The time has finally come for Google to deploy yet another broad core update, this time dubbed the June 2021 Core Update.
On June 2, 2021, Google will release a major core algorithm upgrade. In July, another core upgrade will be released.
Google had planned to include more in today's update, but was unable to do so due to a lack of time. That is why two core updates were released one month after the other.
It's really unusual for Google to provide two upgrades so soon together. However, the business claims that most sites will be unaffected by either of them.
We'll see if it remains true in the coming weeks, as a core update normally takes that long to fully roll out.
On Twitter, Google's Danny Sullivan says:
"Some of our planned changes for the June 2021 update aren't quite available yet, so we're focusing on the portions that are, and the remainder will be added in the July 2021 release. As is customary with any core change, most sites will not notice any of these updates.”
The advice from Google on recovering from a broad core algorithm upgrade hasn't changed.
That said, if the June upgrade has a negative impact on your site, don't panic.
If you notice good changes, don't get too excited just yet, because the effects of this month's upgrade could be reversed next month.
Sullivan continues:
Of course, any core change can result in content reductions or gains. Because this is a two-part release, it's possible that a tiny portion of the information will alter in June and then reverse in July....
Nothing in a core update is site-specific, as a reminder. Those who want to do well with search in general, including core changes, should follow our advice.”
In an article on Google's blog, Sullivan expands on these statements, outlining the whys and hows of key algorithm updates.
He reminds site owners that thousands of modifications aimed at improving the quality of search results are made each year.
However, not all updates are created equal, and the impact of a core update is likely to be greater than that of other updates.
What’s the difference between a core update and other updates?
Many Google Search improvements are aimed at boosting specific types of results. The recent modification to product review search results is an example.
What distinguishes core updates from the myriad of additional updates is that they include significant improvements to Google Search.
When Google releases a core update, which happens only a few times a year, it makes significant modifications to its ranking algorithms. Rather than focusing on specific types of websites, fundamental improvements focus on search as a whole.
Sullivan tells site owners who are affected by a core change that it isn't because of anything they've done.
It's due to adjustments in Google's content evaluation algorithm to keep up with changing consumer expectations.
"The goal of core upgrades is to improve the overall relevancy of our search results. It's mostly a net exchange when it comes to the traffic we send. Some content may do poorly, while other content thrives. In the long run, this is how we've been able to improve Search and send more traffic to sites all around the web every year.”
A site's performance being harmed by a core algorithm upgrade isn't always an indicator that it's done anything wrong or is providing poor content. It's more of a sign that what was formerly thought relevant may no longer be for today's searches.
Refreshing current material to improve its relevancy can often enhance a site's rankings. The modifications will most likely not be noticeable until the next core update, though there is a chance of recovery.
