December 17, 2024
Thursday December 12th, Google announced that they’re rolling out their next core update. It’s been less than a week since their last update finished rolling out, taking two more weeks than expected. This time around, Google is again expecting the rollout to take about two weeks. We’re left in the dark as to the why of this rapid succession of core updates, but as per usual, we’ve been monitoring chatter, and are we’re ready to draw some first conclusions. Let’s dive in!
Google updates in 2024
What's changing this time around
Google has given us one small tidbit of information: they have more core systems, and those also need updating. Now that doesn't say much, but it does tell us that it doesn't seem like they're rolling back changes that they've made in the November core update. Like the November update, we expect this to be a fairly non-targeted broad algorithm update.
While it's interesting to see Google rolling out these big updates to their algorithm in quick succession, it's not a first, and it's (according to them) perfectly reasonable as well. This article gives you some previously given context from Google, as to why they're rolling out these quick-fire updates.
Who this update will impact the most
We yet again are only left to guess (and research) the real goals and targets of this update. Google hasn't released any statement regarding what they have in mind with this December Core update. What we do have, is our trusted friend Glenn Gabe being right on top of everything, like we're used to. He has reported seeing big drops AND big gains for several eCommerce sites, giving the impression that their sites are being targeted by the update, right during their most crucial revenue season of the year.
Tough seeing ecommerce sites, or any site that relies on the holiday shopping season, see negative impact NOW. E.g. here's an ecommerce site dropping with the December core update. I have a number of sites documented that are ecommerce sites, or other sites that rely on the… pic.twitter.com/iDgPgEyGql
— Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) December 17, 2024
What to do during the rollout
With an expected rollout of about two weeks, the December Core update is yet again a relatively short core update, which usually is accompanied with a highly volatile SERP. We're advising you mainly to stay cool, calm and collected, and wait out the storm for now.
What to do when you get hit
You got hit! Now what? Well, first of all: don't panic just yet. Wait for the December 2024 Core update to be fully rolled out (and then some) before taking drastic action. With a highly volatile SERP as this, big drops can subsequently result in big gains, and vice versa. So just hang tight for a few weeks, and ride out this latest update wave.
If you got hit by the latest update, and have not seen any improvements though, this might be the time to start bettering your ways, by focusing on helpful content.
We've all seen them before, I've also mentioned these in my previous core update blog, but let's put the most important content quality factors in a list for you again:
- Consider the reader: make sure that your content is written with your users in mind. What is your reader looking for, what questions drive them, why are they looking for these answers in the first place?
- Make sure your content is original: Google doesn't like regurgitated content, and honestly, neither does your audience! If you're just going to repeat the different pointers that the competition already wrote about, without adding any input or insight of your own, you're better off not writing anything at all.
- Focus on quality, not on speed: Sloppiness is spelling errors are bad… for users AND for your rankings! Yes, Google cares about spelling and grammar, so let's hope that you paid attention back in school.
- Google recognizes authority: Google cares about who is producing your blogs, guides, cases, and pages alike! Use structured data for your author profiles and start building up some nice authority for the authors in your company. And yes, Google does some basic background checking if people actually exist, so don't go making up any AI writers, my friends.
Conclusion
The key takeaways from this core update as of now:
- The December 2024 Core update will take about two weeks to roll out, finishing up around the 26th of December.
- The eCommerce branche seems to be taking some punches from this update.
- Keep calm, and don't start updating your money-pages while the rollout it still happening.
Corporate Marketing Manager
Niels Krikke is the Corporate Marketing Manager at Seeders Zwolle. With a background in strategic marketing and a keen eye for detail, Niels is dedicated to creating effective marketing campaigns that drive results. With a focus on data-driven strategies and a passion for innovation, Niels plays a key role in developing and executing marketing initiatives that help us achieve our business goals.
