Danny Sullivan from Google has confirmed that Google is updating its algorithm, referring to it as another broad core update.
Brett Tabke from Pubcon was informed in advance by Google about a significant upcoming update, pre-named Update Florida 2. It was communicated from Google that this update is both important and substantial.
UPDATE: Google has officially named this update the March 2019 Core Update.
How Big Is This Google Update?
Information suggests that this update is particularly significant. I was informed that this update is one of the largest in years.
In the past, major Google updates often indicated a significant change in site ranking processes. Last year’s update included what Google termed Neural Matching.
Thus, it is reasonable to assume that this update might be similar in scale, based on reliable insider information.
What’s the Goal of This Broad Core Update?
A broad core update implies that Google isn’t targeting any specific niche or signal, such as quality. In this type of algorithm update, Google isn’t targeting anything in particular.
Some in the SEO community speculate that Google targets specific industries, but Google’s John Mueller consistently denies that broad core updates focus on specific niches.
Broad core updates do not target websites, niches, or qualities, which is why Google says there’s nothing to fix in such updates.
The best way to understand a broad core update is to avoid assuming Google is focusing on low page quality or niches, and instead, focus on relevance-related factors.
How to Respond to a Broad Core Update
I have analyzed many websites that have been impacted by broad core updates. One common issue seems to be a change in how Google interprets search queries, which can impact page rankings.
Various factors can influence a webpage’s ranking, including links, which remain a crucial ranking factor.
What Is a Broad Core Update?
Broad core updates are enhancements to Google’s overall algorithm aimed at better understanding search queries and webpages.
These enhancements help Google more accurately match search queries to web pages, thereby improving user satisfaction.
It can be said that the fundamental goal of all broad core updates is to enhance user satisfaction.
A previous broad core update involved the introduction of Neural Matching, which was not targeting specific elements but rather aiming to improve web page relevance in search results to answer search queries more effectively.
Why Was the Update Called Florida 2?
The original Google Florida Update was a major change in the early 2000s and coincided with the Pubcon Florida SEO conference. The timing of this update and the 2019 Pubcon Florida conference led Brett Tabke, founder of Pubcon, to name it Google Florida Update 2. Traditionally, WebmasterWorld has named Google Updates.
As stated earlier, Google is now officially calling this the March 2019 Core Update.
There is Nothing to Fix?
Sullivan referred to previous guidance from March 12, 2018, regarding broad core updates. That guidance mentioned in a tweet that there is nothing to fix.
Here’s what that tweet said:
“There’s no ‘fix’ for pages that may perform less well other than to remain focused on building great content. Over time, your content may rise relative to other pages.”
In my opinion, this likely pertains to the relevance of content and/or links to search queries. It’s a change on Google’s part.
This makes it difficult to determine why a page may have lost ranking. However, clues can be found when analyzing sites that have lost rankings.
Read more about the update in articles and discussions across the web regarding the March 2019 Core Update.
