Sitewide

Google Core Update November 2023

Completed
November 28, 2023
Started
November 2, 2023

Current status of the ranking update

Status:
Completed
Announced by Google:
November 2, 2023
Update started:
November 2, 2023
Update completed:
November 28, 2023

Types of websites affected:

The November 2023 core update primarily impacted websites that:

  • Experience significant ranking fluctuations due to the periodic adjustments made to Google’s core ranking algorithms.
  • Produce content that may not fully align with Google’s updated core update guidance, especially in terms of quality and relevance.
  • Operate in niches like Health (YMYL), which showed disproportionate increases in volatility.

What to Expect:

Websites affected by these updates may experience:

  • Significant volatility in search rankings, particularly during the overlap with the November 2023 reviews update.
  • A potential need to reassess and improve content quality, focusing on creating helpful, reliable, people-first content as advised by Google.
  • Recovery that may occur gradually, with the biggest changes typically seen after subsequent core updates.

What to Address / How to Approach:

To adapt to these updates, website owners should:

  • Focus on improving the quality, relevance, and user-centric nature of their content in line with Google's core update guidance.
  • Monitor site performance closely during the rollout period and be patient, as ranking fluctuations are expected.
  • Review any ranking shifts in context with the type of content and the likely impact of overlapping updates, particularly the November 2023 reviews update.

Interesting Fact 💡: 

The November 2023 core update uniquely focused on assessing user engagement metrics, such as time spent on a page, in determining rankings. This was one of the first updates where user interaction data played a significant role in ranking decisions.