Google Algorithm Update: What You Need To Know

How to understand and respond to Google algorithm updates, what they target, how to recover if you're hit, and how to future-proof your SEO.

Jackie Pearce

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Ecommerce

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	June 04th, 2019	

Yesterday, June 3rd, 2019, Google officially announced their second broad core update this year.

Unlike Google’s March 2019 core update (which arrived unannounced), Google gave us a heads up on this one, announcing the update on June 2nd, via the Google SearchLiaison Twitter account:

This tweet did two things:

Named the broad core update the “June 2019 Core Update.” Which is a shift, considering how Google traditionally allows the SEO community to name the algo updates.

Provided Google’s official guidance for how to respond to the update by linking to a tweet thread from October 11, 2018.

The Important Takeaway From Google’s Multi-Tweet Guidance

“Sometimes, we make broad changes to our core algorithm. We inform about those because the actionable advice is that there is nothing in particular to “fix,” and we don’t want content owners to mistakenly try to change things that aren’t issues….” ( Google SearchLiaison ; October 11, 2018)

If this is your first time experiencing a broad core algorithm update you may feel alarmed at Google’s instruction “that there is nothing in particular to ‘fix’”.  But rest easy, because these kinds of algo updates are usually aimed at improving the relevance of search results, rather than reranking content based on quality.

In short, this kind of algorithm update is about improving how the search engine understands searchers’ intent, and similarly improves how Google brings results to searchers in an effort to offer increasingly relevant search results.

What Is The June 2019 Broad Core Update?

Google releases little updates every day with the intent of improving the relevance of search results.

The difference between these daily updates and the kind of broad core update that got rolled out yesterday is that whereas daily updates target specific areas of the algorithm, regions of the world, or specific niches of the internet, broad core updates affect the entire algorithm, world, and internet.

This means that all websites could potentially be affected by the June 2019 Core Update. That said, we’ve noticed that some niches tend to be influenced more than others during these core updates. Specifically, “Your Money Your Life” (YMYL) niches.

YMYL includes any website that offers money or life event services. For example: financial, health, and lifestyle sites.

If you run a YMYL site, be prepared to experience some volatility in your rankings.

How To Respond To The June 2019 Broad Core Algo Update?

As we already mentioned, Google’s official advice is “do nothing.” But we understand that this may seem counterintuitive, and so we’ve assembled a list of things to consider in the coming weeks:

Be patient. The initial volatility caused by Google updates usually takes over a week to settle. Your rankings could return to where they were before, drop, or even go higher. It’s best to wait until the dust settles before making conclusions about what Google changed.

Work with your Fannit SEO consultant. Our consultants and technicians will be monitoring everything that’s going on with your website. The Fannit team has seen hundreds of Google updates take place, so they know how to read into the volatility to figure out what Google is doing differently now.

Remember that this update isn’t about “site quality,” it’s about producing more relevant search results for searchers. Continue to focus on providing relevant content for your target audience and you will continue to grow in rankings.

It can be easy to worry about these broad core algorithm updates, but time and time again, the lesson we learn is that ranking on Google is a similar story to The Tortoise and The Hare — steady and consistent improvement over a long period of time always wins. It’s more productive to focus on consistently improving your site’s SEO , than it is to worry about what what Google updates might do to your rankings.

If you are a Fannit client, don’t worry! We are already monitoring your site to make sure that your rankings stay stable. And with any luck, you may even BENEFIT from this algorithm update.

But if you manage your own website’s SEO, you may benefit from checking out our Google Algorithmic Penalty Recovery Guide .

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do Google algorithm updates specifically affect a home service contractor's local search rankings? A: Google algorithm updates often refine how local businesses are ranked, emphasizing factors like proximity, relevance, and prominence. For contractors, this means that an optimized Google Business Profile, consistent customer reviews, and location-specific keywords are more crucial than ever to appear in local search results and the Map Pack.

Q: What immediate actions should contractors take to adapt their online presence after a significant Google update? A: Contractors should first review their Google Business Profile for accuracy and completeness, ensuring all services, hours, and contact information are current. Next, focus on acquiring new, genuine customer reviews and responding to existing ones, as Google increasingly values social proof and engagement. Finally, assess website content for relevance and quality, ensuring it addresses common customer queries and uses appropriate local SEO terms.

Q: How can AI's growing role in Google search, such as AI calling businesses, benefit or challenge home service contractors? A: Google's AI can benefit contractors by pre-qualifying leads and even booking appointments, streamlining the customer acquisition process. However, it also challenges contractors to maintain accurate and easily accessible information online, as AI relies on this data to interact with potential clients. Ensuring your online profiles are robust and consistent is key.

Q: Is traditional SEO still important for contractors, or should we solely focus on local SEO and Google Business Profile optimization? A: While local SEO and Google Business Profile optimization are paramount for contractors due to their direct impact on local lead generation, traditional SEO still plays a vital supporting role. A well-optimized website with quality content, good site structure, and relevant backlinks can improve overall authority and indirectly boost local rankings, providing a comprehensive online strategy.