Google’s December 2020 Core Update

Have your rankings fluctuated recently? It may be because of the new Google December 2020 core update. The update rolled out on Dec 3, but the impact was mostly felt on Dec. 4.

Like all core updates, this was a global update and was not specific to any region, language or category of web sites. It is a classic “broad core update” that Google releases every few months or so.

Later today, we are releasing a broad core algorithm update, as we do several times per year. It is called the December 2020 Core Update. Our guidance about such updates remains as we’ve covered before. Please see this blog post for more about that:https://t.co/e5ZQUAlt0G
— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) December 3, 2020

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How does this affect my business?

Domains can either lose or gain visibility. With core updates, the available visibility is redistributed, so there are always winners and losers. Some have also criticised the timing of the update coming out just before Christmas as businesses might lose out on critical sales, whilst others gain them.

Businesses have spent months securing that #1 ranking position with the help of SEO to then be pushed to the 2nd or 3rd page after this update. However, for several of our clients, who we have been working hard on improving all aspects of their sites all year, have seen improved rankings and traffic increases since the update.

Did Google release the December 2020 Core update at a good or bad time? After Black Friday/Cyber Monday but before the still holidays.
— Barry Schwartz (@rustybrick) December 6, 2020

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What to do if you’ve been hit badly

Due to the recent changes in Google’s ranking algorithm, there will be many businesses losing out. So, how do you improve your rankings?

Google said recently, “We suggest focusing on ensuring you’re offering the best content you can. That’s what our algorithms seek to reward.”

E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness) is a very important aspect of how the algorithm views your content, brand and overall business. If your website or pages don’t have some sort of beneficial purpose, don’t intend to help users or spread misinformation, they will receive the lowest rating. Google said:

“Reading the guidelines may help you assess how your content is doing from an E-A-T perspective and improvements to consider“

if your site was hit by this 2020 Google core update, it is often recommended to step back from it all, take a wider view of your overall website and see what you can do to improve the site overall.