The November 2024 Core Update has officially wrapped, and it’s clear this one brought a much-needed breather for SEO professionals. Compared to the chaos of Google’s August 2024 Core Update, November’s changes felt like a gentle nudge rather than a seismic shift.
But don’t let its mild reputation fool you — this update still holds key takeaways for marketers looking to stay on top of their SEO game. Let’s break down what we’ve learned about the update and what it means for your rankings moving forward.
What Made November 2024’s Core Update Stand Out?
Unlike its predecessor in August, which shook up rankings across nearly every industry, the November Core Update was surprisingly steady. According to data from Semrush, per Search Engine Land, this update produced lower peak volatility, with most industries seeing smaller ranking shifts.
For example, only the News niche exceeded a volatility score of 9.0, while other verticals, such as retail and health care, stayed below this threshold. By comparison, August’s update saw eight industries surpass the same level of disruption.
The relative stability of this rollout is good news for SEOs who may have struggled to recover from earlier updates this year. However, the update wasn’t completely uneventful. Many websites still experienced noticeable ranking dips or gains — particularly those that had been teetering on the edge of Google’s quality thresholds.
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Key Changes to Google’s Search Ecosystem
As with any core update, the focus was on refining how Google evaluates content. While Google remains tight-lipped about specific algorithm changes, here’s what we can infer based on industry observations:
- Emphasis on content quality: Sites that prioritize well-written, authoritative content saw stability or slight improvements. Thin or outdated content appears to have taken a hit.
- Continued prioritization of E-E-A-T principles: Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness remained key drivers of ranking stability. Sites that lacked clear signals of authority in their niches often experienced declines.
- Site reputation policies in action: During the rollout, Google expanded its site reputation abuse policy, targeting deceptive practices. Manual actions taken under this policy likely contributed to some ranking shifts.
What This Means for SEOs and Marketers
The subdued nature of this update doesn’t mean it’s time to rest on your laurels. Here are some actionable steps to take in light of the November Core Update:
- Audit your content for quality: Take a closer look at underperforming pages. Are they addressing user intent effectively? Are they backed by credible sources?
- Double down on E-E-A-T: Build trust signals by featuring expert contributors, citing authoritative sources and maintaining transparency across your website.
- Stay agile with updates: While this update was calm, it’s always wise to monitor fluctuations and prepare for future algorithm tweaks.
For marketers managing large content portfolios, the November update serves as a reminder of the value of consistent, high-quality content strategies. Those who adapt to Google’s ongoing refinement process will continue to see dividends in the long run.
Final Thoughts
The November 2024 Core Update may not have been a headline-grabber, but its steady approach to improving search quality is a welcome change of pace. By continuing to focus on quality, authority and user-first strategies, marketers can navigate these updates with confidence.
