Google has confirmed the completion of its November 2023 core update, which is the fourth core update of the year. This update began on November 2, 2023, following closely after the previous core update in October 2023, which started on October 5 and concluded on October 19.
The November core update was fully rolled out by November 28, 2023, taking 26 days to complete.
What we saw: This update had a significant impact, similar to previous core updates, affecting many sites’ rankings and generating considerable feedback from SEOs. The November core update began quickly and had an immediate and substantial effect. Early observations from SEOs indicated notable changes.
Overlapping Update: It’s important to note that the Google November 2023 reviews update started on November 8, 2023, and is still ongoing. These updates occurred simultaneously but affected sites at different times.
Why we care: Google algorithm updates are crucial for all brands, businesses, and organizations as they influence search result rankings. Any changes in rankings, whether positive or negative, can affect your site’s organic traffic, conversions, and revenue. Being aware of these updates helps site owners understand whether traffic fluctuations are due to changes on their site or Google’s ranking algorithm adjustments.
What to do if you are hit: Google has provided advice on what to consider if a core update negatively impacts your site:
- There may not be specific actions to recover, as a negative ranking impact does not necessarily mean there is something wrong with your pages.
- Google offers a list of questions to consider if your site is affected by a core update.
- Some recovery might be seen between core updates, but significant changes are more likely after another core update.
Previous Core Updates: Here’s a timeline of recent core updates:
- October 2023 core update: Started on October 5 and ended on October 19.
- August 2023 core update: Began on August 22 and concluded on September 7.
- March 2023 core update: Started on March 15 and ended on March 28.
- September 2022 broad core update: Less impactful than previous updates, finished on Sept. 26.
- May 2022 broad core update: Significant and fast update.
- November 2021 core update.
- July 2021 core update.
- June 2021 core update: Slow to roll out but significant.
By staying informed about these updates, site owners can better understand and respond to changes in their search rankings and traffic.
