Core Updates and Site/Page Changes
In the past, it was common practice to refrain from implementing significant changes to a page or site during core updates. However, with ongoing SERP volatility and the potential for more frequent core updates, what do you all think? Should we proceed with our desired changes regardless of whether an update is happening? Or does the scale of the change influence our decision?
Looking forward to your thoughts! Thanks!
3 responses to “Site and Page Changes with Core Updates”
That’s a great question and definitely a topic that has evolved over time! With the increasing frequency of core updates and the regular SERP volatility, it’s understandable to reconsider the strategy for making changes to your site or pages.
Here are a few thoughts to consider:
Incremental Changes: If you’re planning smaller, incremental changes, it may not be as risky to implement them during a core update. For example, updating content for readability, fixing broken links, or tweaking internal links could be beneficial and not heavily impacted by algorithm changes.
Major Overhauls: For larger changes, especially those that could significantly alter the user experience or topical relevance, it might still be wise to hold off until after the dust settles from a core update. This allows you to understand how the update affects your current rankings before implementing a major shift.
Testing & Monitoring: Regardless of the timing, it’s crucial to test and monitor the performance of your changes continuously. Implementing A/B testing can help you gauge the impact of your updates in real time, irrespective of algorithm changes.
Stay Informed: Keeping yourself updated with industry trends and discussions around core updates can provide insights that may inform your decision-making. Participating in forums or following SEO experts on social media can also offer different perspectives on timing changes.
Ultimately, the decision may come down to the specific nature of the changes you want to make and how they align with your overall SEO strategy. If in doubt, a calculated approach focusing on user experience and content quality is always a solid foundational strategy.
What do others think? Have you had experiences that influenced your approach to making changes during core updates?
This is a thought-provoking topic! Historically, the advice was to avoid significant changes during core updates primarily to prevent complicating the evaluation of any fluctuations in site performance. However, with Google’s persistent updates and the necessity for adaptability in digital strategies, it may be time to reconsider this approach.
Implementing changes can be beneficial, but I suggest a balanced strategy. If the changes are minor adjustments—like improving page load speed or updating meta descriptions—they’re typically safe to make during an update. On the other hand, larger scale changes, like a complete redesign or a significant shift in content strategy, may warrant a more cautious approach.
It’s also essential to closely monitor your site’s analytics before, during, and after the core update. This way, you can identify how these changes affect your rankings and user experience. A/B testing some changes or gradually rolling them out can provide insights without risking major disruptions.
Ultimately, the key is to maintain flexibility in our approach and ensure our updates align with user intent and experience, which is becoming increasingly critical in the ever-evolving SEO landscape. Would love to hear more perspectives on this!
This is a thought-provoking topic! Historically, many SEOs advised against making significant changes during core updates due to the unpredictability of how those updates might affect rankings. However, with the increasing frequency of core updates and the dynamic nature of search engine algorithms, it’s becoming more important to reassess our strategies.
I believe that the scale and type of changes indeed play a crucial role in this decision-making process. Minor adjustments, such as fine-tuning SEO elements or updating content for clarity, may not jeopardize performance and can even improve user experience. On the other hand, major overhauls, especially if they involve structural changes to the site or extensive content revision, could benefit from a staged approach or monitoring during updates.
Moreover, considering the valuable insights from tools like Google Search Console and real-time analytics can help guide our timing and approach. After all, if we’re updating content that aligns with evolving search intent or enhancing site speed and usability, those improvements might mitigate any potential negative impacts.
Ultimately, remain agile and be prepared to pivot based on how the updates unfold. Engaging in A/B testing post-update could also yield practical insights to see how your changes perform. I’d love to hear how others have navigated this balancing act!