Google confirmed that a broad core algorithm update, called the May 2022 Core Update, is rolling out today.
Today, we’re releasing a broad core update, like we do several times a year. This update is called the May 2022 Core Update. Learn more: https://t.co/7kFklwdkAb
— Google Search Center (@googlesearchc) May 25, 2022
The core update is designed to make search results more relevant to users. Although the update was released today, it will take 1-2 weeks for this update to fully roll out.
Danny Sullivan, Google’s public liaison for search, noted that changes in site performance in search results were to be expected.
“Core updates are changes we’ve made to improve overall search and keep up with the ever-changing nature of the web. While there’s nothing specific to any particular site in the core updates, these updates may have some noticeable effects on how sites perform The change……”
Google is known for the same guidelines it released in 2019 when the core update rolled out.
Nothing has changed there, as Google is referencing the same documentation in this update.
In summary, Google’s general recommendations for core updates are as follows:
- Expect wide-ranging effects, such as a spike or drop in search rankings.
- Core updates are “broad” because they don’t target anything specific. Instead, they’re designed to improve Google’s systems as a whole.
- Pages that drop in ranking are not penalized; they are being re-evaluated based on other web content published since the last update.
- Focusing on delivering the best content is the preferred way to deal with the impact of core algorithm updates.
- Extensive core updates happen every few months. Sites may not recover from one update until the next update rolls out.
- Improvement does not guarantee recovery. However, choosing not to implement any improvements will actually guarantee no recovery.
It’s been six months since the last Google Core update rolled out in November 2021.
Those who have been hard at work on their site during that time may start to see some noticeable improvements in search rankings.
On the other hand, those who leave the site may start to find themselves outranked by sites with more relevant content.
However, it’s too early to start assessing the impact, as the update will take a week or more to roll out.
During this time, your ranking may fluctuate, so don’t panic if you notice a change right away.
Google will confirm when the update has finished rolling out, and then it’s time to start analyzing it.
Featured image: salarko/Shutterstock
