If you’re managing a website or running a blog, understanding how Google Core Updates affect your SEO performance is essential. These algorithm changes can lead to dramatic shifts in your search engine rankings, causing sudden traffic drops or unexpected gains. In this article, we’ll explain what core updates are, how they work, and how to respond if your website traffic drops after a Google update.
What Is a Google Core Update?
A Google Core Update is a significant change to Google’s search algorithm. These updates, released several times a year, are designed to improve how Google ranks content by prioritizing helpful, relevant, and authoritative web pages. While not targeting specific sites, core updates can heavily impact rankings—sometimes overnight.
Google’s core updates are part of its ongoing effort to deliver better search results. If your content no longer meets Google’s standards, your visibility in search results may decline—even if your SEO was previously effective.
Why Core Updates Matter for SEO
Core updates affect SEO strategies directly. Since these updates change how Google evaluates and ranks websites, your position in the search engine results pages (SERPs) can shift drastically. Websites with low-quality, thin, or outdated content may see a traffic decline, while sites with high-quality, original content may climb in rankings.
If you’ve noticed a sudden drop in organic traffic, especially during known core update periods, it’s highly likely your site was affected by the update.
Recent Core Update Example (August 2024)
In August 2024, Google rolled out a core update that focused on surfacing valuable content from smaller publishers, not just large corporations. This move aimed to reward websites that produce high-quality, useful articles—even without a big brand name.
Google announced the update on its official Search Central Blog and provided guidance on what types of content would benefit. Tracking these updates can help you understand whether a change in traffic is update-related or due to other SEO factors.
What to Do If You’re Affected by a Google Core Update
If your site was hit by a Google Core Update, don’t panic—but do act.
- Check Google’s Official Announcement: Confirm if a core update was rolled out during your traffic drop.
- Review Your Content: Ensure it is original, trustworthy, and provides real value to users.
- Audit Your Site: Look for thin content, outdated information, or poor user experience.
- Improve E-E-A-T: Google values Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness.
Google has made it clear: there’s no “fix” for core updates other than creating better, more helpful content. Focus on content quality and user intent.
How to Stay Informed About Google Core Updates
To track Google’s updates in real-time, follow @googlesearchc on X (formerly Twitter) or monitor the Google Search Status Dashboard. This will help you identify when updates are happening and respond more effectively.
Final Thoughts: SEO and Google Core Updates
Understanding and adapting to Google Core Updates is critical for sustainable SEO success. If your organic traffic suddenly drops, these updates might be the cause. The key is to stay informed, optimize your content, and focus on providing real value to users.
By aligning your website with Google’s evolving expectations, you’ll improve your chances of long-term visibility in search results—no matter how the algorithm changes.