The world of SEO is constantly changing, especially with regard to changes in Google algorithms. Such updates, also known as Google Core Update, produce a significant impact on Google’s SERP rankings and its search results, affecting a website’s organic traffic.
This article was born with the idea and need that we had after suffering for years from the modifications that Google makes to its algorithms. This historical review will go from the first to the last Google Core Update, where you can see how it has affected the content and user experience.
What is the Google Core Update?
A Google Core Update is a relevant update to the search algorithm that Google executes from time to time. These changes aim to improve the relevance and quality of the search results shown to users, by readjusting the factors that determine the positioning of web pages in the organic results displayed by the search engine.
But… Why are they important? It is clear that these updates represent a change in the way Google values the information offered by websites and classifies them. This usually affects, for better or worse, the results and existing organic traffic, so it is necessary to stay updated and optimize the content according to Google recommendations so that the user can find the site useful.
You can track it in the Google search status panel, where you can see not only the latest Core Updates with their respective date but also the Spam Updates.
Google Core Update August 2024
The last Google Core Update took place on August 15, 2024, bringing with it several significant changes that impacted each website in different ways. This update reinforces the focus on content quality and user experience, which could positively or negatively impact the organic traffic of many websites, something we will show you a little later.
The main changes introduced by this update were:
- Emphasis on quality of results: Google prioritizes original, useful and relevant content, even from small or independent sites.
- Focus on user experience: As we can see, pages that are optimized only for SEO are no longer valued as much, but rather those that provide a good browsing experience.
- User feedback: This update appears to take into account feedback from creators and users, modifying its influence on sites that were negatively affected in previous updates.
Impact on websites
Following these updates, websites often show fluctuations in their positioning and traffic. The truth is that Google does not penalize directly, but the changes reflect a new way of evaluating the quality of the content based on user queries. At this point, the main recommendations remain the same as always: create quality content focused on users, to offer useful, reliable and creative answers.
At our SEO agency team, we have noticed that some websites belonging to our clients have experienced minor ups and downs following the date on which the Core Update of August 15 was implemented, as can be seen in this case:
On the contrary, we have been able to notice that, thanks to a series of optimizations and implementations that we have worked on over the last few months, the impression and click rate of the Enjoy Minder website has had a positive impact.
It seems that Google has finally pulled the trigger to reward efforts focused on improving the quality and relevance of content.
Google Core Update March 2024
The last update of the Google Core Update is March 5, 2024. According to what is said, it has entailed revolutionary changes in the Google algorithm, reflecting a wide variety of changes, similar to what the launch of Penguin entailed in distant 2012.
This update has not only improved the core of the ranking algorithm, but has also introduced a new ranking system that prioritizes the trustworthiness of published content. What is this about? Simple: the arrival of AI (artificial intelligence). The goal is to elevate quality content and integrate it into the main results.
The key components that are part of this new Google update are:
- Core Ranking Algorithm – These are the fundamental adjustments to further prioritize the quality and relevance of content in search results.
- Useful Content System – Integrating this initiative allows the ranking algorithm to highlight genuinely useful and valuable content for users.
- New spam policies and improvements to spambrain – This is the introduction of stricter policies against various forms of spam, reinforced by improved SpamBrain AI.
What impact has this had on the SEO community and digital marketing in general? The truth is that the SEO world has greatly resented these modifications since low-quality content has begun to be massively eliminated from Google search results. This obviously highlights the need and importance of focusing on quality and reliability.
How to protect yourself from these updates?
The best way to recover and protect yourself from this update is to closely follow Google’s guidelines and remove useless content from each site, as this is considered by search engines when recommending a site and assigning it an Authority Score. authority). This is a numerical value that references the general quality and SEO of the site, demonstrating authority and security.
Another great recommendation is that you be able to avoid spam tactics and focus on the EEAT, that is, creating quality content that demonstrates Excellence, Experience, Authority and Trustworthiness.
Google Core Update November 2023
The Google Core Update on November 2, 2023 kept the SEO community in suspense by implementing significant adjustments to the ranking algorithm. At this point, Google’s tendency towards quality content that favors the user experience so that sites are positioned better was already beginning to be noticed.
Likewise, it is also worth clarifying that sites with Evergreen content (timeless, that is, they are not trends that appear and disappear) and add information directly to their search results through PAA (people also ask in English), which are the Frequently asked questions, also known as “More questions” or “Other user questions” on Google.
Benefited and harmed by the Core Update
Although it is not entirely true to entrust certain sectors as “Benefited” or “Lost”, it is true that many sites were able to show broadly positive results from the application of these changes. The case of Wikipedia and/or dictionaries is the most notable, since Google positioned extracts of its content in the search results seen in the SERP PAAs.
In the case of the most affected sectors , we cannot fail to mention the media and news pages that, above all, are not updated. If they are updated, then Google will prioritize only those that are most relevant to the user.
These results, on the news pages, are due in part to the QDF (Query Deserves Freshness) factor. This is a Google algorithm that adjusts search rankings based on the novelty of the content required by a search query. When an unexpected event occurs or a topic is trending, Google gives preference to new, timely content over older, possibly outdated pages.
Google Core Update October 2023
The October 5, 2023 Google Core Update was notable for perfecting the search experience for shopping-related queries. Google recalibrated its algorithm to highlight the relevance and usefulness of content in this specific context. The emphasis was placed on two key aspects:
- Useful and updated content
- Accuracy in the information provided
This means that websites that offer valuable and relevant content to buyers are more likely to stand out in search results. The importance of keeping content fresh and relevant to visitors was further underlined, as accuracy and freshness are key factors in meeting user needs.
Google Core Update August 2023
I present to you the Google Core Update of August 22, 2023. This update was already beginning to suggest changes in terms of the quality and evaluation of the content that the sites had. Furthermore, Google emphasized on two main aspects; domain authority and link quality. Instead of simply valuing the reputation of the site providing the link, the update highlights the importance of the link providing value to the user.
Does this mean links are everything? Well no, but they do matter. Links should expand information, support arguments, simplify concepts, or direct users to relevant products, services, or resources. The key is to understand that the quality of the contribution that the link offers to the user is more important than the reputation of the site that provides it.
This change reflects Google’s evolution towards a more user-centric approach, where relevance and usefulness are the main criteria for determining the quality of search results.
Google Core Update March 2023
During the March 15, 2023 Google Core Update, a significant increase in ranking volatility was observed , marking a notable deviation from previous updates. This notable increase in volatility could be seen both on desktop computers and on mobile devices, such as tablets or smartphones.
In addition to what has been mentioned, it is worth noting that higher volatility scores were detected in the Shopping and Arts & Entertainment sectors.
Google Core Update September 2022
The last update of the year 2022 (September 12) impacted the same areas as the Google Helpful Content Update. In this case, emphasis was placed on disfavoring content that:
- It was made with AI (Artificial Intelligence)
- Lacks unique and user value
- Be made to meet the needs of search engines
To drive this, questionnaires were sent out to assess the reliability and quality of the content, helping editors understand whether they were meeting the new expectations set by the update.
This update only deepened the problem left by the Core Update in May, which resulted in the massive cleaning of content by website owners whose content was of little use to users.
Google Core Update May 2022
The May 25, 2022 update primarily affected search results, as it focused on improving the efficiency of searches made by users. Its main focus was the EAT (Experience, Authority and Trust) of the contents. The rich snippets displayed in the Google SERP, in addition to FAQs, began to gain more importance, as did images and videos.
Now, the objective was to get Google to capture the relevant content of an article and place it in the FAQs or in the featured snippet. In that sense, it is entirely possible to affirm that specialized content began to gain ground over general content (mostly done with AI), negatively affecting e-commerce sites.
Google Core Update November 2021
Let’s now go to the Google Core Update that took place on November 17, 2021. At this point in history, and with a pandemic upon us all, the SEO community was very attentive to the reports reflected by Google Analytics and Search Console to evaluate the impact on websites.
SEMrush reported that the update was 12% more unstable than the one in July, with a greater impact on mobile devices than desktops (23% more). The healthcare industry saw a 41% increase in result fluctuations, and 16% of the top 20 ranked URLs before the update saw a deterioration in their rankings.
Fluctuations were also detected in the health, finance and travel sectors, but not in sales. For example, the most popular sites in sales experienced changes in their first positions (top 10). We could talk about losers and winners, but the truth is that these falls are not definitive and the changes are seen day by day, so it will be a matter of optimizing the sites, polishing the content and removing everything that is not useful for the user..
Google Core Update July 2021
The GCU, which took place on July 1, 2021, was done to improve the user experience on the site, generating changes and modifications that were noticed by many SEO specialists. Some of these changes include:
- Variation in keyword position
- Loss of website visibility
- Fluctuating positioning in recent days
- Decrease in impressions and clicks
But why does this happen? Basically, Google is prioritizing pages that offer quality content and relevant Core Web Vitals topics, which include LCP (largest content loading time), CLS (visual page stability), and FID (page response time). browser after user interaction). These factors directly benefit the user experience on a website, which is reflected in its positioning in search results.
So that you can access this data, it is as simple as using the Google tool called PageSpeed Insights, which now has a function integrated into the Lighthouse extension.
Google Core Update June 2021
The Google Core Update on June 28, 2021 brought significant changes to the visibility of search results. For example, when searching for the word “correctional,” reference results from Wikipedia and online dictionaries are now prioritized over other content, such as “The Juvenile Correctional Center,” among other examples.
Among the main factors to highlight from this new update, it is worth highlighting:
- User experience: The algorithm began prioritizing pages that offer a positive experience and unique, quality content. It is essential that the pages are functional, reliable and optimized for mobile devices.
- Mobile optimization: sites that are better optimized for mobile devices obtain greater benefits in terms of their positioning, since a very high percentage of users enter from that type of device.
- Secure browsing with HTTPS: it is becoming completely mandatory for websites to be protected with “HTTPS” SSL certificates to guarantee the security of users, since Google can choose to deindex sites that do not do so or, failing that, affect your traffic and positioning.
- Guidelines on external elements that are intrusive: It is recommended to avoid the use of intrusive pop-ups that may affect the user experience.
Google Core Update December 2020
On December 3, Google released what was its last Core Update of 2020. In it, a significant change in the search algorithm was represented.
Unlike updates like Panda and Penguin, which focused on specific aspects like content quality and link profiles, the Core Update affects the entire Google algorithm. It is a comprehensive rewrite that influences all aspects of search ranking.
What is the problem in all this? You’re probably wondering… and the truth is that, taking this into account, it is very complex to determine the real reason why a website can lose or gain traffic after a Core Update.
Google Core Update May 2020
The Google Core Update on May 4, 2020 introduced many changes to search results, SEOs were able to see the appearance of new results that Google was prioritizing even more, such as images, rich snippets, and videos. Additionally, a greater emphasis on the local results of each country began to be noticed, with Google once again focusing on health, financial and legal sites.
It has been noted that some sites have benefited from this, such as Pinterest and Amazon, obtaining a noticeable increase in traffic, while niche sites have been affected.
Google Core Update January 2020
We’re finally here! The first update of Google Core Update, released on January 13, 2020 . At first, site owners were able to notice early reactions to each website’s rankings, how they ranked their keywords, and so on.
Changes were observed in the appearance of new modules or result types in the SERPs, such as images, rich snippets, video modules, and local modules. Google focused on YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) type pages , such as health, finance and legal sites, with adjustments in previous updates for these types of sites.
How to work correctly following the guidelines of Google Updates?
In conclusion, Core Updates represent significant changes to Google ‘s search algorithm , with the aim of improving the quality and relevance of results for users. Are they usually positive? Well, this will depend on which website owner you ask, since the impacts usually vary in relation to each website.
Honestly, I think Google doesn’t offer much information about the specific nature of these updates, beyond the generic recommendation to create high-quality content that users like.
What remains is to adjust the site as much as possible to what Google requests and focus it based on the user’s needs. That is why SEO and digital marketing professionals must be updated and alert to the changes that are introduced.
By focusing on content quality, user experience, and compliance with Google guidelines , you will be able to successfully navigate these changes and keep your website competitive.
At Enjoy Minder we are clear about it!
There are many sites that can modify their content and achieve positive results, while others have not had the same luck. To achieve results that live up to your expectations, you can count on our help!
At Enjoy Minder we specialize in SEO and web design conditioned to meet the user’s needs, we can provide you with assistance to ensure that your site and its contents reach high levels of quality.
Are you interested? Contact us to start working together!
