Google Core Update May 2020: Effects & solutions!

Who has gained from the update?

The Sistrix tool provides a good indication of which websites have gained from the Google May 2020 Core Update. The provider's visibility index provides information on how findable a website is on Google.

 

For a large number of search terms, it was also reported that major sites such as Chip, Computerbild or Spiegel had made gains despite some thin content. In fact, it happens again and again that the big players slide to the front of the SERPS at the start of an update.

 

However, it was not only absolute authority domains that performed well in the new GOOGLE UPDATE . Instead, it looks as if the search engine's algorithm can now recognize user signals even better and rewards this with better rankings - even if the content is crisp and does not cover every topic in epic breadth.

 

Who has lost out as a result of the update?

Local search results in particular have been shaken up in the first half of the year. Some people speculate that this may also have to do with Covid-19 and not necessarily be a direct result of the core update, as the lockdown has led to a reduction in "check ins".

 

The losers of the update are once again pages that have too little quality content and therefore have a low dwell time. So-called hub pages are particularly affected this time. These are, for example, overview pages on certain topics which - taken individually - simply do not have enough relevance.

 

It turns out that sites with very thin and less user-focused content have lost out. This affects many smaller affiliate projects, for example. Although these are often very extensive in terms of text, this does not always match the user's intention - especially with transactional keywords. In addition, affiliate pages rarely fulfill the E-A-T scheme (Expertise, Authority & Trust), which seems to be becoming increasingly important.

 

What SEOs should do now!

With the May 2020 update, Google has not turned the game of search engine optimization on its head. It is still the case that you have to offer the best content to outrank the competition. A certain level of authority & trust helps of course, but this should come about naturally.

 

As an SEO FREELANCER , I can recommend the following: Before investing masses of budget in (dubious) backlinks, website operators should put the content on their own site through its paces again. It is often possible to get something out of this with targeted additions.

 

Google's updates always aim to improve the user experience. This does not always succeed straight away and in some sectors Google's course correction has led to a worsening of the experience. For some search terms, authority domains with rather thin content were able to achieve top positions.

 

However, you should not be tempted to rush into action and question the entire SEO concept. As a website operator, you should instead remain true to your plan and continue to focus on the user in particular. Google is guaranteed to reward this in the long term - because the next update is sure to come!