Google Updates

Quick facts The November 2023 Core Update began on 2 November 2023 and finished around 27 November 2023. It was a core update, a broad improvement to Google’s overall ranking systems. What was the November 2023 Core Update? A broad re-assessment of content quality. Core updates are not penalties. They re-assess how well pages meet searchers’ needs, so some sites rise and others fall. Dates are taken from Google’s Search Status Dashboard and may be off by a day because end dates are calculated from the stated rollout length. Who was affected? Visibility changes can show up in rankings, clicks and impressions. Check the rollout window in Google Search Console and compare it with the previous period. Seasonality and tracking changes can also cause movement, so look at several weeks of data. What to do after the November 2023 Core Update Check Search Console to confirm whether your drop or gain lines up with the rollout dates. Compare your pages against the top results: are they more complete, original and clearly written by someone with experience? Improve the pages that lost most: add first-hand detail, current data, clear authorship and better structure. Wait until the rollout has finished before judging results, then compare against a similar period before it. Avoid knee-jerk changes; focus on durable quality, not tricks. Related updates Previous: October 2023 Core Update Next: November 2023 Reviews Update Full Google algorithm updates timeline (2021 to 2026) Get an SEO audit after a ranking change Frequently asked questions When did the November 2023 Core Update roll out? According to Google’s Search Status Dashboard it rolled out from 2 November 2023 to about 27 November 2023. Was the November 2023 Core Update a penalty? No. It was a ranking system update, not a manual penalty, so there is no reconsideration request to file. How do I check if my site was affected? Compare clicks and impressions in Google Search Console before, during and after the rollout, and look at which pages and queries changed. Lost rankings after an update? We review what changed, find the cause and build a recovery plan. Book an SEO audit

Quick facts The October 2023 Core Update began on 5 October 2023 and finished around 18 October 2023. It was a core update, a broad improvement to Google’s overall ranking systems. What was the October 2023 Core Update? Rolled out while the October 2023 spam update was running. Core updates are not penalties. They re-assess how well pages meet searchers’ needs, so some sites rise and others fall. Dates are taken from Google’s Search Status Dashboard and may be off by a day because end dates are calculated from the stated rollout length. Who was affected? Visibility changes can show up in rankings, clicks and impressions. Check the rollout window in Google Search Console and compare it with the previous period. Seasonality and tracking changes can also cause movement, so look at several weeks of data. What to do after the October 2023 Core Update Check Search Console to confirm whether your drop or gain lines up with the rollout dates. Compare your pages against the top results: are they more complete, original and clearly written by someone with experience? Improve the pages that lost most: add first-hand detail, current data, clear authorship and better structure. Wait until the rollout has finished before judging results, then compare against a similar period before it. Avoid knee-jerk changes; focus on durable quality, not tricks. Related updates Previous: October 2023 Spam Update Next: November 2023 Core Update Full Google algorithm updates timeline (2021 to 2026) Get an SEO audit after a ranking change Frequently asked questions When did the October 2023 Core Update roll out? According to Google’s Search Status Dashboard it rolled out from 5 October 2023 to about 18 October 2023. Was the October 2023 Core Update a penalty? No. It was a ranking system update, not a manual penalty, so there is no reconsideration request to file. How do I check if my site was affected? Compare clicks and impressions in Google Search Console before, during and after the rollout, and look at which pages and queries changed. Lost rankings after an update? We review what changed, find the cause and build a recovery plan. Book an SEO audit

Quick facts The October 2023 Spam Update began on 4 October 2023 and finished around 19 October 2023. It was a spam update, which improves how Google detects and neutralises spam that breaches its spam policies. What was the October 2023 Spam Update? Targeted spam in several languages and regions. Spam updates mainly affect sites using tactics that break Google’s spam policies, such as scaled low-value content, cloaking or link schemes. Dates are taken from Google’s Search Status Dashboard and may be off by a day because end dates are calculated from the stated rollout length. Who was affected? Visibility changes can show up in rankings, clicks and impressions. Check the rollout window in Google Search Console and compare it with the previous period. Seasonality and tracking changes can also cause movement, so look at several weeks of data. What to do after the October 2023 Spam Update Review Google’s spam policies and audit your site and backlink profile against them. Remove or fix thin, auto-generated or scraped content. Disavow or remove manipulative links you control or cannot otherwise clean up. Check for hacked pages, injected links and spammy user-generated content. If you were affected, fix the cause; recovery usually comes with later spam system updates. Related updates Previous: September 2023 Helpful Content Update Next: October 2023 Core Update Full Google algorithm updates timeline (2021 to 2026) Get an SEO audit after a ranking change Frequently asked questions When did the October 2023 Spam Update roll out? According to Google’s Search Status Dashboard it rolled out from 4 October 2023 to about 19 October 2023. Was the October 2023 Spam Update a penalty? Spam updates can reduce the visibility of pages that breach Google’s spam policies, but they are automated and not the same as a manual action. How do I check if my site was affected? Compare clicks and impressions in Google Search Console before, during and after the rollout, and look at which pages and queries changed. Lost rankings after an update? We review what changed, find the cause and build a recovery plan. Book an SEO audit

Quick facts The September 2023 Helpful Content Update began on 14 September 2023 and finished around 27 September 2023. It was a helpful content update, a sitewide signal aimed at content created mainly to attract search clicks rather than help people. What was the September 2023 Helpful Content Update? Refined the helpful content system; many independent publishers reported volatility. Content written for people with real expertise performs better than content built around keywords alone. Dates are taken from Google’s Search Status Dashboard and may be off by a day because end dates are calculated from the stated rollout length. Who was affected? Visibility changes can show up in rankings, clicks and impressions. Check the rollout window in Google Search Console and compare it with the previous period. Seasonality and tracking changes can also cause movement, so look at several weeks of data. What to do after the September 2023 Helpful Content Update Audit your content for pages that exist mainly to rank. Remove, merge or rewrite thin and repetitive pages. Add first-hand experience, original insight and clear sourcing. Make sure each page fully answers the query it targets. Be patient; sitewide signals can take time to reassess. Related updates Previous: August 2023 Core Update Next: October 2023 Spam Update Full Google algorithm updates timeline (2021 to 2026) Get an SEO audit after a ranking change Frequently asked questions When did the September 2023 Helpful Content Update roll out? According to Google’s Search Status Dashboard it rolled out from 14 September 2023 to about 27 September 2023. Was the September 2023 Helpful Content Update a penalty? No. It was a ranking system update, not a manual penalty, so there is no reconsideration request to file. How do I check if my site was affected? Compare clicks and impressions in Google Search Console before, during and after the rollout, and look at which pages and queries changed. Lost rankings after an update? We review what changed, find the cause and build a recovery plan. Book an SEO audit

Quick facts The August 2023 Core Update began on 22 August 2023 and finished around 7 September 2023. It was a core update, a broad improvement to Google’s overall ranking systems. What was the August 2023 Core Update? A broad re-assessment of content quality. Core updates are not penalties. They re-assess how well pages meet searchers’ needs, so some sites rise and others fall. Dates are taken from Google’s Search Status Dashboard and may be off by a day because end dates are calculated from the stated rollout length. Who was affected? Visibility changes can show up in rankings, clicks and impressions. Check the rollout window in Google Search Console and compare it with the previous period. Seasonality and tracking changes can also cause movement, so look at several weeks of data. What to do after the August 2023 Core Update Check Search Console to confirm whether your drop or gain lines up with the rollout dates. Compare your pages against the top results: are they more complete, original and clearly written by someone with experience? Improve the pages that lost most: add first-hand detail, current data, clear authorship and better structure. Wait until the rollout has finished before judging results, then compare against a similar period before it. Avoid knee-jerk changes; focus on durable quality, not tricks. Related updates Previous: April 2023 Reviews Update Next: September 2023 Helpful Content Update Full Google algorithm updates timeline (2021 to 2026) Get an SEO audit after a ranking change Frequently asked questions When did the August 2023 Core Update roll out? According to Google’s Search Status Dashboard it rolled out from 22 August 2023 to about 7 September 2023. Was the August 2023 Core Update a penalty? No. It was a ranking system update, not a manual penalty, so there is no reconsideration request to file. How do I check if my site was affected? Compare clicks and impressions in Google Search Console before, during and after the rollout, and look at which pages and queries changed. Lost rankings after an update? We review what changed, find the cause and build a recovery plan. Book an SEO audit

Quick facts The April 2023 Reviews Update began on 12 April 2023 and finished around 25 April 2023. It was a reviews update, which rewards review content that shows real expertise and first-hand use. What was the April 2023 Reviews Update? Widened reviews assessment beyond products to services, places and media. The update favours detailed, evidence-based reviews over thin summaries or lists copied from manufacturers. Dates are taken from Google’s Search Status Dashboard and may be off by a day because end dates are calculated from the stated rollout length. Who was affected? Visibility changes can show up in rankings, clicks and impressions. Check the rollout window in Google Search Console and compare it with the previous period. Seasonality and tracking changes can also cause movement, so look at several weeks of data. What to do after the April 2023 Reviews Update Add original photos, test results and first-hand experience. Explain pros, cons and who each product or service suits. Compare alternatives and link to credible sources. Show author expertise and how you tested. Keep reviews up to date as products change. Related updates Previous: March 2023 Core Update Next: August 2023 Core Update Full Google algorithm updates timeline (2021 to 2026) Get an SEO audit after a ranking change Frequently asked questions When did the April 2023 Reviews Update roll out? According to Google’s Search Status Dashboard it rolled out from 12 April 2023 to about 25 April 2023. Was the April 2023 Reviews Update a penalty? No. It was a ranking system update, not a manual penalty, so there is no reconsideration request to file. How do I check if my site was affected? Compare clicks and impressions in Google Search Console before, during and after the rollout, and look at which pages and queries changed. Lost rankings after an update? We review what changed, find the cause and build a recovery plan. Book an SEO audit

Quick facts The March 2023 Core Update began on 15 March 2023 and finished around 28 March 2023. It was a core update, a broad improvement to Google’s overall ranking systems. What was the March 2023 Core Update? A broad re-assessment of content quality. Core updates are not penalties. They re-assess how well pages meet searchers’ needs, so some sites rise and others fall. Dates are taken from Google’s Search Status Dashboard and may be off by a day because end dates are calculated from the stated rollout length. Who was affected? Visibility changes can show up in rankings, clicks and impressions. Check the rollout window in Google Search Console and compare it with the previous period. Seasonality and tracking changes can also cause movement, so look at several weeks of data. What to do after the March 2023 Core Update Check Search Console to confirm whether your drop or gain lines up with the rollout dates. Compare your pages against the top results: are they more complete, original and clearly written by someone with experience? Improve the pages that lost most: add first-hand detail, current data, clear authorship and better structure. Wait until the rollout has finished before judging results, then compare against a similar period before it. Avoid knee-jerk changes; focus on durable quality, not tricks. Related updates Previous: February 2023 Product Reviews Update Next: April 2023 Reviews Update Full Google algorithm updates timeline (2021 to 2026) Get an SEO audit after a ranking change Frequently asked questions When did the March 2023 Core Update roll out? According to Google’s Search Status Dashboard it rolled out from 15 March 2023 to about 28 March 2023. Was the March 2023 Core Update a penalty? No. It was a ranking system update, not a manual penalty, so there is no reconsideration request to file. How do I check if my site was affected? Compare clicks and impressions in Google Search Console before, during and after the rollout, and look at which pages and queries changed. Lost rankings after an update? We review what changed, find the cause and build a recovery plan. Book an SEO audit

Quick facts The February 2023 Product Reviews Update began on 21 February 2023 and finished around 7 March 2023. It was a reviews update, which rewards review content that shows real expertise and first-hand use. What was the February 2023 Product Reviews Update? Extended product review signals to more languages. The update favours detailed, evidence-based reviews over thin summaries or lists copied from manufacturers. Dates are taken from Google’s Search Status Dashboard and may be off by a day because end dates are calculated from the stated rollout length. Who was affected? Visibility changes can show up in rankings, clicks and impressions. Check the rollout window in Google Search Console and compare it with the previous period. Seasonality and tracking changes can also cause movement, so look at several weeks of data. What to do after the February 2023 Product Reviews Update Add original photos, test results and first-hand experience. Explain pros, cons and who each product or service suits. Compare alternatives and link to credible sources. Show author expertise and how you tested. Keep reviews up to date as products change. Related updates Previous: December 2022 Link Spam Update Next: March 2023 Core Update Full Google algorithm updates timeline (2021 to 2026) Get an SEO audit after a ranking change Frequently asked questions When did the February 2023 Product Reviews Update roll out? According to Google’s Search Status Dashboard it rolled out from 21 February 2023 to about 7 March 2023. Was the February 2023 Product Reviews Update a penalty? No. It was a ranking system update, not a manual penalty, so there is no reconsideration request to file. How do I check if my site was affected? Compare clicks and impressions in Google Search Console before, during and after the rollout, and look at which pages and queries changed. Lost rankings after an update? We review what changed, find the cause and build a recovery plan. Book an SEO audit

Quick facts The December 2022 Link Spam Update began on 14 December 2022 and finished around 12 January 2023. It was a link spam update using Google’s SpamBrain system to neutralise unnatural links. What was the December 2022 Link Spam Update? Used Google’s SpamBrain system to neutralise unnatural links, including paid and exchanged links. Links that were paid for or exchanged at scale may simply stop passing value rather than trigger a penalty. Dates are taken from Google’s Search Status Dashboard and may be off by a day because end dates are calculated from the stated rollout length. Who was affected? Visibility changes can show up in rankings, clicks and impressions. Check the rollout window in Google Search Console and compare it with the previous period. Seasonality and tracking changes can also cause movement, so look at several weeks of data. What to do after the December 2022 Link Spam Update Audit your backlink profile for paid, exchanged and low-quality links. Add rel=”sponsored” or rel=”nofollow” to paid and affiliate links. Focus on earning links through useful content and real mentions. Avoid buying links or joining link exchanges. Related updates Previous: December 2022 Helpful Content Update Next: February 2023 Product Reviews Update Full Google algorithm updates timeline (2021 to 2026) Get an SEO audit after a ranking change Frequently asked questions When did the December 2022 Link Spam Update roll out? According to Google’s Search Status Dashboard it rolled out from 14 December 2022 to about 12 January 2023. Was the December 2022 Link Spam Update a penalty? Spam updates can reduce the visibility of pages that breach Google’s spam policies, but they are automated and not the same as a manual action. How do I check if my site was affected? Compare clicks and impressions in Google Search Console before, during and after the rollout, and look at which pages and queries changed. Lost rankings after an update? We review what changed, find the cause and build a recovery plan. Book an SEO audit

Quick facts The December 2022 Helpful Content Update began on 5 December 2022 and finished around 12 January 2023. It was a helpful content update, a sitewide signal aimed at content created mainly to attract search clicks rather than help people. What was the December 2022 Helpful Content Update? Extended the helpful content system to all languages and refined its classifier. Content written for people with real expertise performs better than content built around keywords alone. Dates are taken from Google’s Search Status Dashboard and may be off by a day because end dates are calculated from the stated rollout length. Who was affected? Visibility changes can show up in rankings, clicks and impressions. Check the rollout window in Google Search Console and compare it with the previous period. Seasonality and tracking changes can also cause movement, so look at several weeks of data. What to do after the December 2022 Helpful Content Update Audit your content for pages that exist mainly to rank. Remove, merge or rewrite thin and repetitive pages. Add first-hand experience, original insight and clear sourcing. Make sure each page fully answers the query it targets. Be patient; sitewide signals can take time to reassess. Related updates Previous: October 2022 Spam Update Next: December 2022 Link Spam Update Full Google algorithm updates timeline (2021 to 2026) Get an SEO audit after a ranking change Frequently asked questions When did the December 2022 Helpful Content Update roll out? According to Google’s Search Status Dashboard it rolled out from 5 December 2022 to about 12 January 2023. Was the December 2022 Helpful Content Update a penalty? No. It was a ranking system update, not a manual penalty, so there is no reconsideration request to file. How do I check if my site was affected? Compare clicks and impressions in Google Search Console before, during and after the rollout, and look at which pages and queries changed. Lost rankings after an update? We review what changed, find the cause and build a recovery plan. Book an SEO audit