On May 4th, Google began rolling out the May 2020 core update. This update is broad and significant, and it may take up to a couple of weeks to fully implement. Several data companies specializing in tracking Google’s search results have reported that this is one of the largest Google core updates in recent history.
Key Facts
The May 2020 core update began at approximately 3:50 pm ET on Monday, May 4th. As with all core updates, it is global and affects all regions, languages, and categories of websites. Such updates are typically broad and are released by Google every few months.
Comparison to Previous Updates
The last significant core update was in January 2020, while the prior one was in September 2019. The September update appeared less impactful than its predecessors. In November, Google released an update focused on local rankings.
May 2020 Update Insights
According to multiple search data companies, this update is substantial and had not finished rolling out at the time of reporting.
- RankRanger: Mordy Oberstein described the May update as "an absolute monster," noting that it slightly surpasses the January update in significance. The update appears more uniform across various niches.
- SEMRush: The SEMRush team noted that the May update is stronger than the January update, impactful across more SERPs and positions. Certain industries, including travel, real estate, health, pets & animals, and people & society, were mostly affected. SEMRush also listed winners including local.com, yellowpages.com, and superpages.com, and losers such as linkedin.com and manta.com.
- Moz: The Mozcast tool indicated high levels of fluctuation, with temperatures reaching 103 degrees on May 4th and 112 degrees on May 5th. Dr. Pete Meyers observed that this was the second-highest core update spike since August 2018.
- Search Metrics: Marcus Tober described the update as broader than previous ones, not focused solely on E.A.T. (Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness). Sites from Spotify to Apple Music showed varying impacts.
Community Reaction
The SEO community has been actively discussing this update in forums and on social media. Some reported significant traffic losses, while others experienced gains.
What to Do If Affected
Google has offered guidance for addressing negative impacts from core updates. While there are no specific recovery actions, Google suggests evaluating the overall quality of your website if it is affected. Reflect on the broad range of quality issues and consider enhancements to the site.
Conclusion
Determining the exact cause of a site’s decline due to a core update can be challenging. These updates are major, broad, and affect various quality factors. If your site is affected, it may be beneficial to take a step back and consider comprehensive improvements to your website’s quality.
