How to Prepare Your Site for Google’s Next Big Algorithm Update

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Google is famous for updating its search algorithm every now and then. Through these updates, it changes the rules of the SEO game, with an aim to refine the search algorithm. To maintain your search engine result page rankings, staying updated with these updates is really important.

Furthermore, you need to develop an SEO strategy that can adapt to such changes. It should be able to keep your rankings and visibility steady without being affected by algorithm updates.

In this article, you will learn about various ways to prepare your website for the next significant updates on Google’s Search Algorithm. You will also explore how these major updates can have an impact on your website’s SEO.

Google Algorithm Updates: What Exactly Are They?

Google algorithm updates are the alterations made to the search engine’s algorithms. The goal behind these alterations is to improve the way it ranks and retrieves content with respect to a search query.

Such updates help Google refine the quality, relevance, and accuracy of search results. Through these updates, Google ensures that users find the most credible and helpful information.

According to experts in SEO in Barrie, Google frequently makes changes to the search. However, most of these changes are minor. In fact, in 2023, Google launched 4781 updates that may seem too much to even monitor.

Fortunately, there’s no such need to learn about every minor tweak. However, you need to keep up with major updates that happen a few times annually. These are the ones with a significant impact on your website rankings and visibility, along with your SEO strategy.

Some notable updates include:

• Panda(2011):

This update helped Google target content that was duplicate, thin, and low in quality.

• Penguin(2012):

This update addressed black hat tactics like manipulative link-building and over-optimization.

• Hummingbird(2013):

This update is focused on semantic search and comprehending the intent behind every query.

• RankBrain(2015):

This update brought machine learning to the forefront to enhance search engine results.

• BERT(2019):

This update improved the understanding of natural language and the context behind every query.

• Helpful Content Update(2022):

Through this content, Google rewarded content that is genuinely made for users, not search engines.

• March 2024 Core Update:

Google introduced this core update to double down on the quality of online content. It further strengthened anti-spam measures.

How Does Your SEO Campaign Get Affected by Google’s Algorithm Updates?

Google’s algorithm updates affect an SEO campaign by altering the way content is ranked. To maintain and enhance their search rankings, websites need to focus on quality, relevance, and, most importantly, user experience.

The recent core update that was rolled out in March 2024 cut low-quality content in SERPs by 45%. If you notice the direction towards which search result is shifting, the chances of an impending algorithm update will be higher.

SERP volatility is one of the first and most evident symptoms. It can be quite frustrating, especially if your content was previously ranking higher. You may notice a sudden drop in your rank, whereas a page with low content quality experiences a boost.

It may be quite annoying, yet dropping of ranks is perfectly normal while Google tries these changes. Once the algorithm update gets finalized, SERPs get clean and stabilized.

However, it doesn’t imply that websites would get their previous ranks back, which can be unfortunate. Some pages experience permanent rank drop, which leads to significant loss of traffic.

There are some cases where a website lost 90% of traffic on a single day after the March 2024 update. Such cases are the extreme ones, and websites usually don’t get hit this hard. However, if you are developing content in the right direction, these updates will boost the performance and rankings of your site further.

How to Prepare Your Site for Bigger Algorithm Updates from Google in the Future?

Although you won’t be able to control the performance of your website during the rollout of Google’s major algorithm updates, you can follow the steps given below to lower its volatility and ensure steady growth:

• Develop a Brand:

If you have a choice to buy from a well-known brand versus one that isn’t well-established, it is obvious that you will choose the former. Google also thinks in a similar manner.

A website that has made a name for itself is generally considered trustworthy. Such a website’s search rankings and visibility will not be affected that much by these major algorithms.

Furthermore, you need to utilize branded searches, acquire high-quality backlinks, and stay active on social media. By doing these things, you will be able to build a brand for your business online.

• Showcase E-E-A-T:

Experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness are the four essential aspects that Google wants to see in a website. Trust is the most essential factor, along with which the other three aspects need to be established in your content.

If you are considered an authority by Google’s search engine algorithm, you are less likely to experience an impact.

The best ways to demonstrate E-E-A-T in your content include:

• Consistently publishing top-quality content that has valuable information for the readers.
  
• Showcasing your depth of expertise by presenting your credentials and any sort of authority in your niche.
  
• Developing authoritative backlinks.

• Offer a Positive User Experience:

The main purpose of Google’s algorithm updates is to improve the user experience. Google wants users to find what they want quickly and effortlessly while enjoying the entire process.

You need to tweak your SEO strategies as per the updates and ensure that your website aligns with Google’s approach towards user experience. 

Apart from all these things, you need to stay on loop with newer updates, regularly audit the content of your website, and check your site for overall issues after every update.

To Summarize

With every update, Google strengthens its focus towards improving user experience and valuable content. These updates may shake your rankings to some extent and may have a significant impact on your SEO strategy.

However, with the abovementioned tactics, you will be able to minimize the impact of these updates on your website, ensuring proper maintenance of your SERP rankings and visibility.