather than quick fixes.
5. Staying Informed about Google’s updates and best practices is essential for maintaining a strong presence in search results.

In conclusion, Google core updates are a part of the ongoing evolution of the search engine’s algorithm. They ensure that the search results are relevant, high-quality, and tailored to meet users’ needs. For website owners, the best approach is to focus on content that provides value, demonstrates experience, expertise, and authority, and offers a great user experience. Over time, these efforts will pay off, and your website will be better positioned to thrive, no matter how the algorithm changes.