Google Revises Core Update Guidance: Key Changes Explained

Google has recently revised its guidance on core algorithm updates, offering more comprehensive recommendations for websites affected by these updates.

The refreshed document, unveiled alongside the rollout of the August core update, features several additions and deletions.

New Sections Added

One of the most notable changes includes the introduction of two new sections: “Check if there’s a traffic drop in Search Console” and “Assessing a large drop in position.”

The “Check if there’s a traffic drop in Search Console” section provides a step-by-step guide for using Search Console to assess if a core update has impacted a website. The process involves:

1. Confirming the core update’s completion by checking the Search Status Dashboard
2. Waiting at least a week after the update finishes before analyzing Search Console data
3. Comparing search performance data from before and after the update to identify ranking changes
4. Analyzing different search types (web, image, video, news) individually

The “Assessing a large drop in position” section offers advice for websites that have experienced a notable decline in rankings following a core update. It recommends a thorough evaluation of the site’s content against Google’s quality guidelines, particularly focusing on the most impacted pages.

Other Additions

The updated document also introduces a “Things to keep in mind when making changes” section, advising website owners to focus on substantial, user-centric improvements instead of quick fixes. It suggests that content deletion should be a last resort, indicating that the content was possibly created for search engines rather than users.

Another new section, “How long does it take to see an effect in Search results,” sets expectations regarding the time required to see ranking changes after making content improvements. Google notes that it may take several months for the full impact to be evident, possibly requiring a future core update.

The document also includes a closing paragraph, emphasizing that rankings can change even without website updates, as new content appears on the web.

Removed Content

Several sections from the previous version of the document have been removed or replaced. A paragraph stating that pages affected by a core update “haven’t violated our spam policies” and comparing core updates to refreshing a movie list has been removed.

The “Assessing your own content” section has been replaced by the new “Assessing a large drop in position” section. Additionally, the section “How long does it take to recover from a core update?” no longer includes specific details about the timing and cadence of core updates and the factors influencing recovery time.

Shift In Tone & Focus

There is a noticeable shift in tone and focus in this update. While the previous guide explained the nature and purpose of core updates, the revised edition offers more practical guidance. For instance, the new sections related to Search Console provide clearer directions for identifying and addressing ranking drops.

In Summary

Here’s a summary of what’s been added and removed in Google’s updated Core Algorithm Update Guidance.

Added:

• “Check if there’s a traffic drop in Search Console” section:
  • Step-by-step instructions for using Search Console to identify ranking changes.
• “Assessing a large drop in position” section:
  • Guidance for websites experiencing significant ranking declines after a core update.
• “Things to keep in mind when making changes” section:
  • Encourages substantive improvements over quick fixes.
  • Suggests content deletion as a last resort.
• “How long does it take to see an effect in Search results” section:
  • Sets expectations for the time to see ranking changes after content improvements.
  • States that the full impact may take several months, potentially requiring a future core update.
• Closing paragraph:
  • Notes that rankings can change even without website updates as new content emerges.

Removed:

• A paragraph stating pages impacted by a core update “haven’t violated our spam policies.”
• Comparison of core updates to refreshing a list of best movies.
• The “Assessing your own content” section from the previous version, replaced by the new “Assessing a large drop in position” section.
• Specific details about the timing of core updates and factors influencing recovery time.

Archived Version

An archived version of Google’s previous core update guidance can be accessed via the Wayback Machine.

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