New Google algorithmic update: here it comes the May 2020 Core Update
Put us to the test!
Probably a little later than planned, at least for the times we had become accustomed to in recent years, but here comes the spring cleaning of the Google search algorithm. In the afternoon of May 4th, the May 2020 Core Update has started, whose action will be completed within the next two weeks.
New Google update: May 2020 Core Update
This time, too, following the pattern started last year, the Google algorithmic update was anticipated by the official Twitter channel of the company: Danny Sullivan – the signature behind the account @searchliaison – has announced the release of the update and the name chosen, which respects the established structure (banally: union of month, year and definition of the type of update, a.k.a the core update).
Dropping rankings right after the update? What to do to recover
Moreover, Google’s public voice also refers to an article in order to remind webmasters, SEO professionals and in general whoever works on sites how to respond to an algorithmic update of the search engine. Wanting to summarize, if our site loses positions after an update it is not a matter of targeted penalty nor the effect of some error, but a general scrambling of the rankings that Google does in the light of new interpretations given to queries, search intent and SERPs.
In short, what we can do is roll up our sleeves and start studying the new Serps, then understand what the search engine is now rewarding and what are the contents that it identifies as best, and try to re-orient our pages in the light of this information to try and go back up the hill.
What to expect from the Google algorithmic update
In recent years, as we were saying earlier, Google has maintained a fairly regular schedule for the release of these large general updates of the algorithm, which basically come on a quarterly (and seasonal, if you will) basis. The May 2020 Core Update is the second of the year – after the January 2020 Core Update released in mid-January (of which we also analyzed the most immediate effects on rankings) – and according to American commentators, it may have been slightly delayed due to the Coronavirus.
The goals of Google’s broad core updates
This type of update – that basically concerns the general algorithm of Google Search – is designed to produce widely evident effects in search results in all countries and in all languages.
For sites, it means that there could be severe upheavals in placements, with declines or spikes in climbs depending on contexts and ratings.
Generally, changes in search rankings are a reflection of the relevance of the content in light of new interpretations given to various parameters/factors; for this reason, if a content acquires more relevance will benefit from a boost up, or it will come down if Google has lost the focus compared to search intent (because competing sites more in focus will be rewarded instead).
Basically, all contents – old and new ones – must be re-assessed compared to the previously used criteria and this could generate the classic ranking fluctuations.
Google Update and Coronavirus: high volatility expected
The May 2020 Core Update starts in a context rather delicate for the whole world, the fight against the Covid-19 that is making its effects be felt on the digital market and organic searches, too, as we know. SEO analysts expect this “first update at the time of the pandemic” to be particularly volatile precisely because it fits into a framework that is already complex for sites.
As early as late April, for instance, Barry Schwartz on Seroundtable had reported fluctuations on US Serps and spoke of a possible minor algorithmic update, and in general in March and April we have seen – on our rankings, as well – many shuffling movements also caused by the frenzy of the offline world and by the changes, progressive and very fast, of the search behaviour of users.
Danny Sullivan himself, in a previous tweet, revealed that “Google Search has never seen so many searches for a single topic continue for such an extended period as is happening now with the COVID-19″, also explaining that the search engine itself had the need to adapt to reality and try to offer better and proper answers.
