As a marketer, I am already scared. Another core update on the way? Should we be marketing or cater to Google’s algorithms? That is a million dollar question. There is no news on the changes that the September 2022 broad core update would bring. Let’s see what it could entail, as of now…
Google is the market leader in search and the secret is that it regularly improves its ranking algorithm. According to the MOZ grapevine, we do not rule out an average of 8 to 10 updates a day out.
These are smaller algorithms, but a larger one is called the core update. A core update causes tremors in SERPs and we can feel them far and wide in the search landscape. Understanding core updates is the key to better search rankings.
A core update involves changing the search engine algorithm in a major way. So, search engine algorithms are ever changing. However, the impact of a core update is much larger.
The September 2022 broad core update
There has been no buzz yet about the September 2022 broad core update. Google announced a September 12, 2022 rollout and said it could take about 2 weeks to show changes. Core updates are mostly generic and this update would affect all languages, geographies, categories, and domains.
Since 2020, we have seen 6 broad core updates, swinging the results with varying effects.
We do not yet know what the September 2022 broad core update would bring, but notable core updates we have from the search king are:
- Penguin
- Fred
- Panda
- Hummingbird
- Pigeon
- Rankbrain
- BERT
- Medic
- Possum
- Mobilegeddon
- Freshness
What’s common across all these updates is that we have seen large SERP swings and we can expect the same this time around.
Small updates Vs Broad core updates
As we saw earlier, Google updates its search algorithm about 8 to 10 times a day. These are minor updates and they improve relevance and quality of SERPs. They affect a few pages, possibly about 0.1 to 1 percent of searches. Normally, webmasters see little into these.
A broad core update could affect 5 to 10 percent of searches and Google releases about 2 to 3 such updates a year. The September 2022 broad core update is one of them and may cause tremors in SERPs. Such updates are planned weeks ahead and take more time to roll out to Google’s data centres. The September 2022 broad core update is going to take about 2 weeks to roll out completely.
Effect of a broad core update on SEO
Search engine optimization as we all know is adjusting a webpage or the entire website to Google’s best practices and ensure that it finds favour with its search algorithm.
With a broad core update, the search engine algorithm changes drastically and ranking might go up or take a beating.
For example, you may have some great work to focus on a certain ranking factor and a core update may do away with the ranking factor. Since the factor is no longer in play, your ranking drops. Conversely, the update could add another entirely new ranking factor and the results will be the same.
A broad core update or a medium update may also impose penalties for not following or adhering to Google’s search game.
For example, the helpful content update that was rolled out in August 2022. Or, the Panda update that gave out algorithmic penalties for thin content websites.
An update like the #september2022coreupdate may affect more than just search ranking. It may affect alternative listings like featured snippets, knowledge graph panels and PAA (People Also Ask) results.
Will the September 2022 core update augment the #helpfulcontentupdate?
Helpful content update is a part of a core algorithm update and is a site wide classification. It continuously runs even during the September 2022 broad core update roll out.
However, if Google makes the helpful content update a part of the September 2022 broad core update, it will be premature to predict the results. We have already seen that the helpful content update did not cause too much of noise.
As of now, the helpful content update gets only a shrug from most webmasters and a few of them are expecting it to be a part of the September 2022 broad core update. I agree with them; I feel the helpful content update will be a part of the broad core update.
Since Google has always advised to focus on content to be on its good books, I feel the helpful content update has not been as effective as expected. And the September 2022 core update is going to swing the pistol on thin content sites differently.
Dealing with a core update
All of us as marketers have learnt the hard way to deal with impactful Google updates, however, just a reminder as to how we can reduce its impact, in case…
Identifying a core update
Look for announcements across Google blogs. Better still follow @searchliaison at twitter to get to know more about forthcoming updates and news from Google.
Preparing for a core update
First read about the update. Google normally announces the purpose of the update and its impact before rolling it out, but not always. For example, we are yet to understand the purpose of September 2022 broad core update.
If you feel that your website is going to be affected, you may need to tweak certain aspects of your search engine optimization process.
Don’t be on the offending website list for the coming core update. Follow Google’s webmaster blog to keep updated.
Responding to a core update
Once the SERPS change, keep track of your search console and do nothing yet.
The SERPs will bounce for a few weeks. Let them settle down before taking any action. This may sound like inaction, but it is best to act once the update has settled down.
Conclusion…
In our opinion, the September 2022 core update will not change SERPs much. And Google’s recommendation to contend with core updates has always been to focus on content. So, if you spot-on with content, there is nothing to worry. Also, with search trends changing due to the pandemic and with the helpful content update not disturbing the waters much, I do not see the September 2022 broad core update making waves.
Go on, comment below about how this core update is going to swing the SERPs.
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