Google May 2020 Core Update - How To Stay On Top Of Rankings

Google has just released a core algorithm update on May 4th. This core update is officially known as the “May 2020 Core Update”. This is the second major update this year after the core algorithm update that was released in January. 

Through these updates, Google aims to improve the quality and relevancy of results that is presented to users when they query in the search engine. As with any other core algorithm update, many websites are going to experience volatile fluctuations in their rankings.

Since Google doesn’t lay out exactly what changes they bring with the updates, no one is able to manipulate the results in their favor. Google tweeted earlier announcing this core update:

Later today, we are releasing a broad core algorithm update, as we do several times per year. It is called the May 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) May 4, 2020

A Broad Core Algorithm Update

As we can see from the tweet above, Google indicates that this is a broad update which means there are many changes that comes with this update. This is in contrast to the regular updates that they release introducing small changes. 

Also in the tweet, a webmaster blog post is linked which covers information on what webmasters should expect from core updates like these. Google states, 

“Sometimes, an update may be more noticeable. We aim to confirm such updates when we feel there is actionable information that webmasters, content producers or others might take in relation to them. 

Several times a year, we make significant, broad changes to our search algorithms and systems. We refer to these as “core updates.” They’re designed to ensure that overall, we’re delivering on our mission to present relevant and authoritative content to searchers”

What Should You Know About Core Updates

As stated above, core updates are major updates that bring in significant changes to the search algorithms and systems of Google. The aim is to increase relevance and authoritative content to searchers. 

Naturally with these many changes, there is going to be a considerable reshuffling of rankings. Some websites gain ranks while others drop in rankings. However, Google states there is nothing to worry about if your site falls in ranks. 

They advise not to make any radical changes or look for a fix. In fact, there may be nothing to fix at all. Google also assures the websites that fall in rankings that there is no manual algorithmic action taken here unless they have violated the webmaster guidelines.

The main aspect Google has asked to focus is on content while keeping other variables constant. If your rankings fall, most of the time it's the content that’s to be blamed. Making the content more relevant and unique will boost your rankings again.

This core update is the first since the emergence of Covid-19 pandemic. This pandemic has changed the way people search on Google. Things that weren’t as relevant before are now gaining popularity.

This update should reflect on these changes and make it easier for users to find what they are looking for. 

How to stay on top of rankings after this update 

As stated previously, nobody knows the exact changes that are made in the algorithm that affects the rankings. The only thing that you should keep working on is your website content and aim to make it better.

Your content defines your website and will influence search engine rankings more than anything else. Google advises not to make any fix to your website to cause unintended repercussions to your website’s rankings. 

Here’s what you can aim to do: for every topic that you write content on, try to make your content the most original and comprehensive compared to other websites in the search results. 

Create content that is relevant, original, covers all ground, unique, optimized, information that is trustworthy, and avoid copying or plagiarizing content from other sources.

How is our website adapting to the new algorithm change

We are a web and mobile app development company based in Dubai. Due to the lockdown resulting from the pandemic, the demand for our services has increased a lot. Henceforth, our traffic has increased by 8 times in the month of April compared to the previous month. 

With the addition of the core algorithm update, we are now creating and publishing more content than ever. It’s not just mindless creation of content, all our content is original and comprehensive that helps us rank high in search engine results.

We would recommend you do the same and provide meaningful content to your readers.

How to create great content

There is a lot that goes into creating great content. However, it is outside the scope of this article to cover writing content for your website. The CEO of our company, Mr. Rajib Roy has written a book on how to convert your website into a lead machine.

In chapter 5 of the book, he speaks in volume about website content and how you can create content based on your buyer’s journey. You will also learn about the types of content that goes into a website and how to write content is both loved by your readers and ranks high in search engine results.

You can check out the book here: Turn Your Website into a Lead Machine