Google has started its November 2024 Core Update. They published it will need up to 2 weeks for the rollout. Are Core Updates still news? For SEO experts, they are. As always, every time Google updates its core algorithm, website owners, marketers, and SEO experts fear possible consequences for their websites’ organic traffic. As we’ve seen in several past updates, especially this year, these changes can make or break search rankings overnight. Let’s dive into the topic and discuss how it may affect your site’s organic traffic and overall performance.
What Do We Know About the November 2024 Core Update
While Google doesn’t want to reveal its algorithmic changes, industry experts and SEO monitoring tools have noticed significant shifts across various search arenas.
Typically, Google’s core updates aim to improve the relevance and quality of the search results. As a result, some websites will inevitably see fluctuations in performance—some experiencing upward trends, while others might see a drop in their rankings. The November 2024 Core Update appears to be no different, with fast and noticeable shifts reported by the SEO community and industry tools.
What Do WebmasterWorld Forum Users Notice?
On the WebmasterWorld forum thread on which the community discusses the November 2024 Google Core Update, there is a range of user experiences and observations, positive and negative ones. Several users report significant drops in traffic, with some noting decreases of up to 40% in a single day. Others notice volatility and mention initial increases followed by subsequent declines. Also, forum participants observe significant shifts in rankings. Specific pages experienced sudden drops while others gained visibility. However, there is no conclusion that the update affected specific niches or regions. Additionally, some users express frustration because some high-quality content lost rankings to lower-quality sites.
We have also noticed that discussions include potential recovery tactics, such as enhancing content quality, improving user experience, and conducting comprehensive site audits to identify and rectify issues.
Early Response to the Update
Like previous core updates, SEO professionals have been worried, and others have shown excitement based on initial data. Many have voiced concerns over sudden drops in rankings, while others are celebrating the ranking boosts they’ve experienced.
Different SEO tools, such as SEMrush, RankRanger, and others, have showcased sharp volatility spikes, signaling that Google’s update has triggered adjustments across various niches.
Key Focus Areas of the Update
Although Google never discloses precisely what it’s tweaking in its core updates, the focus generally hones in on several predominant areas:
- Content Quality is still one of the top criteria determining your website ranking on Google. This search engine boosts high-quality, original, and authoritative content that satisfies the user’s search intent.
- User experience remains a high priority for Google. Does your website offer fast load times, clear navigation, easy flow, and mobile friendliness? Continued improvements can ensure that the following updates will not affect your business.
- Backlink Profiles: Another recurring focus area is the quality of a site’s backlinks. Spammy or low-quality links can hurt a website’s visibility, while reputable links can boost credibility.
- E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness): This has always been at the core of Google’s strategy, and indications show that E-E-A-T-related elements remain crucial in determining a website’s ‘trustworthiness’.
How You Should React
If your site has been impacted by this update, either positively or negatively, here are some actionable steps you can take:
Content Audit
Although it may happen that you or your team member wrote landing pages and blog posts, we recommend you make a content audit. If you are not sure if the quality of your pages and posts is good enough, you can search for competitors’ pages that rank high for the same or similar keywords. Your content must be thorough, accurate, and unique, fulfilling your website’s visitors’ intent.
Technical SEO Audit
Ensure fast page loading times, mobile optimization, and an error-free user experience across all devices. Google continues to favor pages that provide a seamless experience.
Backlink Quality Assessment
Review your backlink profile. Removing spammy or irrelevant links will improve your site’s ability to rank after core updates like these. Focus on building high-quality, meaningful backlinks.
E-E-A-T Check-up
If your website falls under the “Your Money or Your Life” (YMYL) categories, e.g., financial, health, safety, or well-being niches, ensure the content is authored or reviewed by experts in the corresponding field. Also, give direct signals to Google who the content authors are, which references you base your content on, etc.
An additional Tip
Don’t Rush to Make Drastic Changes
Prior experience shows that it is clever not to take any action immediately. Google Core updates can take weeks to roll out completely. If you notice some negative changes in your organic traffic, leave them and allow the update to be complete before deciding on significant changes.
Final Thoughts
November 2024 Core Update reminds us that Google’s changes are never-ending. The best advice is to remain focused on providing high-quality content to your audience on a fast-loading website with a good user experience.
Remember, Google aims to ensure that users receive the best possible content in response to queries. By maintaining high-quality standards in your content, refining your technical SEO, and building firm backlink profiles, you can continue to succeed in the post-update landscape.
As with every core update, the final effects will only become apparent once the rollout is complete. However, by staying proactive and following industry best practices, your website remains well-positioned to navigate the fluctuations effectively.
Resources for Further Reading:
Seroundtable Article
Search Engine Journal Article