It seems that in 2023, the SEO community has had a new Google Algorithm update to discuss every month so far this year.
That wouldn’t be far off, with official updates announced at the end of December 22, February 23 and March 23. Right on cue, Google has released another update on the 20th and 21st of April, which may have started on the 18th of April according to SEroundtable. What was this update and what do updates actually mean for your website?
About the April 2023 update
This particular update was yet another aimed at sites that rank for ‘review’ type content. These sites are generally third-party sites that review products and provide product recommendations meaning this update may not affect your business.
The update coincided with Google’s brand new reviews documentation that seemingly rewards content that demonstrates E.E.A.T. We previously covered the subject of EEAT here.
As with all updates, some sites report gains and others report losses. One user reported: “Seems that there are loads of changes going through Google at the moment. Is anyone seeing better results? I’m actually noticing less spam.”
Why does Google release Algorithm Updates?
The purpose of a Google algorithm update is the same every time: to improve the quality of search results for any given search phrase. Every time a user enters a query into Google, they expect to see the most relevant and high-quality results possible. So, Google is constantly refining its algorithm to ensure that those results are exactly what the user is looking for.
So how does Google determine whether your content deserves to rank higher (or lower)? In summary, Google uses a variety of signals to determine a website’s quality and relevance, including things like:
Google updates may simply introduce new factors, or place greater emphasis on others.
What to do when you suspect your site has been hit by an update
If you suspect that your site has been negatively impacted by a Google algorithm update, there are a few steps you can take to recover:
How to avoid being hit by Google Algorithm updates
Simply continue to improve your site – even if you’ve not been hit by an update. When it comes to SEO or anything technology-related, nothing stays the same for long so if you’re not moving forward, you’re likely to be regressing – Don’t rest on your laurels!
Continue to improve your site over time by creating high-quality content, building high-quality backlinks, and optimising your site for user experience. This will help ensure that your site is well-positioned to weather future algorithm updates. Put yourself in the shoes of your customers and continue to consistently provide excellent value and grow your site content. This will keep your site in Google’s good books!
Get in touch to find the perfect package for you