On November 11, 2024, Google began rolling out its third core update of the year. Like the updates before, it aims to improve the quality of search results. The goal? Prioritize content that genuinely serves users and leave behind pages made solely for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes.
While the full rollout is expected to take up to two weeks, it’s important to understand how this update might shake up your site’s performance and what steps you can take to stay ahead.
What’s the Purpose of a Core Update?
Google’s core updates are like big tune-ups for its search algorithms, so search results stay relevant and useful for users. These updates aren’t targeting specific sites — they’re about fine-tuning how Google evaluates and ranks content across the web.
The November 2024 update is no different. It follows the trend of its predecessors by favoring content that’s helpful, reliable and user-focused. In other words, Google wants to reward websites that actually add value for their audience, while pushing down the ones created just to game the system.
What Google’s November 2024 Core Update Means for Your Rankings
Google hasn’t provided many specific details about what changed with this update, but the general message remains the same: Create content that genuinely serves your audience’s needs.
Who Does This Update Affect?
This Google update is global, impacting all regions and languages. It’s also set to affect all types of content across web search, Google Discover, featured snippets and other search features.
If you’ve seen some shifts in your traffic or rankings, this update could be at play. But keep in mind that Google has made it clear that there won’t be immediate recovery for sites affected by previous helpful content updates (HCU). As with any core update, it’s best to resist the urge to jump to conclusions.
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Lost Traffic? Here’s How To Get Your Content Back on Track
If you see a drop in rankings or traffic, avoid drastic measures like deleting pages or content sections right away. Instead, take an objective look at your site’s overall quality and content performance. Here’s how:
- Check for traffic or ranking changes: Head to Google Search Console and start by checking your site’s performance.
- Compare metrics before and after: Look at your key metrics before and after the update to spot any significant changes.
- Identify small vs. large drops: A small change in ranking position may not require action, but larger drops call for closer attention.
- Review your top pages: Focus on your top-performing pages and check if they meet Google’s guidelines for user-friendly content.
- Update content if needed: If your content isn’t serving user needs, consider restructuring or rewriting it to make it clearer and more informative.
- Focus on the user experience: Forget the quick SEO hacks. Prioritize creating a better user experience — that’s the key to lasting results.
Remember, changes won’t show immediate results — Google’s algorithms will need time to process them, and improvements may take weeks or even months to reflect.
Keep Your Site Ready for Ongoing Google Updates
As 2024 winds down, Google’s core updates are here to stay, and more are expected to continue shaping search rankings. The key takeaway? Creating valuable, user-focused content isn’t just a reaction to these updates — it’s a long-term strategy for success.
Stay proactive by keeping your content relevant, accurate and user-friendly. This includes regularly monitoring your site’s performance, adapting based on user feedback and aligning your SEO efforts with best practices. That way, when the next update hits, your website will be ready to thrive.