Google’s June 2019 Broad Core Algorithm Update

Google released a core algorithm update at the beginning of June 2019 which has impacted marketers, advertisers and SEO teams. Over a month has passed by, the dust has settled, and the true impact of the update is coming to light, allowing us to decipher what you can do for your website if it has been negatively affected.  

What was the June 2019 update?

Usually, Google gives no warning of an impending update. This time was different as they broke the news through their @searchliasion Twitter account. Minimal insight was provided into the algorithm changes, leaving SEO teams to figure out exactly what Google had altered.

We know Google focuses heavily on user experience and quality content with this latest update essentially being a refinement of the August 2018 medic (also known as E-A-T) update. At the end of May 2019, we also found that changes had been made to Google’s Quality Rating Guidelines which were an almost perfect replay of the medic update.

Google now defines E-A-T as an integral part of determining webpage quality, meaning quality content is still one of your best assets to influence SERPs. The E-A-T update has become a central pillar to the algorithm, it has gone from being what may have previously been an afterthought to a core focus for businesses within just a year. Naturally, changes of this magnitude can impact websites both negatively and positively.

What is the impact of the update so far?

From the analysis conducted by our SEO experts, a trend was recognised. Industries most impacted from this update included Motoring, Finance, Retail and Travel, also typically known as YMYL (Your Money, Your Life) sectors.

For many of these YMYL clients, we had already written or re-written content to satisfy the E-A-T update and our clients saw a net-benefit from the June update. It’s great to see our strategy to enhance content have been responding positively and that it is in line with Google’s content guidelines.

However, no two websites are the same. If your rankings have been negatively affected by the recent core algorithm update, there are a few things you can do to help get your site performing again.

What should you do if your search rankings have been affected?

Google remains vague regarding the June core update with their tweets of advice centring predominantly around quality content. To quote Danny Sullivan’s tweet “We suggest focusing on ensuring you’re offering the best content you can. That’s what our algorithms seek to reward…”.

The takeaway from the updates is that there are no immediate, quick fixes. Google has said “Sometimes, we make broad changes to our core algorithm. We inform about those because the actionable advice is that there is nothing in particular to “fix,” and we don’t want content owners to mistakenly try to change things that aren’t issues…”. The search engine has informed content creators not to make any major changes to content in case there was never a problem with it in the first place.

Instead, efforts should be focused on producing better content, ensuring you are writing and sharing relevant, high-quality material, especially if your business falls into the YMYL sectors. By doing so, you will build a brand that is highly engaging and solidifies trust with users.

Google’s priority is its users, and they want to continue to provide search results that are high in quality and relevant to the needs of their audience. We suggest you tackle your website improvements with this in mind and always consider the point of view of your customers.

If you have been affected by the June 2019 update or need support generating E-A-T compliant content, contact our team of SEO experts at Ingenuity Digital.