Last month, Google released the September 2019 Core Update, and, as was to be expected, website owners and SEO specialists around the world are already feeling its effects. So, how is it likely to impact on your site and its Google rankings?
What is a Broad Core Algorithm Update?
A Broad Core Algorithm Update is exactly what it says on the tin – an update to Google’s core search algorithm that impacts across the broad spectrum of Google services. This does not necessarily mean that Google has discovered a way for people to gain the system and are clamping down to stop it (although that can often be the result). Rather, it’s a whole bunch of tiny, incremental changes that they impose in one go to limit downtime.
What changes have taken place?
Since nobody knows the exact composition of the original Google algorithm – that is, nobody except Google… we hope! – we don’t know what changes have taken place with the update. We suspect that at least part of it was an attempt to crack down on link spamming. Several less than reputable sites that deal in this sort of scam marketing have reported that their performance has dropped considerably whilst, across the board, most have remained unaffected. In theory, it could be anything but the fact that it is the link spammers doing the complaining is certainly suggestive.
My Google rankings have dropped – why is the updated algorithm punishing me?
It’s not – unless you’ve been link spamming, of course, in which case you’re not likely to be reading this article. All that has happened is that your existing content has been reassessed against the new algorithm and, specifically, against the new web content that has been released since the update dropped.
What can I do to regain my ranking?
The best way to handle the impact of any core algorithm update is to focus on your new content, ensuring that it is relevant and follows the EAT principles of Expertise, Authority, and Trust. In the broadest terms, these are the foundation of any high-ranking site. Continuing to release fresh content that adheres to the EAT metric is the best way to get you back into the running. While the specifics might change, the purpose of the Google algorithm is to promote relevancy and freshness across the internet, which can only ever be a good thing.
Asking your seo team to review backlinks is also advised, so they can identify and resolve any potential issues. By flagging any low quality links with Google, you’re indicating to them that your website can be trusted and that you’re not employing underhand tactics in order to manipulate search results.
If you need help recovering from the most recent Google algorithm update, or are just looking for a new seo team to boost your rankings, get in touch with us today on 0333 320 8099.
