Every few months, Google initiates its Core Updates; the most recent beginning on October 5 2023, just one day after the release of their spam update. Specifically created to interrupt and adapt the Google algorithm, some SMEs may find this update a little daunting, however there are numerous ways to reduce the uncertainty and strip it back to its core – no pun intended!

Many SMEs gain insights into their website rankings via Google. It has remained the most effective way to measure and gain insights into website rankings for SEO Marketing purposes. However, when Google issues a Core Update, things may have a tendency to shift. What are these updates exactly? Well, they seek to change the way Google indexes and ranks websites.

Why is this happening?

Google intends to flush out the websites that may use black hat SEO tactics to try to manipulate Google search rankings. They also want to keep an eye on their own competitors. Their goal is to create a universal content quality assessment and decide to identify low-quality content that doesn’t meet the required criteria anymore.  Whilst it may seem a little ambiguous, there are numerous ways that you can lessen the blow.

How will it affect your business?

After each Google Core Update, there are often substantial fluctuations in website rankings. It may affect the positioning of your website in the SERPs, therefore the organic traffic and visibility of your website. For example, if your business usually sits at the twelfth entry on Google, it may now sit at position twenty.  Google Core updates can influence the performance of a website also, either positively, negatively or not at all. Google stresses that a decrease in performance does not necessarily signal problems, yet it may lead to having to adapt marketing strategies and creating a change of pace.

Businesses may notice that the performance of their website and general SEO has become sluggish, including organic reach, website views, engagement and communication. Aside from low performance results, and analytical uncertainty, the steep upheaval observed during the update’s rollout means that you could be fearing of losing out on potential business. But it doesn’t have to be a fatal diagnosis.

How to improve your SEO Marketing after Google Core Update

The first step is to diversify strategies and slowly implement the necessary steps to get your SEO back on track. There is no simple solution, but rather a dedicated approach to ensuring your business doesn’t fall prey to a huge drop in engagement. Here are some things to note:

• Run a diagnostic check on your website – do you have any broken links or poor achieving pages that need a check?
• Building authority and relevance – does your content need a refresh? Relevant, informative and clear content will work in your favour.
• Improving your SEO Marketing – what SEO changes can be made to the pages that are struggling.
• Look at your competitors – see who is ranking higher than you and compare and contrast to see how you may be able to catch up.
• Increase traffic naturally – SEO Marketing is not just how you utilise your website but also how you promote it. The challenge is to utilise your social streams and platforms in order to effectively promote your content.

The bottom line…

Allowing your strategies to become fluid will be of great benefit. Whilst it can be tricky to isolate what you need to do to reverse any algorithmic hit your site may have seen, often a professional eye can assist. Start to view Google Core Updates as companions, therefore allowing you a greater insight into the world of your SEO Marketing.

This nuanced approach highlights the progressive nature of SEO strategies and the need for continuous adaptation. If you are seeking assistance in creating a healthier website with higher rankings, Smart Thinking Consultancy will be happy to help. Please feel free to reach out to us https://smartthinkingconsultancy.co.uk/contact/