Major Google Reviews Update Coming in November 2023: What You Need to Know
Google has announced a significant update to its Reviews System, set to roll out in November 2023. This update marks the beginning of a new phase for the review system, which could have implications for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategies.
The Reviews System
The Reviews System is designed to evaluate articles, blog posts, pages, or similar first-party standalone content written with the purpose of providing a recommendation, giving an opinion, or providing analysis. It does not evaluate third-party reviews, such as those posted by users in the reviews section of a product or services page.
The Update
The announcement about the update is concise and to the point: “We expect an update to our reviews system to start rolling out next week. This means November is going to be a month of major updates, starting with the November Core Algorithm Update and the Reviews System Update.
Impact on SEO
The update could potentially impact SEO strategies. The Reviews System is likely a machine learning model with a classifier process, similar to the Helpful Content System. While the documentation doesn’t talk about signals or how the system is a part of the ranking process, it’s clear that the system evaluates content that provides recommendations, opinions, or analysis.
Regular Updates
After the Reviews System update rolls out, Google will transition to regular releases of updates and improvements to the system. This means that improvements to the review system will be integrated regularly and seamlessly without prior announcements.
Key Takeaways
Understanding when and how Google updates its algorithms is pivotal. When these updates occur, they can significantly affect a website’s visibility and ranking in search results. Therefore, staying up-to-date with these changes is crucial for webmasters and SEO professionals. With the upcoming Reviews Update, it’s more important than ever to ensure your content is high-quality and provides value to users.
