As anybody who runs a website knows, your ranking on Google can go up and down for a number of reasons. While some of these are under your control, others take place behind the scenes. Among these are Google’s own updates – or changes – to their search algorithm. Minor updates take place all the time and are normally nothing to worry about. Every so often, a more significant update occurs and many sites see a greater swing in their performance on Google’s rankings.
One of these changes – the aptly named May 2020 Google Core Update – was recently rolled out, which may explain any major discrepancies in your latest Google rankings.
What is the May 2020 Google Core Update?
The May 2020 Google Core Update is one of the largest changes to Google’s algorithm in recent years – or, at least, in terms of how it has impacted ranking volatility. Some SEO experts have seen up to 90% of their clients’ organic web traffic disappear as an immedate consequence, while others have seen their ranking spike (albeit not to the same degree).
As for what those changes are – nobody knows (apart from Google). Their algorithm is a proprietary calculation and not made available to the public. Google have advised that there is nothing wrong with your website that has caused it to slide down the rankings. Rather than penalising your site, the update has caused other websites to rise to the top of the rankings.
How to tell if your website was affected
The quickest way to see if your website has been impacted by the Core Update is to check your keyword positions and Google analytics. If there is a noticeable swing in either direction over the last couple of weeks that cannot be accounted for by normal variations in search patterns, the odds are good that your site has been affected.
What can I do to recover my ranking?
Google insists that there is nothing inherently wrong with your website that is causing it to rank lower following the Core Update. They have confirmed that the changes relate to how its systems assess content overall. This suggests that improving your site’s content is the key to reclaiming that valued position at the top of the search results.
As Google themselves have said: “We suggest focusing on ensuring you’re offering the best content you can. That’s what our algorithms seek to reward.”
Google previously released guidance on building a high-quality website which contains some interesting points to consider if you have been negatively affected by the latest Google algorithm update.
If you believe that your website has been impacted by the May 2020 Google Core Update, or if your Google ranking has slipped for any other reason, then reach out to the experts. Contact 123 Ranking today on 0333 320 8099 to find out what we can do to get you ranking again, and to receive a free, no obligation quote.
