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.
Helpful links for this Google update
- https://searchengineland.com/google-november-2023-core-update-rollout-is-now-complete-434529
- https://www.semrush.com/blog/the-impact-of-the-november-core-update/
- https://www.seroundtable.com/google-november-2023-core-update-done-36462.html
- https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-rolls-out-november-2023-core-update/500009/