Google Rolls Out March 2023 Broad Core Update

Google has confirmed rolling out March 2023 core update on March 15. This is the first broad core update of 2023, and the rollout may take up to 2 weeks to complete.

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This global update that impacts all regions and all languages will look at all types of content. Though it doesn’t penalize, it promotes or rewards good web pages. Search rankings will probably fluctuate during this period.

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Google tweeted, “We’ll update our ranking release history page when the rollout is complete”.

Google’s last broad core update was on September 2022. This update was less impactful than previous core updates and completed rolling out on September 26.

Core updates are designed to ensure that overall, Google is providing helpful and reliable results for searchers. These updates are more substantial improvements to Google’s overall ranking processes. They aim to enhance the user’s search experience, and so it is important for website owners and organic SEO companies to always prioritize the audience’s needs and strive to provide value through unique content.

With a core update, web marketers have to monitor site metrics, focus on quality content, and optimize technical aspects to maintain a strong presence in search results. They need to prioritize user experience and provide valuable content to prepare for future algorithm updates.

Monitor your analytics and rankings over the next couple of weeks to learn how your site performs during the rollout of the update. Google had earlier stated that there is nothing you can do to fix your site if you notice a drop in the search rankings following a core update.

Create Quality Content

Google says, “We suggest focusing on ensuring you’re offering the best content you can.”

To create successful, people-first content, Google recommends that you evaluate your content against these questions –

• 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?
• If the content draws on other sources, does it avoid simply copying or rewriting those sources, and instead provide substantial additional value and originality?
• Does the main heading or page title provide a descriptive, helpful summary of the content?
• Does the main heading or page title avoid exaggerating or being shocking in nature?
• Is this the sort of page you’d want to bookmark, share with a friend, or recommend?
• Would you expect to see this content in or referenced by a printed magazine, encyclopedia, or book?
• Does the content provide substantial value when compared to other pages in search results?

Focus on People-first Content

By answering “yes” to these questions, you can probably make sure that you are on the right track with a people-first approach:

• Do you have an existing or intended audience for your business or site that would find the content useful if they came directly to you?
• Does your content clearly demonstrate first-hand expertise and a depth of knowledge (for example, expertise that comes from having actually used a product or service, or visiting a place)?
• Does your site have a primary purpose or focus?
• After reading your content, will someone leave feeling they’ve learned enough about a topic to help achieve their goal?
• Will someone reading your content leave feeling like they’ve had a satisfying experience?

Broad core updates tend to happen every few months. When it comes to recovery from a core update, Google says that, “Content that was impacted in Search or Discover by one might not recover-assuming improvements have been made-until the next broad core update is released. Do keep in mind that improvements made by site owners aren’t a guarantee of recovery, nor do pages have any static or guaranteed position in our search results. If there’s more deserving content, that will continue to rank well with our systems.”

Companies providing professional content writing services can help websites create and share unique and interactive content online. Reliable service providers will avoid creating a search engine-first content. They’ll also be up to date with the E-E-A-T and the quality rater guidelines. Google also recommends evaluating the content in terms of “Who, How, and Why”, to stay on course with what their systems seek to reward.