October brings Google’s third major core update of the year. These updates are extremely important as they allow Google to continuously improve the algorithms, and therefore the search experience. While Google runs minor updates year-round, core updates affect a broad range of Google’s algorithms and systems and are more likely to produce noticeable rank changes.
Learn more about the previous updates, including tips on what to focus on, recovery from hits, and more.
- Google Core Update August 2023
- Google Core Update March 2023
- Google Core Update September 2022
- Google Core Update May 2022
Update Alert:
October 2023: Google releases the October 2023 core update. The update began on October 5th and was completed on October 19th.
Google Core Update October 2023 Spurs Confusion
It’s quite fitting that this core update has an October release. Considering that Halloween is right around the corner, Google has certainly decided to frighten SEO enthusiasts with three back-to-back major updates. Not to mention the previous core update just finished about 6 weeks ago. Between this newest core update, the most recent spam update released the day before, and the helpful content update in September, SERP volatility has been high and unpredictable.
Not sure what to make of all these updates so close together? You’re not the only one. However, Google did address this concern, even if the answer is a bit vague. Then again, with the number of factors that go into ranking, it is impossible to give a concrete reason for rank change.
Normally, we do try to keep updates like these apart, but it's not always possible. But anyone trying to understand changes, it's pretty straight-forward. If you don't spam, and see changes, then it might be the core update. If you do spam and see changes, it's probably the spam…
— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) October 5, 2023
Beyond the Core Update
Updates galore, changes to the SERP, and high volatility with rank changes have certainly led to frustration for SEO enthusiasts and businesses alike. As updates are made, businesses must analyze their website and data to ensure that their SEO strategy is still effective. Sometimes, tweaks need to be made. So, let’s take a look at what we know about this core update and moving forward through this highly volatile SEO landscape.
Recap: What We Know
Name: Google Core Update October 2023
Launched: October 5, 2023
Targets: All types of content including features, snippets, and more.
Penalty: Not a penalty, intended to promote good webpages.
Global: This is a global update impacting all regions and languages.
Moving Past Updates & Rank Changes
Seemingly, many people were impacted in the past month as all of Google’s updates rolled out. If you happen to be one of them, you are probably concerned with how to move forward. We can tell you that there is NOT a quick fix.
Unfortunately, it could take months to see decent improvements, and some websites could take much longer. So, don’t feel like you need to spend the next week making a ton of changes or corrections. Also, keep in mind that Google makes minor updates year-round that are not announced which may help or hurt you more.
If you do want to start strategizing a way to help your webpage rankings, our recommendations include:
- Familiarize yourself with the Google Search Essentials.
- Follow Google’s spam policies.
- Make sure your content is up to Google’s standards.
- Work on your on-page and off-page SEO.
- Stay on top of future updates and follow SEO industry changes.
If you have gone through all of this and are still struggling, or you just don’t have the patience, then it might be time to consult an SEO expert. Cyberlicious® has just the guy for you, so reach out and we can get you set up for sweet success.