Google Algorithm Updates (2022–2024)
Posted by james@nurho.tech on November 19, 2024
Each update is presented with the date, name, and key changes on the left, while the right column provides detailed and specific steps to help you adapt effectively to each algorithm change.
| Date & Update | Detailed Practical Steps to Adapt |
|---|---|
| December 5, 2022 – January 12, 2023 December 2022 Helpful Content Update - Introduced E-E-A-T guidelines (added "Experience") - Demoted SEO-first content - Rewarded firsthand experience in content |
Produce Original Content with Firsthand Experience - Create content based on personal expertise and experiences. Include case studies, original research, or personal anecdotes to add unique value. Enhance Author Credibility - Display detailed author bios with qualifications and experience. Link to author social profiles and other publications to build trust. Focus on User Intent - Conduct keyword research to understand user queries and create content that fully addresses their needs without over-optimizing for keywords. |
| December 14, 2022 – January 12, 2023 December 2022 Link Spam Update - Improved detection of unnatural backlinks - Neutralized spammy links - Combated link buying/selling |
Audit Your Backlink Profile - Use tools like Google Search Console or third-party SEO tools to identify low-quality or spammy backlinks. Disavow harmful links through Google's Disavow Tool. Avoid Participating in Link Schemes - Refrain from buying or exchanging links. Focus on earning links naturally through high-quality content and relationships. Build High-Quality Backlinks - Develop a content marketing strategy that includes guest posting, PR outreach, and creating shareable content to attract authoritative links. |
| February 21 – March 7, 2023 February 2023 Product Reviews Update - Rewarded in-depth product reviews - Recommended evidence of experience - Encouraged links to multiple sellers |
Create Comprehensive Product Reviews - Write detailed reviews covering all aspects of the product, including functionality, usability, pros and cons, and comparisons with similar products. Provide Evidence of Use - Include original photos, videos, or data demonstrating your firsthand experience with the product to build credibility. Link to Multiple Sellers - Offer users options by linking to different reputable sellers, helping them make informed purchasing decisions. |
| March 15 – March 28, 2023 March 2023 Core Update - Improved identification of quality content - High SERP volatility, especially on mobile - Adjusted content relevance assessment |
Optimize for Mobile Users - Ensure your website is mobile-responsive with fast load times. Use Google's Mobile-Friendly Test to identify and fix issues. Enhance Content Quality - Update existing content to be more comprehensive, accurate, and aligned with user intent. Remove or improve low-quality pages. Monitor Performance Metrics - Use analytics tools to track changes in rankings and traffic. Analyze data to identify patterns and adjust your SEO strategy accordingly. |
| April 12 – April 25, 2023 April 2023 Reviews Update - Rewarded in-depth research in reviews - Targeted thin, summary-type reviews - Affected various review types (services, destinations, etc.) |
Diversify and Deepen Review Content - Expand reviews to cover services, destinations, and other areas relevant to your audience. Provide detailed analysis, comparisons, and unique perspectives. Use Structured Data Markup - Implement Review Schema to help search engines understand your content and enhance visibility with rich snippets. Encourage User Engagement - Allow users to leave comments or their own reviews to add depth and community interaction to your content. |
| August 22 – September 7, 2023 August 2023 Core Update - Improved organic search results - Significant SERP volatility - Highlighted potential for traffic changes |
Analyze Traffic Changes - Use Google Analytics and Search Console to identify which pages gained or lost traffic. Look for patterns related to content type, keywords, or user engagement. Benchmark Against Competitors - Analyze top-ranking competitors to understand what they're doing differently. Look at content depth, format, and user engagement strategies. Improve Technical SEO - Audit your site for technical issues like broken links, duplicate content, and slow page speeds. Fixing these can improve crawlability and user experience. |
| September 14 – September 28, 2023 September 2023 Helpful Content Update - Promoted content demonstrating E-E-A-T - Demoted ranking-focused content - Emphasized user satisfaction |
Align Content with E-E-A-T Principles - Ensure your content demonstrates Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Cite reliable sources, include author credentials, and provide accurate information. Prioritize User-Centric Content - Focus on answering users' questions and solving their problems. Avoid fluff and filler content designed only to rank. Avoid Over-Optimization - Write naturally without keyword stuffing. Use keywords where they fit contextually and contribute to content quality. |
| October 4 – October 19, 2023 October 2023 Spam Update - Targeted cloaked, hacked, auto-generated, and scraped content - Affected multiple languages - Improved spam detection |
Secure Your Website - Implement security measures like SSL certificates, regular software updates, and security plugins to prevent hacking. Remove Low-Quality Content - Audit your site for auto-generated or scraped content. Remove or replace it with original, high-quality content. Maintain Transparency - Ensure that the content presented to search engines matches what users see. Avoid any cloaking practices. |
| October 5 – October 19, 2023 October 2023 Core Update - Aimed to improve search result quality - Adjusted content relevance algorithms - Resulted in ranking fluctuations |
Update and Enrich Content - Refresh outdated content with new information, statistics, and insights to maintain relevance. Optimize for User Intent - Re-evaluate your content to ensure it matches the search intent of your target keywords. Adjust as necessary to meet user expectations. Improve Engagement Metrics - Enhance content readability and include multimedia elements to keep users engaged, reducing bounce rates and increasing time on site. |
| November 2 – November 28, 2023 November 2023 Core Update - Improved content quality and relevance - Refined understanding of user intent - Caused ranking changes across niches |
Conduct Fresh Keyword Research - Identify new keywords and trends in your industry. Adjust your content strategy to include these terms where appropriate. Enhance Meta Tags and Snippets - Write compelling and accurate meta titles and descriptions to improve click-through rates from SERPs. Update Underperforming Content - Identify pages with declining traffic and refresh them with updated information, better formatting, and improved calls to action. |
| November 8 – December 7, 2023 November 2023 Reviews Update - Promoted original, well-researched reviews - Emphasized evidence and comparisons - Last reviews update on Dashboard |
Deepen Review Analysis - Go beyond surface-level observations by including detailed comparisons, performance metrics, and real-world testing results. Include User-Generated Content - Encourage customers to leave their own reviews and ratings, adding authenticity and varied perspectives to your site. Regularly Update Reviews - Keep your reviews current by revisiting products or services and noting any changes or updates since your last review. |
| March 5 – April 26, 2024 March 2024 Core Update - Evolved identification of helpful content - Shifted to multiple signals and systems - Promoted useful, demoted unsatisfactory content |
Focus on Content Depth and Accuracy - Create comprehensive guides and resources that thoroughly cover topics of interest to your audience. Improve User Experience (UX) - Enhance site navigation, ensure mobile responsiveness, and improve page load times to keep users engaged. Leverage Multimedia Content - Incorporate videos, infographics, and images to enrich content and cater to different learning styles. |
| March 5 – March 20, 2024 March 2024 Spam Update - Introduced new spam policies - Targeted expired domain, scaled content, and site reputation abuse - Enhanced spam detection |
Avoid Abusing Expired Domains - If using expired domains, ensure they are rebranded properly with original content. Do not rely on their previous SEO value. Quality Over Quantity - Focus on producing high-quality, original content rather than mass-producing low-value pages. Maintain Editorial Standards - Implement strict guidelines for any third-party or user-generated content to ensure it meets your site's quality standards. |
| June 20 – June 27, 2024 June 2024 Spam Update - Improved detection of spammy practices - Targeted cloaking, keyword stuffing, scraping - Demoted or removed violating sites/pages |
Ensure Content Originality - Use plagiarism checkers to verify that all content is unique. Avoid copying or scraping content from other sites. Use Keywords Naturally - Incorporate keywords in a way that reads naturally and adds value to the content. Avoid overuse or irrelevant inclusion of keywords. Avoid Cloaking - Ensure the content served to search engines is the same as what users see. Do not hide content or links. |
| August 15 – September 3, 2024 August 2024 Core Update - Improved content quality in search results - Demoted outdated SEO practices - Based on feedback from creators and users |
Update Outdated Content and Practices - Review your site for any outdated SEO tactics (e.g., keyword stuffing, hidden text) and remove them. Engage with Audience Feedback - Implement feedback forms or surveys to gather user opinions and make improvements accordingly. Enhance Content Relevance - Regularly update content to reflect the latest information and trends in your industry. |
| November 7 – November 28, 2024 November 2024 Core Update - Enhanced relevance and quality of search results - Focused on E-E-A-T - Adjusted algorithms to assess content quality better |
Conduct a Comprehensive Content Audit - Evaluate all existing content for quality, relevance, and performance. Update, consolidate, or remove content as needed. Strengthen E-E-A-T Signals - Experience: Highlight firsthand experiences in your content. - Expertise: Showcase author qualifications and subject matter expertise. - Authoritativeness: Earn backlinks from reputable sources and include citations. - Trustworthiness: Ensure your site has clear contact information, privacy policies, and security measures. Optimize Underperforming Pages - Use analytics to identify pages with decreased performance. Refresh these pages with updated information, improved SEO, and enhanced user engagement elements like videos or interactive content. |
Read further: 16 actionable insights from Google Search algorithm updates (2022–2024)