Google Broad Core Algorithm Update: Everything You Need to Know

It’s the age of digital transformation. Businesses have to consistently update their processes to adapt to constant change. But adapt how?

As a starting point, you have to stay relevant and build a presence where your audience is—online. SEO marketing is one of the most effective digital marketing strategies you can use to improve your online visibility and reach more leads.

But SEO is complex, and it’s always evolving. Just when you think you have your SEO strategy figured out, Google makes an update that changes everything. Google Algorithm, by definition, is the set of rules that define how Google runs its search engine. These rules are constantly updated to ensure that the best and most relevant results are displayed for every query.

The Broad Core Algorithm Update is one of these updates. Keep reading to understand everything you need to know about the Broad Google Core Algorithm Update and how it affects your website ranking on Google.

In this Guide:

• The Launch of New Google Algorithm Updates
• What is a Google Broad Core Update?
• What Happened in Previous Broad Core Updates?
• What We Know About the Recent Broad Core Update
• How Does It Affect Your SEO?
• How to Rise From a Broad Core Algorithm Update

The Launch of New Google Algorithm Updates

Google’s December 2024 Core Update is not the plot twist of the year, but it did throw a few curveballs. Just eight days after the November core update, Google dropped another one in December. This marked the fourth core update in just 2024 alone, so it’s clear Google’s been on a roll.

The December update launched on the 12th and wrapped up by the 18th (the same month). In fact, Google got ahead of the chatter on X (formerly known as Twitter) and dropped this little nugget of wisdom:

If you’re wondering why there’s a core update this month after one last month, we have different core systems we’re always improving.

In short, Google’s on a mission to make their systems smarter – and, apparently, faster. But while this update was officially the fastest documented core update, it was also a little more… volatile. Volatility trackers were all over the place, and a lot of websites saw their traffic plummet.

The core update started rolling, and this might be the new normal. At a Google event in December, a search relations team member even hinted that more frequent core updates are coming.

Honestly, it is hard to assess or even prepare for these kinds of algorithm changes, particularly when Google is not always eager to go into detail about the scope of its updates and how they will affect your site performance. But what we know is that it can impact your rankings, traffic, and, ultimately, revenue. As an SEO expert in the Philippines, we want to make sure site owners are on the right side of the update.

What is a Google Broad Core Update?

A broad core algorithm update is the substantial changes Google does to its overall search ranking algorithm and systems. In its announcement, Google said that these core updates are designed to increase the overall relevancy of search results and provide more accurate information to users.

As you know, Google’s core algorithm is composed of various algorithms—different sets of rules that the search engine uses to rank websites in the search engine results pages (SERPs). It means when Google announces a core algorithm, it is an overall improvement of the algorithm instead of a targeted effort. It impacts search-engine ranking factors without zeroing in on a specific component, hence the word broad.

Previous updates like Panda and Penguin were targeted. They particularly look at the quality of backlinks and content. Other updates are even more specific. In 2021, Google Search modified how product reviews and spam influence rankings.

But a broad core update? It changes how Google search algorithm ranks a webpage in a far more varied way. Such an update usually takes up to 14 days to complete. Therefore, the impact is spread out rather than happening all at once. This further adds to the complexity of aggregating data and isolating ranking fluctuations to any one particular change in the algorithm. It also doesn’t help that Google reveals as little as possible about its ranking formula.

What Happened in Previous Broad Core Updates?

The first broad core algorithm update Google officially recognized was on March 9, 2018. But it was not technically new then. The search engine said that they had done these kinds of updates up to that point and the key purpose is to provide more helpful and reliable results and benefits pages that were previously under-rewarded. In the succeeding years, Google released several more updates, and the same objective remains.

Before the May 2022 broad core update, the latest one was in November 2021. But, the June/July 2021 update was the one that made a much more impact. It was one of the largest core updates at the time that Google had to tranch its deployment into two. Digital marketers and website owners observed high volatility in site performances across various industries.

March 2024 Core Update

It started on March 5 and finished on April 19, taking about 45 days to roll out. This update was significant because it involved changes to multiple core systems and ended the standalone helpful content update.

Google didn’t confirm that the rollout was finished until April 26, 52 days after it began.

This is more like a broad spam update. A Google spokesperson explained that, as online content and spam tactics keep changing, Google will continue to work on reducing low-quality, unoriginal content in search results. They also emphasized that they value feedback from users and site owners.

The March update focused on improving search results by reducing link spam and low-quality blog post content. Google initially expected a 40% reduction in low-quality content, but it ended up being closer to 45%. According to Google, this has led to bigger quality improvements than expected, with 45% less low-quality, unoriginal content in search results.

August 2024 Core Update

This update is based on creators and user feedback that Google has received over the past few months. As usual, the goal is to connect people with a wide variety of high-quality websites, including smaller or independent sites that produce useful, original content when it’s relevant to what people are searching for.

Additionally, this is an area Google keeps working on in the following updates. Another key aspect of this update is to better reflect improvements that websites have made to ensure that the best content on the web continues to be shown.

November 2024 Core Update

A Google spokesperson confirmed that it started on November 11 and wrapped up around 24 days later on December 5. Like most core updates, this one focused on updating the site reputation abuse policy and refining Google’s ranking systems to present helpful results.

When Google explained the purpose of the update, they said it was part of their ongoing efforts to improve the quality of search results. The goal was to highlight content that people actually find valuable and reduce the amount of scaled content abuse that seems designed just to rank well without offering much real value.

As for what I personally noticed, the update started to have an impact a few days after the announcement, around November 13 and 14. Then, it seemed to hit a wider range of sites over the weekend of November 16 and 17.

Toward the end of the rollout, many tracking tools showed relatively low volatility, but there was a noticeable spike around November 25 and 26. Even in early December, there was still significant movement. We had initially thought the update would be finished before Black Friday, but it didn’t fully wrap up until the week after.

What We Know About the Recent Broad Core Update

Is there anything new about the latest broad core algorithm update? In a way nothing—at least nothing we can confirm. But, what Google consistently tells us is that these kinds of updates are about improving how it understands both search queries and web pages to provide more relevant search results using anonymized interaction data.

Like any other broad core algorithm update, the December 2024 update is not a penalty. Although you may experience drops in your rankings, that doesn’t necessarily mean there is something wrong with your pages and that you should be looking for a fix.

Think of it like your car maintenance. Bringing your car in for a tuneup maintains overall performance, but it isn’t a particular fix to a specific problem. This is what the broad core algorithm update does.

So, with the purpose of a core update settled, how are you supposed to respond to it? For starters, you must continue all the essential best practices in SEO—optimize content for SEO (no keyword stuffing), improve page speeds, ensure site mobile-friendliness, and build healthy backlinks (no unnatural links).

The Google December 2024 Spam Update ran from December 19 to December 26. It was the third spam update of the year and came just one day after the December 2024 Core Update. This update was broad but didn’t specifically target link spam or automated site reputation abuse, which still requires manual actions.

The exact targets of the update are unclear, but combined with the Core Update, many sites experienced more volatility and ranking changes. Keep in mind that holiday traffic fluctuations can affect visibility, so it’s better to focus on rankings rather than traffic to understand the impact.

Sites affected by the link spam update should review Google’s spam policies and make necessary adjustments. Any changes may take months to show in rankings, and for sites hit by link spam issues, lost ranking benefits may not be recoverable.

How Does It Affect Your SEO?

It is key to remember that Google hardly ever announces the changes they make or how these will affect your approach to SEO. But, the world’s SEO experts are sharing their insights to give you a better understanding of what the update could have possibly been. 

1. Google will prioritize video content 

Internet users everywhere enjoy video content, especially about current events. In 2020, more than 244.4 million users in the US watched digital videos, with an average user spending one hour and 43 minutes per day consuming video content. By 2022, it is estimated that online videos will drive more than 82% of all consumer traffic. 

As such, Google is increasingly prioritizing websites with video content—ranking it higher than text. For example, when you search for how to do something, Google is more likely to return a video answer in the first position of the search engine results pages (SERPs) where a previously Google search central blog content would have been. 

Video content can increase a site’s visibility by as much as 25%. Plus, video results have a 41% higher click-through rate than text-only results. It means not only are videos helping you rank in SERPs, but also increases the likelihood of users clicking through.

2. Specialist content will be prioritized over general content

There is hardly anything Google wants more than high-quality content written by domain experts. It means if you want to build trust and authority in your niche and, ultimately, rank on SERPs, you have to deliver what the search engine wants.

Instead of trying to rank for a lot of things, focus on a specific subject matter and demonstrate your expertise there. Offer a valuable perspective that will compel readers to find you trustworthy—and this is where focusing on E-A-T matters.

E-A-T is an acronym that stands for Expertise, Authority, Trust, describing the best practices for optimizing content for search. It can serve as your guide question when creating content.

• Does it offer a valuable perspective that demonstrates your expertise in the field?
• Does it come from a position of authority?
• Is it compelling enough for readers to find you trustworthy?

While there is no concrete Google ranking factor that directly represents E-A-T, there are multiple ranking factors that do encompass its principles. And with Google always encouraging focusing on E-A-T in every core algorithm update, we can safely assume that ranking fluctuations from the December 2024 broad core update have to do with E-A-T or a site’s lack thereof. An example is an observation where sites known for trying to rank for everything lost an average of 4% of their Google rankings.

So, how can you guard your site against future core algorithm updates? Optimize for E-A-T—make sure your content is comprehensive and written by reputable authors.

3. Google can understand search intent better

As the name suggests, search intent is the purpose behind a search. Is the user browsing for more information? Are they looking for a specific product or brand? Do they want to make a purchase? With every algorithm update, Google intends to become better at interpreting search intent and showing users results that align with it.

It’s not unusual after a broad core update for sites to see fluctuations in their rankings. Google rolls out the update gradually, making search results more relevant to the intent. It means pages that drop in rankings are not being penalized. Instead, they are being reassessed together with other content that has been published after the last update. It explains Google’s statement that there is nothing to fix because core algorithm updates are less about targeting low-quality content and more about improving the relevance of the search results—a negative ranking doesn’t necessarily signal anything wrong with your pages.

As a digital marketer, how well you understand search intent influences your ability to rank in SERPs. It allows you to target search terms that your target audiences use when searching for products and services relevant to you, create content that answers their questions, and structure your pages in a way that’s friendly to both users and search engines.

How to Rise From a Broad Core Algorithm Update

Broad core algorithm updates can significantly impact websites across various industries. While some sites experience growth, others may face traffic and ranking losses. If your site has been hit by the latest update, it’s important to remember that there isn’t a quick fix. Google’s guidance remains consistent: focus on creating high-quality, relevant content.

To start, refer to Google’s set of 20 self-assessment questions. These questions are designed to help you evaluate the quality of your content and align it with what Google considers a high-quality website. It’s a roadmap for improvement that can guide your efforts to recover and maintain rankings in the long run.

Recovering from an algorithm update isn’t just about creating content—it’s about taking a holistic approach to your website. That’s where I can help. I provide managed SEO service-level support tailored to your needs. Think of it as having an in-house SEO expert without the high overhead costs.

Here’s what I offer:

• Technical SEO: Ensuring your site is optimized for search engines from the ground up.
• On-Page SEO: Aligning your content, metadata, and structure with Google’s best practices.
• Content Strategy and Writing: Crafting high-quality, targeted content that resonates with your audience and ranks well.

With me, everything is taken care of—from strategy to execution—so you can focus on running your business while I handle your SEO needs.

Let’s work together to boost your rankings and recover from the latest update. Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your SEO goals and discover how I can help your business thrive.

Takeaway 

In its quest to provide the highest-quality and most relevant content out there, Google constantly refines its algorithms to separate great from not-so-great. 

Google has already mentioned that pages affected by a broad core algorithm update may not recover until the next core update. However, as SEO experts in the Philippines say, it is possible to recover your rankings and regain traffic by updating, rewriting, and improving your existing content. In other words, republish outdated content to make it more useful and comprehensive and ensure that it meets search intent. 

The December 2024 broad core algorithm update, like any other Google update, only further emphasizes the need to keep your content fresh and relevant. With every change in the search algorithms, the search engine looks at sites on a completely new level. You need a strong content profile—one that is future update-proof and would showcase your business as an authority in your niche. 

More than ever, it’s essential that you invest in SEO. Hiring an SEO specialist is key to ensuring that your site is optimized and up-to-date. The best SEO professional should have broad experience, expertise, and proven SEO strategies to help you recover and, ultimately, rise from any algorithm update. 

With the right professional, you will enjoy better visibility, a wider reach, and increased sales, among other benefits that SEO has to offer. 

Hopefully, your business did well with this update. 

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