On May 25, Google initiated its first broad core algorithm update of the year – the May 2022 core update. The effects of this update were immediately noticeable, with significant impacts occurring within just 24 hours of the announcement. Therefore, we feel confident reporting on the ramifications of this update.
Traditionally, we have opted to wait longer before commenting on the consequences of core updates. However, from our experience covering several of these core updates, the bulk of the impact is typically evident within the first few days, albeit with some exceptions.
Data Providers on the May 2022 Core Update
Typically, data providers like Semrush and RankRanger align on the volatility of these updates. However, there seems to be some disagreement this time – at least until the data is scrutinized in detail.
Semrush: According to Semrush, the May 2022 core update had a swift impact following the announcement. The volatility tracker indicated considerable rank volatility right after the update’s initial rollout. Mordy Oberstein, Semrush’s Communication Advisor, indicated that rapid bursts of initial rank volatility appear to be a new pattern for these core updates.
Comparing the May 2022 core update to its November 2021 counterpart, initial impressions suggest May’s update was less volatile except in the real estate sector, which saw significant changes. The discrepancy in volatility levels between the updates may be attributed to higher baseline volatility before May 2022 compared to before November 2021.
Semrush’s data shows that the overall rank volatility increase was 19% less during May’s initial release on desktop compared to November 2021, and 24% less on mobile. Therefore, different interpretations of the data might suggest that May 2022’s core update was more volatile than November 2021’s, depending on how the data is processed and understood.
This is evidenced by the fact that 17% of the new top 20 ranked results post-update came from positions 20 or beyond, a figure not dramatically different from the November 2021 core update.
RankRanger: RankRanger’s analysis also indicated significant changes in search results post-update. The team found that average position changes were greater in May 2022 compared to November 2021.
Further breakdowns by positioning show that volatility was relatively similar across positions. Retail seemed particularly affected, based on RankRanger’s data.
SISTRIX: SISTRIX, another data provider, shared the top 20 winners and losers following the May 2022 update, focusing on U.S.-based sites. They observed that visibility increased from 25.84 points on Thursday to 31.98 by Monday morning.
More on the May 2022 Core Update
The SEO Community: The May 2022 core update appears to be more significant than the November 2021 update. Timing-wise, the May update was more favorable for retailers, avoiding the busy online shopping period. The community’s reaction included early discussions, ranking charts, and social media posts from SEOs. Numerous SEOs shared client results on Twitter, revealing both winners and losers.
What to Do if You’re Hit: Google has previously advised on steps if impacted negatively by a core update. While there are no specific actions to ensure recovery, Google has provided a list of questions to consider if your site is affected. You may observe some recovery between core updates, but major changes are typically noticeable following another core update.
Why We Care
Identifying precise actions to counter an algorithmic hit is challenging, particularly with core updates. The data and past experiences suggest these updates address broad, overarching quality issues. If your site was affected, it’s recommended to take a comprehensive look at your website to identify areas for overall improvement.
Hopefully, your company and clients benefitted from this update.
Additional Information
For further insights, you can explore more of our coverage on Google Algorithm Updates.
