Google November 2024 Core Update: Key Takeaways

It’s that time again – another core update from Google. Over the next two weeks, Google will roll out the November 2024 Core Update. Core updates aren’t a shock, Google releases them several times a year, though they can and have had lasting impacts on ranking and search volatility.

As marketers, it’s crucial for us to stay on top of these updates, understanding how they will impact our website traffic and, ultimately, brand awareness. Team Bamboo is keeping a close eye on these changes to help you navigate the evolving SEO environment. Here’s what you need to know and how to respond to Google’s latest changes.

Key takeaways

Much like previous ones, Google’s November 2024 Core Update aims to improve search results by better aligning them with search intent and quality content. However, initial insights show a few unique trends:

Emphasis on content quality and E-E-A-T (Expertise, Experience, Authority, and Trust)

Google continues to prioritise pages that demonstrate high levels of E-E-A-T. This signals to us that maintaining authoritative, trustworthy content is key to sustaining ranking pages.

Impact on YMYL (Your Money, Your Life) websites

Finance, health, and legal websites are experiencing even more volatility than other sectors. This is likely caused by Google’s continued focus on ensuring these types of information-rich websites meet the highest standards for accuracy and reliability.

Mobile-first and page-load speed-optimised sites tend to fare better

Websites that offer fast, mobile-optimised experiences are expected to see advantages in the wake of this update, reflecting Google’s ongoing commitment to the mobile user experience.

Topical depth and freshness matter

Sites that frequently update content and provide depth in their niche have seen a boost in recent core updates. Google’s algorithm favours websites that stay relevant by regularly adding value to topical areas, indicating that brands need to ensure their content is both comprehensive and up-to-date.

Less predictable impacts on smaller sites

We know this isn’t what small businesses want to hear. Smaller websites with niche topics may feel both positive and negative effects (again). Unique and authoritative niche content can perform well in some cases, but sites without strong E-E-A-T signals may see more ranking drops.

Increased scrutiny on backlink profiles

Sites with questionable or overly aggressive backlinking strategies are likely to see ranking drops. Google’s focus appears to be on promoting natural, high-quality link profiles, discouraging excessive link-building tactics.

What actions should you take for November 2024’s Core Update?

Given the range of impacts from this update, here’s how digital marketers, website admins, and SEO experts can respond to maintain or improve rankings:

• Audit your content for quality and relevance: If you’ve not been doing this since the September 2023 Helpful Content Update, now is the time to prioritise it. Review your website’s content for clarity, factual accuracy, and topical depth. Focus on adding content that answers users’ queries and meets Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines. This is particularly true if you work in a YMYL sector.
• Prioritise mobile and speed optimisations: If your site is slow or not mobile-friendly, consider prioritising a mobile-first update. Speed improvements and mobile optimisation are more crucial than ever for maintaining visibility in search results.
• Regularly update existing content: Sites that frequently update their content to reflect current trends, data, and user needs are seeing ranking boosts. Take this opportunity to refresh older pages and posts with the latest information, ensuring your site maintains relevance and depth.
• Check your link profile for quality: Conduct an audit of your backlinks, and pay attention to quality over quantity. Remove or disavow any low-quality or spammy links that could affect your site’s credibility with Google.
• Use analytics to monitor site performance: Track rankings, traffic, and bounce rate changes to identify patterns or areas affected by this update. Focus on your SEO efforts on pages that may have seen unexpected ranking shifts to understand how they align with Google’s evolving criteria.
• Stay engaged with user feedback and search trends: Use tools like Google Trends and SEMrush to analyse popular search queries and keywords within your niche. Adjust your content strategy to meet changing user needs, which can help your site better align with user intent.

Achieve SEO success with Team Bamboo

Navigating Google’s frequent algorithm updates can be challenging, especially as search algorithms grow more complex and refined.

Team Bamboo specialises in helping businesses adapt to these changes by auditing content, optimising technical SEO elements, and ensuring your site aligns with Google’s latest quality standards.

Don’t let algorithm updates disrupt your digital presence—contact us today to explore how we can help your site thrive amid change and stay at the top of search results.