Google announced a core update to its search ranking algorithm on March 15, 2023 and was completed on March 28, 2023. Google also updated it on their search ranking updates list page. This is after six months since the last core update in September 2022.
Several SERP tracking tools captured fluctuations and volatility in search results before and after the update finished rolling out. Additionally, some SEO professionals noticed the turbulence in the search results.
Google’s Official Announcement
Google announced this new update on Twitter.
Today we released the March 2023 core update. We'll update our ranking release history page when the rollout is complete: https://t.co/sQ5COfdNcb
— Google Search Central (@googlesearchc) March 15, 2023
What Are People Saying?
Barry Schwartz, one of the prominent SEO experts, tweeted the details on the core update.
ICYMI: Google March 2023 broad core update finished rolling out https://t.co/fbNpVs9ccH pic.twitter.com/6mWfqii0Yj
— Barry Schwartz (@rustybrick) March 29, 2023
He also shared the volatility charts of few websites.
Updated the Google March 2023 core update being done post with some updated volatility charts from today from @mozcast @cognitiveSEO @RankRanger @awebranking https://t.co/fbNpVs8En9 pic.twitter.com/yckpexFeVr
— Barry Schwartz (@rustybrick) March 29, 2023
Glenn Gabe also shared his insights regarding the update.
Again, many sites continued on the same trajectory either continuing surging or dropping, but some did reverse course. For this site, it shows how core head terms can make a big difference. It dropped heavily for important keywords initially, but a # came roaring back recently: pic.twitter.com/rWIk36n2Wy
— Glenn Gabe (@glenngabe) March 29, 2023
What’s Next – Dealing With This Update
Google algorithm updates are expected, with changes often introduced to enhance how it ranks content on SERPs.
Although Google hasn’t fully announced the specifics of the algorithm update, we can draw some perspectives on what to keep an eye on based on previous updates.
Most of Google’s core updates intend to enhance a user’s search experience. Hence, you need to ensure that you provide users with value and that they have a seamless experience when using your website.
If your site is affected by the Google’s core updates, here’s what you can do:
Firstly, ensure that your content is compelling and upto date. You can use Rank Math Analytics to see which pages have declining rankings. You can then update your content to ensure it aligns with Google’s helpful content requirements.
Secondly, ensure that your website’s technical SEO aspects are upto par, including your site’s speed, mobile friendliness, crawlability, etc.
Watch the video below to learn how to deal with any Google ranking algorithm core update.
