Google's Most Recent Core Updates
Google is always changing, that much you can count on.
In 2021, Google rolled out two core updates. The first took place in June and July, while the second took place in November.
We already covered the June/July update a while back, so today we will focus on the changes that the November update brought us.
First, we need to keep in mind that the update started on November 17 and finished rolling out on November 30. In other words, the update took place over Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Because of this, the relatively minor changes of the November update were reported as more significant as they impacted many online retailers.
The most significant aspect of the November update was just how quickly it rolled out. Past updates have tended to drag out and their changes have been less immediate.
In November 2021, however, the update came quickly, and its impact was felt at once.
Some sites fell in the rankings while others soared.
Site managers all over the world wrung their hands over this update, but Google advised that there would be recovery between this core update and the next.
This is good news for many site managers. If your website ranking fell from November 17 to 30, it’s likely because of the core update, not because of a failing on your site’s behalf.
Google advises that you don’t do anything to try and fix your rankings now (so long as your drop hasn’t been too dramatic) as the next core update will be more significant.
Google’s Questions to Consider
If your site fell in Google’s rankings, you are probably wondering why.
Google put out some questions to consider to help you make some adjustments until the next core update.
Here are a few key questions for you to consider:
- Does the content provide original information, reporting, research, or analysis?
- Does the content provide a substantial, complete, or comprehensive description of the topic?
- Does the content provide insightful analysis or interesting information that is beyond obvious?
- If the content draws on other sources, does it avoid simply copying or rewriting those sources and instead provide substantial additional value and originality?
- Does the headline and/or page title provide a descriptive, helpful summary of the content?
- Does the headline and/or page title avoid being exaggerating or shocking in nature?
- Is this the sort of page you’d want to bookmark, share with a friend, or recommend?
- Would you expect to see this content in or referenced by a printed magazine, encyclopedia, or book?
If you answered any of these questions with a hard ‘no,’ then you likely have some work ahead of you to get your site back on track.
If you answered ‘yes’ to most or all of these questions and still saw a drop in rankings, then try not to worry too much. Small adjustments should hold you over until the next core update mid-way through 2022.
Keep Up with the Changes
So long as it is around, Google will always be making changes.
The goal of the website manager is to anticipate these changes and adjust accordingly.
The highest-ranked sites are not highly ranked for no reason. Their site managers closely monitor best practices and make changes when necessary.
This can be a tall task if website management is only part of your duties. Instead of wracking the internet to try and catch up SEO-wise, hire a pro to manage your site. The marketing team at Legend Web Works are just the professionals you are looking for. Our team has the skills and expertise to help your site rise to the top.
