Are You Ready for Google’s Latest Core Update – May 2020

“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.”

On 4th May, a tweet post by Google read so. And on 5th May at 1.22 am, yet another Google tweet came to the forefront: “The May 2020 Core Update is rolling out live. As is typical with these updates, it will typically take about one to two weeks to fully roll out.”

This is Google’s second update confirmation in 2020 – the first one launched back in January. The goal behind these updates is to improve the quality of the results users find on entering a search query on Google. While this is indeed good news for the end-users, many sites may see their ranking fluctuate as a result of the core update! And according to the SEO agency geeks, this algorithm update has the potential to be quite volatile.

Why?

Because… It’s the First Core Update since COVID-19 Struck

A lot of things have changed since the pandemic including a major shift in users’ search behaviour. Google itself mentions that there have never been so many searches on a single topic as happened for COVID-19.

The pandemic truly changed what people look for in Google. Whether to seek information about the virus, find out places offering remote services, or buy essential items online – many things are gaining relevance that weren’t in the limelight before.

And the reverse is also true. Highly relevant categories even during the last update in January aren’t being searched for as much. The searches related to live entertainment, tourism, travel are only to name a few.
And Google seeks to catch up with the contemporary time.

Google has explained how the core update operates with a simple example. Imagine you have made a list of the top 100 movies back in 2016. Then in 2020, if you refresh the list, it’ll definitely change. Some new and wonderful movies that didn’t exist at that time will now demand inclusion. Also, some movies that were at a high place earlier may now drop in rank.

And that’s just the case here. Sites may face drop and gain in rank with this core update rolling out.

So, what’s the way out?

Let’s hear it from Google again – after all, if it creates ‘troubles’, it’ll also give a necessary solution.

Google strictly mentions that it wants to ensure that the sites experiencing a rank-drop don’t try to “fix” anything. And with this quick-fix strategy gone at bay, the site owners are advised to focus on their content. So, you need to make sure that each piece of content is the most holistic resource on the web and offers an awesome user-experience; satisfying the goal of Google. Further, if you find a bit overwhelming to generate holistic content, take the help of professional SEO services India.

Here are a few guidelines on improving content

• Make sure the content provides original and comprehensive information and does justice to the topic.
• Conduct thorough research to go beyond the basic and obvious info.
• Focus on the headline that should provide a descriptive summary of the content.
• Avoid factual errors, spelling, and stylistic issues.
• Stop using an excessive number of ads that cover half of the content.
• Focus on writing valuable and engaging content.
• Optimize the page for mobile devices.
• The content should possess E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) to stand out among the rest.

And… what about its impact on the SEO domain

We started the article with a note that the Google core update is good news for the end-users, but two other domains will also thrive due to this – content writing and SEO.

During today’s critical condition and economic flux, clients are pausing services and companies are laying off staff. But the core update is here to reaffirm the importance of the SEO service providers. In fact, the more volatile an update, the more relevant the Search Engine Optimization service. And content is the central part of it, as Google points out time and again that the most relevant, useful, informative, and comprehensive content will be rewarded with a high rank.

Closing Thoughts
Google may bring out some more guidelines on how to survive and win the core update after it fully rolls out. But that the relevance of SEO will become more important than ever is certain. So, if you want your business to thrive in this competitive and challenging digital world, it’s high time to engage professionals from any top SEO agency.

On a separate yet relevant note, are you curious to know how to manage social media activities with COVID-19 around? Take a quick look then.

Stay safe. Best wishes.