Google confirms it is rolling out its May 2022 core algorithm update today. Over the past few months, Google has publicly released information about an upcoming broad core algorithm update that will occur on May 15, 2022. It may seem like there’s plenty of time to prepare for the change, but it’s important to start planning now. Here’s what you need to know about Google’s May 2022 broad core algorithm update for SEO.
What’s the Update About?
The core update is designed to improve the relevancy of search results for users. Though the update is being launched today, it will take up to two weeks for the full effects to be seen.
Danny Sullivan, Public Liaison for Search said, “There’s nothing wrong with pages that may perform less well in a core update. They haven’t violated our webmaster guidelines nor been subjected to a manual or algorithmic action, as can happen to pages that do violate those guidelines. In fact, there’s nothing in a core update that targets specific pages or sites. Instead, the changes are about improving how our systems assess content overall. These changes may cause some pages that were previously under-rewarded to do better.”
So, What Exactly is a Broad Core Update?
A broad core update generally takes into account an entire algorithm and is not just targeted to one component in particular. Broad core updates cover all search engine ranking factors, which is why Google calls them ‘broad’. So how are you supposed to respond to broad core updates? You only need to ensure you’re following the essential best practices. Develop SEO-friendly content, deliver an awesome user experience, maintain fast page speeds, and build effective backlinks!
What’s New With the May 2022 Update?
Basically, not much. Or, at least nothing the public can confirm. It’s not clear what Google updates are in terms of broad core, but based on what we know so far, these can significantly affect Google Search rankings.
But John Mueller, a Webmaster-Trends Analyst at Google, said, “When we announce core updates, we start the rollout at that point, not beforehand.” The core updates tend to be rolled out gradually, so any noticeable changes in traffic from late-May to mid-June can be attributed to this update.
Google’s Advice for Web Marketers:
As always, Google doesn’t provide any specific guidance on how content marketers and website managers can prepare or adjust to a broad core update. But there are a few things recommended by SEO services.
- Focus on E-A-T:
E-A-T is important for two reasons: first, because it’s a major part of Google’s quality guidelines, and second, because it’s a great way to improve your website from an SEO perspective.
There are three main components to E-A-T: expertise, authority, and trust.
Expertise refers to your website’s content. Are you an expert on your topic? Do you have experience in the industry?
Authority refers to your website’s link profile. Do you have high-quality links from websites in your industry?
Trust refers to your website’s overall reputation. Are you a credible source of information?
- It’s Normal For Your Website Ranking to Fluctuate:
Broad core algorithm updates can cause significant fluctuations in website rankings. This is because these updates can change how Google interprets and values websites. As a result, it’s common to see websites that were previously ranking well drop in the rankings, while other sites may see a boost.
If you’ve noticed a sudden change in your website’s traffic or rankings, it’s likely due to a broad core update. While it can be worrisome to see your website’s performance change so suddenly, try not to panic. These changes are usually temporary and will even out over time.
- Make More Video Content:
It’s no secret that video consumption is more than ever. Millions of users watch videos every day and there are over a billion active YouTube channels with hundreds of hours of video uploaded every minute. With so much video content available to viewers, it’s important for marketers to have a video strategy for their business as well. After the broad core algorithm updates in May 2022, the visibility of video sites have increased by as much as 25%! So, get your business ahead of the curve by making more video content.
Never Compromise on Content Quality:
The quality of your content is more important than ever, so don’t cut corners. Make sure your content is well-researched, accurate, and engaging. Keep it fresh by regularly publishing new and original content, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different formats (like video, infographics, or blog posts). By keeping your website’s content fresh, you’ll avoid a major cause of Google algorithm penalties: having outdated information on your site.
You can also ensure high-quality content by publishing pages at least three times per week, following Google’s guidelines for loading time, mobile optimisation, link structure, and making use of header tags like H1s. And don’t forget: in order to rank highly in search engines these days, sites need not only optimised titles but also meta descriptions.
The Bottom Line:
As we await to uncover more details on Google’s algorithm update, there are a few things we can do to prepare our websites. Make sure our content is high-quality and informative. Focus on creating a strong user experience by ensuring our website is fast and easy to navigate, and make your website is mobile-friendly. Talk to an agency to learn about their SEO packages Sydney today.
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