The Last Core Update (Hopefully) Of 2024 is Complete
Google’s December 2024 core update has officially rolled out and is now complete. It started on December 12, 2024, and was completed about six days later on December 18, 2024. A rather short time frame for a core update. While it’s speculated to be a typical core update, it is atypical in the way that it rolled out just one week after the 2024 November core.
Let’s break down everything we know about the December 2024 core update, including its potential impact on your website’s SEO performance. We’ll also provide actionable tips on how to optimize your website for the new update. If you’re looking to start 2025 off with a new digital marketing agency, contact Now Media Group today at (858) 333-8950.
What We’ve Seen So Far With This Update
Based on SERP volatility and feedback from other SEOs, this was a big update. Google didn’t say much in particular about this December 2024 core. Google did say, “We have different core systems we’re always improving.” So this update should be different from the November core update but how it’s different, isn’t clear yet.
It’s likely more of the same things that the Core update focused on:
- Show more content that people find useful.
- Show less content that feels like it was made just to perform well on search engines.
- Make sure your website is fast and user-friendly.
With any core update, some sites can be devastated by one, some can find themselves seeing huge gains.
Actions to Take if You Were Hit
While we don’t know the full extent of the December 2024 core update, there are a few things you can do now to optimize your website for the new update:
- Focus on creating high-quality content: This is the most important thing you can do to improve your website’s SEO. Create content that is informative, well-written, and relevant to your target audience.
- Ensure your content is written by experts: If you’re not an expert on a topic, consider having your content written by someone who is. This will help to improve the E-E-A-T of your website.
- Make sure your website is mobile-friendly: More and more people are using mobile devices to search the web. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and easy to use on all devices.
- Improve your website’s speed: A slow-loading website will provide a poor user experience and can hurt your SEO. Make sure your website is fast-loading and optimized for speed.
- Focus on technical SEO: While technical SEO is not the main focus of core updates, it’s still important to make sure your website is technically sound. This includes fixing any broken links, improving your website’s sitemap, and ensuring that your website is secure.
Monitoring Your Website’s Performance After the Update
Use Google Search Console
- Core Web Vitals Report: Check this report to identify any issues with your website’s performance, such as slow loading times or poor user experience.
- Search Traffic Report: Monitor your website’s organic traffic to see if there are any significant changes.
- Index Coverage Report: Ensure that your website’s pages are being indexed correctly by Google.
Use Google Analytics
- Organic Traffic: Track your website’s organic traffic to see if there are any significant changes.
- User Behavior: Analyze user behavior metrics like bounce rate, time on site, and pages per session to identify any issues.
Utilize Third-Party SEO Tools
- Rank Tracking Tools: Monitor your website’s rankings for target keywords.
- Backlink Analysis Tools: Keep an eye on your website’s backlink profile.
- Site Audit Tools: Conduct regular site audits to identify technical SEO issues.
Remember, Google’s core updates are designed to improve the quality of search results for users. By focusing on creating high-quality content, optimizing your website’s technical SEO, and providing a great user experience, you can adapt to these changes and maintain a strong online presence.
Stay Strong through Core Updates
The December 2024 core update is a significant update to Google’s search algorithm. While we don’t know the full extent of the update, we can expect it to focus on rewarding websites that provide high-quality, relevant, and trustworthy content. If you’re ready to get started with Now Media Group, contact our team today at (858) 333-8950 for more information about our SEO services.