The most important facts in brief
- Focus on relevance & quality: The update evaluates content more strongly according to its relevance and user-friendliness.
- Strengthening E-E-A-T: Expertise, experience, authority and trust are key ranking factors.
- Optimization recommendations: Update content, improve user experience and strengthen E-E-A-T signals to mitigate ranking losses.
Google rolled out a new core update on November 11, 2024, which will once again have an impact on the rankings of numerous websites. The November Core Update was officially completed on 5 December. You can find more information in the Google Search Status Dashboard. In this article, you can find out what the latest Google Core Update means, what it focuses on and how you can adapt your website to the new requirements.
Latest findings on the Google Core Update November 2024
Status: 12/06/2024
The Google Core Update November 2024 once again focuses on the relevance and quality of content. Pages that offer up-to-date and useful information have a higher chance of ranking well in search results. Google is increasingly focusing on user experience and content quality. As always, the exact changes that have been made remain unknown in detail, but content that meets user needs and creates trust is an advantage.
The Core Update has officially been finalised, which means that the full impact on rankings and visibility is now more clearly visible. Here are the key findings from the SEO community:
- Increased display of thumbnails in the SERPs: Observations show that for certain search queries, such as “online casino”, thumbnails appear more frequently in the search results. This indicates that Google is increasingly integrating visual elements to improve the user experience.
- Changes in the display of featured snippets: The frequency and position of featured snippets has been found to vary. Some websites have lost their snippet placements, while others have gained new ones. This could indicate adjustments in Google's evaluation criteria for snippets.
- Fluctuations in local search results: Businesses are reporting fluctuations in local rankings. Some local businesses are seeing an increase in visibility, while others are experiencing losses. This could indicate that the update is rebalancing local SEO factors.
- Impact on e-commerce websites: Some online stores are seeing changes in their rankings, especially for product pages. Pages with detailed product descriptions and customer reviews seem to be performing better, indicating an increased focus on high-quality content.
- Changes in the evaluation of backlinks: SEO experts report fluctuations in connection with backlink profiles. Websites with natural and topic-relevant backlinks appear to benefit from the update, while sites with unnatural link patterns are experiencing losses.
Effects of the core update on your website
A core update often brings visible changes to the search results. While some pages see gains in visibility, others unexpectedly lose ranking. This is because Google is constantly working on its definition of “high-quality content” and adapting its algorithms accordingly. A loss in ranking therefore does not necessarily mean that your site has become worse, but may indicate that adjustments are necessary to continue to meet user needs.
What to do if your rankings drop after the update?
If your website has lost visibility after the update, the following steps can help:
- Content analysis and optimization: Check your content for relevance and topicality. Make sure that the information is comprehensive and helpful for your target group.
- Improving the user experience (UX): A good user experience is now essential. This includes fast loading times, mobile optimization and clear navigation that offers users a positive experience.
- Focus on E-E-A-T (expertise, experience, authority, trust): Google values sites that exude credibility and authority. Content from reliable and knowledgeable sources is preferred. Strengthening your E-E-A-T signals can have a positive impact on your ranking.
What is a Google Core Update?
A Google core update is a fundamental adjustment to the search algorithm that affects the presentation and weighting of search results. Unlike smaller updates that affect specific technical or content areas, core updates often have an overarching effect on a large number of websites and industries. With each of these updates, Google improves its search results to provide more relevant content for users. For website operators, this means that SEO strategies should be regularly reviewed and adjusted if necessary.
Google has been carrying out core updates for many years and they are now a central component of the company's algorithm management. Since the first core update, the criteria have continued to evolve. In recent years in particular, Google has placed a clear focus on user signals such as dwell time and bounce rate. The November update is the latest example of this continuous development.
The current Google Core Update shows once again how dynamic the field of SEO is. By regularly reviewing and adapting your content and focusing on user-friendliness and trust, you can mitigate the effects of such updates and remain successful in the long term.
If you have any further questions or would like a detailed analysis of your content, our experienced SEO experts will be happy to assist you.
