Until SEO experts figure out Google’s ranking algorithm, Google releases another update. This time, Google has announced that it will be rolling out a December Core Update, which will take about two weeks to complete. In this article, you will get to know how this update will impact your search engine rankings and website traffic.
Highlights
- This is the fourth major update Google has made this year, following the big one in November.
- This update is not expected to impact site traffic and rankings until it is fully completed.
- There is no need to rush into making any major changes right away, just take the time to analyze the changes in traffic or rankings before taking any action.
Will This Update Affect Traffic and Rankings?
It is difficult to say whether this major update will affect your traffic and rankings until the rollout is complete. Here are some important points about this update made by Google:-
Google Advice
- Wait for the core update to complete rolling out, and wait another week to measure changes.
- You should compare weekly stats before and after the core update.
- Go through your top pages and queries. Compare the changes, such as large or small drops.
- If the drop is large, you will have to find major issues on your website and follow the strategy according to the new core update.
- Review different searches like web, images, videos, and news for better insights.
Advice For Website
Google hasn’t shared exactly what’s changed with the December update, just as it has with other major updates. However, its main advice remains the same, which is to focus on creating useful, trustworthy content that’s relevant to real people, not just to rank higher in search results. If your website traffic has dropped after the update, Google suggests checking its guidelines for updates. You can find this information in the Google Search Status Dashboard. The dashboard lets you see the progress of updates and even sign up for alerts to stay informed.
Major Updates Rolled Out by Google in 2024
This is Google’s fourth core update this year, along with updates to its spam and helpful content parameters. Following are previous major core updates made by Google in 2024:
- The November 2024 core update was released on 11 Nov and ended on 5 Dec
- The August 2024 core update was released on 15 Aug and ended on 3 Sep.
- The March 2024 core update was released on 5 March and ended on 19 April.
