Google Algorithm Updates: How They Can Impact Your Business

Google is continually rolling out updates whether it be for spam, for content, or a significant core update.  They helpfully list them all here. There was a Google Core Update that was rolled out in August 2023, following on from the previous one in March and two product review updates that were released in February and April this year.

Right now (Oct 2023), Google has released another core update which is currently running and we will see the effect soon enough.

Google is constantly making updates to its algorithm. In fact, some estimate the number of updates to be as many as 13 times a day.

But what do Google algorithm updates have to do with your business?

They may mean nothing at all – or they could mean quite a lot if you rely on organic search traffic.

Let’s take a closer look at Google algorithm updates, how they can impact your business, and how an SEO expert can help.

The Latest Google Core Update

According to Search Engine Journal, the August Core update took just over 16 days to roll out and was completed on September 7^th.

Core updates are larger than the minor updates that take place every day. These refine the algorithm in a larger way to make search results more reliable.

Overall, this was a big update that caused significant volatility in search rankings. This article on Search Engine Land goes into more detail about the update, so check it out to get a better idea of what went on.

Winners & Losers

One of the most interesting things in the Search Engine Land article is the information on the winners and losers following the update. This shows how some websites saw a huge boost in their search engine visibility while others saw big drops.

For example, intel.co.uk saw a 69.82% drop in the visibility index.

And this is the big issue for website owners. Google algorithm updates can be scary because, while they can be great if they boost your website’s visibility, if your organic traffic suddenly falls, this can have a huge impact on your business.

They are also scary for SEO consultants as we review our clients’ keywords daily and can see movements up and down which can be uncomfortable.

Is Your Site Affected?

If your site receives a hit from an algorithm update, it can be hard to know what to do or why it has even been impacted.

In fact, if you find that your site has been negatively impacted by a core update, it doesn’t always mean there is something wrong with your website. You may even see a recovery over the coming weeks or after the next core update.

However, sometimes a sudden fall in rankings does suggest that all is not well, and you may need to make some changes.

What to Do Following an Update

If your site is impacted, don’t panic. Sometimes, as already mentioned, there is nothing you can do about it. Rankings change all the time, and if you’re doing everything right, you may see your rankings increase again over time.

But if you see a huge hit following an algorithm update, there may be something wrong.

In this case, it’s a good idea to carry out detailed research on the recent update and find out what involves, the goal of the update, and what has changed in the way Google ranks websites.

Next, check your website data to find out which content has been most affected by the change. Which pages have fallen down the rankings most significantly? You can use search console for this and we find this tool really helpful in this regard.

When you have a better idea about what’s going on, come up with a plan to resolve the issue focusing on the main areas that need attention. Are there practices you have been following that go against Google’s recommendations? If so, you may need to make some more significant changes. For instance, if you have been relying on bad backlinks, your site may be affected by a spam algorithmic update.

How an Experienced SEO Will Help

Some Google updates happen out of nowhere and Google provides no information on them. Others are confirmed updates, and in these cases, Google may provide advice for that specific update that goes beyond its usual advice for webmasters.

If your traffic is affected following an update, you may need to keep a closer eye on your site data and your competitors, as well as follow the conversation in the SEO community to find out what other website owners are saying.

While these are all things we do at Alba SEO Services, remember that with a good SEO company working with you, you don’t have to worry about the impact of algorithm updates as much.

A good SEO company will work with you over the long term to ensure you get your website into shape so it’s more resistant to algorithm updates.

From carrying out an SEO audit to cover the technical aspects of your site, to making on-page and off-page changes, then regularly tracking your site’s performance, building authoritative links, and more, an SEO company will keep your website in good health.

Many website owners come to us following an update that has hurt their rankings. In these cases, we look into what’s going on, examine the data, and find out when they are doing something wrong.

But this is less likely to happen if you are already getting assistance from an SEO expert as they can ensure that you are not using bad practices that may get you penalised.

If you’re doing everything right, you have your website SEO optimised, and you publish original content regularly, you’re in a much better position when Google releases its next core update.

Put Your Trust in Us

At Alba SEO, it’s our job to keep up to date with all the developments in the search engine landscape.

We keep up with the latest industry news, use our own data to get a deeper understanding of what’s going on, and constantly keep your website in good health.

If you don’t want to wake up one morning and find that your website has plummeted in the search engine rankings, it’s always best to be prepared. Contact us today and find out how we can help.