On November 11, 2024, Google released a new core update aimed at enhancing the quality and accuracy of search results. These broad core updates, which occur several times a year, help Google provide users with the most relevant, helpful, and reliable information. If you’ve noticed fluctuations in your website’s traffic or rankings, it may be due to this latest update. Here’s what you need to know about the November 2024 Core Update, its potential impact, and what steps you can take to maintain or improve your rankings.
What Is a Google Core Update?
Core updates are significant changes to Google’s search algorithms. Unlike targeted updates that address specific issues, such as spam or reviews, core updates are broad and impact all types of content. The goal is to improve Google’s understanding of what content is most relevant and useful to users. According to Google, these updates don’t specifically target individual sites or pages; rather, they aim to improve the search experience as a whole. This may cause some sites to rank higher or lower depending on how well their content aligns with Google’s updated criteria (Google Search Central, Core Updates).
Key Highlights of the November 2024 Core Update
The November 2024 Core Update began rolling out on November 11, 2024, and may take up to two weeks to complete. Here are the primary areas affected by the update:
- Focus on Relevance and Quality: As with previous core updates, this update prioritizes helpful, people-first content. Content that thoroughly addresses user queries, is well-structured, and provides genuine value is likely to perform better.
- Algorithmic Reassessment: This update evaluates and re-ranks sites based on their relevance in the current online landscape. Similar to reviewing a favourite list of restaurants, some sites may shift up or down as Google reassesses them against other emerging content.
- Enhanced Evaluation of E-E-A-T: Google continues to emphasize E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) principles, which measure how trustworthy and authoritative content appears for specific topics, especially in YMYL (Your Money, Your Life) areas (Google Search Central, How Core Updates Work).
How to Assess Your Site’s Performance
If you’ve seen a significant drop in rankings or traffic, don’t panic. Core updates can cause fluctuations across various sites, but they don’t necessarily indicate that something is “wrong” with your content. Here’s a step-by-step process to evaluate your site:
- Monitor Search Console Metrics: Use Google Search Console to check for traffic or ranking changes that coincide with the core update rollout. Compare performance data from before and after the update.
- Focus on Top Pages and Queries: Identify which pages and keywords experienced changes. Small drops (e.g., from position 2 to 4) may not require immediate action, while larger drops might need a closer assessment.
- Separate Search Types: Analyse data separately for Web Search, Google Images, Video, and News. This can help pinpoint which content types were most affected by the update.
Recommended Actions for Recovery
Google recommends focusing on creating high-quality, user-focused content that prioritizes people-first experiences. Here are some strategies:
- Conduct a Content Audit: Review and assess your most impacted pages. Compare them to competitors and identify areas for improvement in relevance, depth, and structure.
- Improve Content Quality Over Quick Fixes: Instead of removing elements due to SEO trends, make meaningful changes that enhance user experience, like better layout, clearer headings, or updated information.
- Delete Underperforming Content Sparingly: Only consider deleting content if it’s outdated or irrelevant. Generally, it’s better to refresh and repurpose content rather than removing it.
When to Expect Recovery
While some changes may reflect in search results within days, recovery from core updates often takes longer. Google’s systems may require a few months to reevaluate content across a site. Be patient, continue improving, and remember that the impact may become more evident with future core updates (Barry Schwartz, Search Engine Land, “Google November 2023 Core Update Complete“).
Final Thoughts
Google’s November 2024 Core Update emphasizes people-first content that serves user intent with accuracy and reliability. By following best practices and focusing on E-E-A-T principles, your site can better align with Google’s quality standards, potentially yielding improved performance in future updates.
For more details on core updates and ranking factors, visit Google’s official documentation on core updates at Google Search Central.
FAQ: Google November 2024 Core Update
What is the November 2024 Google Core Update?
The November 2024 Google Core Update is a broad update to Google’s search algorithms, intended to improve the accuracy and quality of search results. Like other core updates, it affects the ranking of various sites across the web, with the potential to impact organic traffic.
When did the November 2024 Core Update start and how long will it take to complete?
The update began on November 11, 2024, at 11:00 PST and may take up to two weeks to fully roll out. It’s important to monitor any changes in your site’s performance throughout this period.
How do core updates affect website rankings?
Core updates are broad and impact all types of content on the web. They assess and prioritize helpful, reliable content, leading to shifts in rankings. Sites may see fluctuations as Google evaluates content based on relevance, user satisfaction, and overall quality.
Why has my site experienced a drop in rankings?
A ranking drop may be due to changes in Google’s algorithm evaluating other sites as more relevant or helpful for certain queries. It’s essential to compare rankings before and after the core update to understand these shifts.
How can I assess my site’s performance after the update?
Use Google Search Console to review your site’s traffic and ranking position changes. Compare data from before and after the update’s rollout, especially focusing on significant drops or gains in position.
What steps should I take if my site’s ranking dropped significantly?
If you notice a large drop in rankings, consider conducting a thorough content assessment. Focus on creating people-first, high-quality, and reliable content. Avoid making drastic, quick-fix changes and aim for long-term improvements.
Should I delete underperforming content?
Deleting content should be a last resort. Before removing anything, assess if the content can be improved to serve users better. However, if certain sections were primarily created for search engines, consider removing them to allow more valuable content to stand out.
How long does it take to recover from a ranking drop after a core update?
Recovery times vary. While minor improvements may show results within days, significant changes in rankings may take several months. Google’s systems may need time to fully revaluate your site’s overall content quality.
What is Google’s recommended approach for improving content after a core update?
Google advises focusing on user satisfaction. Improvements can include rewriting content to increase clarity, reorganizing layouts for easier navigation, or enhancing content depth to answer user questions comprehensively. Avoid content changes solely based on perceived SEO advantages.
Where can I find official Google updates on the November 2024 Core Update?
For ongoing updates and further information on the November 2024 Core Update, visit the Google Search Status Dashboard and Google’s Core Update documentation at Google Developers.
What should I do if traffic to my site hasn’t recovered by the next core update?
If your site’s performance remains low after several months and a subsequent core update, consider conducting an in-depth site audit. Identify areas for improvement, focusing on relevance, authority, and content quality, as Google emphasizes people-first content.