March 2023 saw the release of a brand-new Google core update, the first since September 2022. Now that it’s officially been rolled out, we wanted to delve deeper into the announcement to explain exactly what changed and what it means for your online content. So, join us as we dive into the impact of the Google March core algorithm update 2023.
What Was the Google March Update 2023?
Google confirmed their update had been officially rolled out at the end of March. Typically, with these updates comes changes with regard to how Google assesses and ranks websites and their content which means it’s crucially important for website owners to adapt their SEO strategies.
The latest core update targeted all types of content online, across the world, and in every language with the aim of promoting and rewarding quality and high-value web pages and removing low-quality AI-generated content. This means that pages previously low in ranking can now do better in search engine results. But, it also means that other web pages had sudden ranking drops.
In terms of SEO, some brands have reported huge changes to the ranking of their website including a reduction in traffic and a drop off in their position for business-essential keywords. However, others have identified an increase in traffic and search ranking. One thing’s for sure, the Google March update has certainly had a big impact on the world of SEO.
The Google Update’s Impact on Websites
Google’s core updates are usually significant and this one is no different. In fact, conversation amongst SEO experts has determined that March’s algorithm update was pretty impactful compared to other updates. This is because of the impact the Google Update had on algorithms.
Site performance comes down to several factors – one of which is the Google algorithm and how Google assesses and ranks site content. So, when Google core algorithm updates take place, it can impact how a business’ site performs, its visibility, as well as its traffic, conversions and sales.
Being aware of when Google intends to or indeed makes these updates will help you to analyse your website metrics more efficiently. For example, if you do notice a drop in performance or ranking, you can determine whether it is because of a Google update or something entirely different.
While there aren’t specific actions you can take to recover your web page ranking and performance, there are a number of tactics you can use to improve your overall website. This includes closely monitoring your website’s performance metrics to see which areas have room for improvement, performing a full website and content audit and assessing this against the competition, and prioritising valuable content and technical SEO.
Evaluating Content Quality and Relevance Post-Update
Google continuously crawls the internet for valuable and quality content, which then ranks high for associated keywords and phrases. The latest update meant that Google effectively reassessed everything on the internet, boosting previously under-ranked content.
In the past, EAT (expertise, authority and trustworthiness) have played a huge role in how Google ranks content for search engine results in pages – and the March update hasn’t changed this. But they are expecting more now. In fact, Google now wants EEAT content with the added E being all about the experience.
However, the tech giant did confirm that website owners need to offer the best content they can. Easier said than done, especially if you think your content is already of a high standard. For this reason, Google has released a list of questions that content creators can ask themselves to ensure they’re creating optimum content. This includes:
- Does the content provide original information, reporting, research, or analysis?
- Does the content provide a substantial, complete, or comprehensive description of the topic?
- Does the content provide insightful analysis or interesting information that is beyond the obvious?
- Does the main heading or page title provide a descriptive, helpful summary of the content?
- Is this the sort of page you’d want to bookmark, share with a friend, or recommend?
Before uploading any further content, it pays to ask yourself these questions and you may also want to go through any existing content and web pages, again ensuring you’ve answered Google’s self-assessment questions.
Technical SEO Considerations
Google doesn’t just look for quality content, however. The technical performance of your site will also determine how high it ranks on search engine results. This includes the structure of your site, how fast it loads, whether it’s optimised for mobiles and how secure your site is.
Google has confirmed that “Providing a good user experience should be your site’s top goal, and a good user experience is a ranking factor.” While we’ll get onto this in further detail later, your technical SEO impacts the overall experience that someone has with your site. That’s why there’s never been a better time to carry out general tasks such as identifying and fixing broken links, checking the load speed, ensuring your site is mobile-friendly, and even adding structured data.
User Experience and Engagement
As mentioned above, Google prioritises a good user experience and this won’t change even after the 2023 March core algorithm update. There are a few ways you can achieve this too starting with mobile optimisation and fast load times. Google also recommends that your website use HTTPS instead of HTTP in the browser as the latter can be marked as not secure.
The easier your website is to use, and navigate, will also have a positive impact on your user satisfaction and search rankings which is why intuitive navigation including dropdown menus and suggested content is favourably looked upon by Google. On the topic of content, as mentioned, engaging and informative content is a must. Not just because it is prioritised by Google but also because it will enhance the user experience which is another bonus point for a high-ranking site.
Another way to help your website to maintain online visibility and attract local clientele, despite the Google core update, is to focus on local SEO. This includes the likes of using local keywords, acquiring backlinks from local publications and brands, and creating selective local content. Don’t worry if you don’t know where to start however as the team at Maxweb can take care of it for you.
Experts in SEO, we can help you rank highly on search engines by creating engaging content marketing, optimising your existing content, creating social media outreach campaigns, helping you with link building and improving the user experience on your website and supporting your website load speed optimisation.
Want to get started? Reach out to us for more information about our SEO services. You can also call 0151 652 4777 or fill out our contact form.
Posted on Friday, June 9th, 2023 in Latest News.
