Google today announced the roll out of the September 2019 broad core algorithm update.
Google release broad core algorithm updates several times a year which can have a positive or negative impact on your rankings. It’s a time when website owners and marketers keep a sharp eye on any changes in SERPs.
June 2019 Core Algorithm Update
The last update took place in June 2019 which according to to Search Engine Land saw significant wins and losses for many major UK publishers. While the likes of The Sun and The Mirror saw huge gains, the Daily Mail saw a significant drop in visibility.
Recent updates released by Google are still related to the huge Medic update that took place in August 2018 which put E-A-T and YMYL centre stage.
What is the Purpose of Google Algorithm Updates?
Google algorithm updates are essential for keeping the search engine running to the best it can. Algorithm updates are great for improving the way Google understands search queries and their relevance to web pages. Thousands of changes are made a year to provide users with the best results possible.
What Does Google Say About The Updates?
Recent advice from Google hasn’t changed in regards to core updates. Current advice is related to content, quality rater guidelines and E-A-T. According to Google Webmasters, you should ask yourself these questions:
Content and quality questions
- Does the content provide original information, reporting, research or analysis?
- Does the content provide a substantial, complete or comprehensive description of the topic?
- Does the content provide insightful analysis or interesting information that is beyond obvious?
- If the content draws on other sources, does it avoid simply copying or rewriting those sources and instead provide substantial additional value and originality?
- Does the headline and/or page title provide a descriptive, helpful summary of the content?
- Does the headline and/or page title avoid being exaggerating or shocking in nature?
- Is this the sort of page you’d want to bookmark, share with a friend, or recommend?
- Would you expect to see this content in or referenced by a printed magazine, encyclopedia or book?
Expertise questions
- Does the content present information in a way that makes you want to trust it, such as clear sourcing, evidence of the expertise involved, background about the author or the site that publishes it, such as through links to an author page or a site’s About page?
- If you researched the site producing the content, would you come away with an impression that it is well-trusted or widely-recognized as an authority on its topic?
- Is this content written by an expert or enthusiast who demonstrably knows the topic well?
- Is the content free from easily-verified factual errors?
- Would you feel comfortable trusting this content for issues relating to your money or your life?
Presentation and production questions
- Is the content free from spelling or stylistic issues?
- Was the content produced well, or does it appear sloppy or hastily produced?
- Is the content mass-produced by or outsourced to a large number of creators, or spread across a large network of sites, so that individual pages or sites don’t get as much attention or care?
- Does the content have an excessive amount of ads that distract from or interfere with the main content?
- Does content display well for mobile devices when viewed on them?
Comparative questions
- Does the content provide substantial value when compared to other pages in search results?
- Does the content seem to be serving the genuine interests of visitors to the site or does it seem to exist solely by someone attempting to guess what might rank well in search engines?
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