Google’s November 2023 core update is now rolling out and may take up to two weeks to complete.
This is the fourth broad core algorithm update of 2023. The first core update of 2023 was the March 2023 core update, which started rolling out on March 15 and was completed on March 28. The second core update of 2023 was the August 2023 core update, which started rolling out on August 22 and was completed on September 7. The third core update was the October 2023 core update, which started rolling out on October 5 and was completed on October 19.
New in the core update. Google stated that this core update involves an improvement to a different core system than last month. Google’s guidance about core updates remains consistent for both.
Reviews update coming next week. Google announced that a reviews update would also be coming next week. This will also mark a point when Google will no longer give periodic notifications of improvements to its reviews system, as these updates will occur regularly and ongoingly.
More details. Google provided a more detailed Q&A, explaining more about the new core update and the upcoming reviews update.
- Why another core update so soon? Google explained that they have different systems considered core to their ranking process; this month’s core update involves an improvement to a different core system than last month.
- Difference between a ranking update and ranking system? Google clarified that ranking systems are used to generate search results. Multiple ranking systems exist to perform different functions. They have a guide to Google search ranking systems that explains some of the more notable ones. Updates are when improvements are made to a ranking system.
- What do updates do? Google utilizes automated systems to rank search results, and they continuously seek ways to improve these systems to deliver better results.
- Why do some updates overlap? Google attempts to separate notable updates to help site owners better identify which system is involved. However, due to the number of updates, this isn’t always possible. When an update is evaluated and approved for making Search better, they proceed without delay.
- Why are some updates during the holiday season? Google tries to avoid updates during the late-November to mid-December period when possible but releases updates when they are ready if they have been developed over several months.
What to do if you are hit. Google has previously offered advice on what to consider if negatively impacted by a core update:
- There aren’t specific actions to take to recover. A negative rankings impact may not signal anything is wrong with your pages.
- Google has provided a list of questions to consider if your site is hit by a core update.
- Google mentioned that some recovery might be seen between core updates, but the most significant change would be after another core update.
Why we care. Whenever Google updates its search ranking algorithms, your site can perform better or worse in the search results. Knowing when these updates occur helps understand if changes were due to your website adjustments or Google’s algorithm updates. With the current core ranking update, keep an eye on your analytics and rankings over the next few weeks.
Although with the spam update rolling out simultaneously, it might be challenging to determine which update(s) impacted your site.
Previous core updates. Here’s a timeline and details of recent core updates:
- The October 2023 core update began on October 5 and ended on October 19.
- The August 2023 core update began on August 22 and ended on September 7.
- The March 2023 core update began on March 15 and ended on March 28.
- The September 2022 broad core update was less impactful than previous core updates and finished on September 26.
- The May 2022 broad core update was significant and fast.
- The November 2021 core update.
- The July 2021 core update.
- The June 2021 core update, which was slow to roll out but significant.
Other recent Google algorithm updates. Google recently rolled out the October 2023 spam update, simultaneously with the October 2023 core update. In September, Google rolled out the September 2023 helpful content update over 14 days.
Google recently fixed a bug with the core update that impacted Discover traffic.
