What is the Google Core Update?
Major changes in the November 2024 update
- Greater focus on search intent: The algorithm now better interprets nuances in user intent, favoring pages that deliver specific and complete answers. This is crucial for queries that have multiple contextual meanings.
- Relevance of updated content: Sites with old or outdated content may have lost rankings, while those offering fresh information on dynamic topics have gained prominence.
- More rigorous technical evaluation: Technical performance, such as loading time and responsiveness on mobile devices, received more attention, penalizing pages with structural problems.
- EEAT Enhancement: Google continues to prioritize principles of Experience, Expertise, Authority and Trust (EEAT). Sites that demonstrate credibility through verifiable sources have benefited.
Impact on websites
- Health and finance websites: These niches, historically more sensitive to updates, have undergone more intense changes due to the high demand for credibility.
- E-commerce: Product pages were valued when they featured detailed descriptions, real consumer reviews, and high technical performance.
- Education and technical content: Sites that keep educational materials up to date and accessible have seen significant increases in traffic.
What to do to adapt?
- Revisit existing content: Update old articles, insert recent data and improve the navigation structure.
- Focus on user intent: Make sure your content directly answers the question or need that brought the user to your page.
- Optimize technical aspects: Use tools like Google Insights PageSpeed to improve loading times and ensure your website is responsive.
- Strengthen credibility: Include links to reliable sources, display information about the authors, and maintain a clear privacy policy.