You've probably already heard that Google has released another core algorithm update. This time, they're calling it the "Speed Update."
The good news is that this change is designed to improve user experience by prioritizing web pages that load quickly. The bad news is that if your website isn't already optimized for speed, you could see a drop in your rankings.
Don't panic! We've put together 5-steps to help you respond to Google's latest algorithm change.
Google's Core Algorithm Update: What Happened?
In a nutshell, it's an update to the algorithm that Google uses to rank websites. This update was designed to improve the quality of search results by rewarding websites that are high-quality and useful to users.
And how does Google determine whether a website is high-quality or not? By using a variety of factors, including audience engagement, website load speeds, and the overall user experience.
As you can imagine, this update has caused confusion and panic among digital marketers. But don't worry, we're here to help. Just follow these five steps, and you'll be back on top in no time.
1) Check Your Traffic
The first step is to check your traffic and see if there have been any noticeable changes.
If your site's traffic suddenly drops off, the upgrade may have affected your site. But don't worry, there are steps you can take to fix the issue. In most cases, it's just a matter of making some adjustments to your website and then waiting for Google to re-evaluate your site.
But if you're not seeing any changes in your traffic, that doesn't mean your site is immune to the update. You still need to take steps to make sure your site is compliant with Google's latest algorithm changes.
2) Check Your Keyword Rankings
Your website has likely been hit if you've noticed a dip in visitors or a decline in your ranking places.
However, this can be fixed. The first step is to look at your website and see where you may have gone wrong. Is there anything you can improve? Are your pages loading quickly enough? Is your content high quality and relevant to your audience? Once you've identified the problems, it's time to start fixing them.
3) Analyze Your Content
What kind of content are you producing? What's the tone? Is it high quality?
If you're not sure, take a look at some of the top-performing content on your site. What makes it successful? Can you replicate those same results with your content? If not, it might be time to rethink your strategy.
Quality content is key in any SEO strategy. It's one of the factors that Google takes into account when ranking websites. So, if you're not putting out quality content, you're going to have a hard time ranking well.
4) Check Your Backlinks
Your backlinks are rather important. Are they all healthy and pointing to quality content? If not, now's the time to start disavowing any links that might be causing you problems.
You'll also want to ensure all your content is up to par. Are you targeting the right keywords? Are you using good formatting and metadata? Is your site mobile-friendly? All of these factors play into your site's ranking, so it's important to make sure you're ticking all the boxes.
5) See What Others in Your Industry Are Saying
The other people in your industry may have more information than you do about what's changed and how to respond.
There are a lot of resources out there, including Google's own Webmaster Central Blog, which can help you figure out what's changed and how to make the necessary adjustments.
Final Words
Google's core algorithms are always changing, and there's no way to predict exactly how your website will be affected. But that doesn't mean you can't take steps to improve your SEO and ensure your website is as Google-friendly as possible!