Insights from Google’s December 2024 Core Update: What You Need to Know

Understanding Google’s Latest Core Update

On December 12, 2024, Google rolled out its fourth core update of the year. This unexpected update came merely a week after the completion of the November core update, which spanned from November 11 to December 5. As Google indicated, this update will continue for about two weeks, impacting various types of content globally.

Reasons Behind Frequent Updates

Google has acknowledged in its communications that it is continuously enhancing its core systems. In a tweet, Google stated, “If you’re wondering why there’s a core update this month after one last month, we have different core systems we’re always improving.” This goes to show the unpredictability of Google’s update schedule, as highlighted by Tom Morton, Head of Acquisition at Door4.

Advice for Website Owners

So, what should site owners do if they notice fluctuations in their rankings? Google’s guidance remains consistent: focus on producing helpful, reliable content that is geared toward users rather than search engines. They reiterated that pages may experience changes in rankings due to core updates, but this does not necessarily indicate any issues with the pages themselves. Previous statements from Google urge content creators to engage with their ‘creating helpful, reliable, people-first content help page’ for further direction.

“Google’s December 2024 Core Update shows the growing need for SEOs to stay agile and prioritise user-first, reliable content in an ever-evolving search landscape”

Alex Feathers – Door4.

Community Reactions and Speculation

The SEO community has been buzzing with opinions since the announcement. On X, industry professionals have expressed mixed feelings about the potential impacts, with some immediately observing significant drops or increases in traffic. One user noted, “We’ll see a year-end traffic drop starting tomorrow, then we will see a larger drop Friday the 20th. It’s the same every year.” Meanwhile, another remarked, “Literally not a single calm week,” reflecting the ongoing volatility in search results.

The Bigger Picture

When considering these developments, it’s vital to remember the broader trends suggested by Google. The December core update is part of a pattern towards more frequent updates that aim to deliver better search results. As confirmed by Danny Sullivan, Google’s Search Liaison: “We’re always improving our systems to deliver better search results. If an update is ready, why wait?” This indicates a shift towards a more dynamic and responsive algorithm—one that necessitates constant adaptation from marketers and content creators.

Sources:

• https://www.seroundtable.com/google-december-2024-core-update-live-38570.html
• https://searchengineland.com/google-december-2024-core-update-rolling-out-now-449255