In this comprehensive guide we look at Google's March and April 2023 Core Algorithm Updates and understand how we can use the changes in our favour to boost our seo clients search rankings, enhance online reputation, and outperform competitors.
Core algorithm updates can have significant impact on search rankings, As one of Australia’s expert SEO agency, we understand the importance of staying informed and adapting strategies to search engine trends.
While there is a lot of coverage on Google's core algorithm updates, but what does that mean for us marketers and website owners.
In this article, we will delve into the details of both updates and provide actionable strategies to achieve search dominance.
Let's explore the intricacies of these updates and how you can leverage them effectively.
- March 2023 Google Search Algorithm Update
- Winning & Losing Categories of March 2023 Update
- Winning & Losing Australian Domains from March 2023 Update
- Expert Tips To Grow your EAT Metrics
- Understanding the April 2023 Algorithim Update
- Winners & Loosers of April 2023 of The April 2023 Update
- Expert Tips To Leverage the Review Update
- Conclusion
What was March 2023 Google Search Algorithm Update all about?
Google's March 2023 Core Algorithm Update is a significant development that emphasizes the importance of quality content, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (E-A-T). This update aims to enhance search quality and provide users with the most relevant and valuable content. Let's explore the key aspects of the update and strategies to excel in search rankings.
Google Doublesdown on E-A-T: Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness
Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-A-T) have always been crucial factors in Google's search algorithm. However, with the March 2023 update, E-A-T has become even more important in determining website rankings.
Winners of the March 2023 Core Update
- eCommerce and shopping showed the most growth, with Amazon being a significant contributor.
- Reference materials category saw growth due to Wikipedia, but many smaller reference sites, including wiktionary.org and urbandictionary.com, were negatively impacted.
- Travel sites experienced significant volatility.
- School review sites and product review sites had both winners and losers.
- Health sites saw ranking declines for some major players, including the Mayo Clinic.
- Entertainment, music, comics, TV, and gossip sites had mixed results, with IMBD being the biggest winner.
- Top 3 Winning Australian domains that saw stand out growth from update: Betterhealth.vic.gov.au, News.com.au and Bom.gov.au
- Absolute winners are determined based on their Visibility Index score, which represents the total overall market share gained on Google relative to all other sites that in industry.
Figure 1: Winning and losing domains as per assigned Primary Category and Secondary Category from Similarweb’s list of website categories.
Winning & Losing Categories of March 2023 Core Update
For the analysis below we pulled in category labels from Similarweb for all analysed domains to see if the core updates impacted any particular categories more than others.
According to the data, we can see eCommerce and shopping represented as the winning category in terms of overall growth.
Winning & Losing Australian Domains from March 2023 Core Update
Figure 2: Winning & Losing Domains in Australia as per Sistrix Visibility Index scores on the day the update began compared to when it ended.
Expert Tips To Grow your EAT Metrics
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Building Expertise
Demonstrate expertise by creating high-quality, in-depth content that showcases your knowledge and addresses user needs. Conduct thorough research and produce authoritative articles, blog posts, and guides that provide unique insights. Craft your content using language that resonates with your target audience while maintaining professionalism and accuracy.
You could always reach out to our content experts for our intelligent content solutions.
Establishing Authoritativeness
Establish authority by building a strong online presence and earning backlinks from reputable sources within your industry. Develop relationships with influencers, industry experts, and thought leaders to increase the visibility and credibility of your website. Encourage them to reference your content, cite your research, and collaborate on guest posts, creating a network of authoritative backlinks.
If your stuck, connect for an outreach strategy.
Build Trust
Gain trust by providing accurate information, maintaining transparency, and displaying clear contact details and privacy policies on your website. Implement secure browsing protocols (HTTPS) and showcase positive user experiences through testimonials and reviews. Engage with your audience through social media and respond promptly to queries and feedback, establishing trust and fostering a sense of community.
Understanding the April 2023 Algorithim Update
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Google's April 2023 Reviews Update marks a significant shift in how the search engine evaluates and displays online reviews. This update aims to enhance the accuracy and reliability of review-based information presented to users. Let's dive into the importance of high-quality reviews and effective strategies to maximize their impact.
The Importance of High-Quality Reviews
High-quality reviews play a pivotal role in influencing consumer behavior and shaping online reputations. Recognizing their power, Google has implemented measures to filter out fraudulent or unhelpful reviews, ensuring that users have access to trustworthy and valuable insights when making decisions.
The Emergence of the "E" Factor: Real-Life Experience
Google introduces a new addition to the "E-A-T" family: the "E" for experience. With the recent March Core Update, there were indications that sites demonstrating genuine expertise might have experienced an improvement in rankings. However, the April 2023 Reviews Update made this pattern even more evident. According to Google's Search Quality Rater Guidelines, experience refers to the extent of the content creator's firsthand or life experience on the topic. Pages created by individuals with a wealth of personal experience are considered trustworthy and successful in achieving their purpose. Google emphasizes the preference for product reviews from individuals who have actually used the product, rather than those without personal experience.
Winners & Loosers of The April 2023 Update
The update has had a positive impact on sites that consistently demonstrate real-life experience in their content.
- Travel sites, particularly those without first-hand experience, have seen significant declines in rankings.
- Hotels themselves have benefited from the update, while many affiliate travel sites have suffered.
- School review sites and restaurant review sites were also impacted by the update, with winners demonstrating real-life experience and losers lacking it.
Expert Tips To Leverage the Review Update
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Foster a Positive Review Culture
Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews by implementing a proactive review acquisition strategy. This can include personalized follow-up emails, polite requests at the point of sale, and prominent review widgets on your website. By engaging with your customers and building strong relationships, you can increase the number of positive reviews associated with your brand.
Respond to Reviews Promptly
Timely and thoughtful responses to both positive and negative reviews demonstrate your commitment to customer satisfaction. Engage with reviewers by acknowledging specific details of each review, offering solutions, and expressing gratitude for their input. Craft personalized responses that show you value their feedback, helping to maintain existing customer relationships and attract potential customers who appreciate your dedication to excellent service.
Leverage Structured
Implementing structured data markup, such as review schema, is a powerful strategy to enhance the visibility and credibility of your reviews in search results. By incorporating this markup on your website, search engines gain valuable information about your reviews, including ratings, author details, and review snippets. This not only increases the likelihood of appearing in rich snippets but also attracts user attention and improves click-through rates.
Improve User Experience
A positive user experience is closely tied to your website's search ranking. Optimize your website by ensuring fast loading times, mobile responsiveness, and intuitive navigation. Make it easy for users to find and engage with your content. Create a seamless browsing experience by organizing information logically, using clear headings and subheadings, and incorporating relevant internal links. By prioritizing user experience, you signal to search engines that your website provides value and relevance, contributing to improved rankings.
Create Relevant and Engaging Content
Content remains king in the world of SEO. Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that aligns with your target audience's needs and interests. Conduct thorough keyword research to identify relevant topics and incorporate them strategically into your content. Utilize a variety of formats, such as blog posts, articles, videos, infographics, and podcasts, to cater to different user preferences. By consistently delivering valuable content, you increase the likelihood of attracting organic traffic and earning backlinks, both of which contribute to higher search rankings.
Build a Strong Social Media Presence
Social media platforms provide an excellent opportunity to promote your brand, engage with your audience, and amplify your content. Establish a strong presence on platforms relevant to your industry and target audience. Share your content, interact with followers, and encourage social sharing and engagement. By building a loyal following on social media, you increase brand visibility and create opportunities for your content to reach a wider audience, ultimately improving your search rankings.
Conclusion
Maximizing search rankings in the wake of Google's March and April 2023 Core Algorithm Updates requires a holistic approach.
The SEO landscape is ever-evolving, and staying ahead requires continuous monitoring and adaptation. Keep a close eye on your website's performance using analytical tools, track keyword rankings, and monitor user behavior and engagement metrics. Stay informed about the latest SEO trends and updates from search engines like Google. Regularly update your content, optimize your website based on user feedback and data insights, and adapt your strategies to align with the ever-changing search algorithms.
Keep in mind, we anticipate that this year will continue to witness significant turbulence in search results, particularly as Google analyzes millions of new pages, some of which rely on or partially leverage AI-generated content from ChatGPT and similar tools. So speak to our SEO Experts & ensure you are setup to navigate the everchanging seo landscape
