Google’s November 2023 Core Update: What You Need to Know
Google has announced the rollout of its November 2023 core update, marking the fourth broad core algorithm update of the year. This update is the second major change to its search algorithm in as many months.
What is a Core Update?
Core updates are periodic adjustments to the algorithms that power Google’s search results. They’re designed to improve the relevance and quality of the web pages shown for search queries. Google has different systems that are considered core to its ranking process.
The November 2023 Core Update
The November 2023 core update is now rolling out and may take up to two weeks to complete. This is the fourth broad core algorithm update of 2023. This core update involves an improvement to a different core system than last month.
Previous Updates in 2023
The first core update of 2023 was the March 2023 core update, which started rolling out on March 15 and was completed on March 28. The second core update of 2023 was the August 2023 core update, which started rolling out on August 22 and was completed on September 7. The third core update was the October 2023 core update, which started rolling out on October 5 and was completed on October 19.
Impact of the Core Update
If your site is affected by a core update, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re being penalized for spam. Non-spam issues may be the cause. Google suggests that most website owners don’t need to make significant changes in response to core updates. However, Google recommends reviewing its core update guidance in case traffic or rankings are impacted.
Google’s Advice
Google has given advice on what to consider if you are negatively impacted by a core update. Focusing on high-quality, useful content is always advisable. Google has published an updated Q&A addressing common questions about how search updates work.
Key Takeaways
This November core update marks the second such adjustment in as many months. Google says it will continue periodically tweaking its algorithms to improve search relevance for users worldwide.
