Google May 2020 Core Update – What You Need to Know

The Google May 2020 Core Update, which rolled out on May 4, 2020, marked another significant change in how Google ranks content and evaluates websites. Core updates like this one are designed to improve how Google understands queries, evaluates content quality, and ranks websites. As with any major update, it brought uncertainty for many site owners, particularly those who noticed sudden changes in rankings or traffic.

A Brief History of the May 2020 Core Update

Google releases core updates several times a year, and the May 2020 update was particularly impactful due to its timing during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses around the world were already grappling with disruptions, and this update caused further shifts in the visibility of websites.

Google’s core updates are broad and affect all industries, meaning that no niche is specifically targeted. However, these updates tend to recalibrate rankings to reward pages that provide the most relevant and high-quality content based on Google’s evolving understanding of search intent. The May 2020 update continued this trend, but it was notable for its large-scale impacts across various sectors.

What Does the May 2020 Core Update Include and Affect?

The May 2020 Core Update primarily focused on content quality, user intent, and the E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) guidelines that Google has emphasized in recent years. Here are some of the key elements that the update influenced:

1. Relevance of Content: Google is constantly improving how well it matches search queries with the most relevant content. The May 2020 update was designed to reward sites that accurately addressed user queries with in-depth, well-structured, and relevant content.
2. E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness): Websites that showed higher levels of expertise and authority, especially in sectors like health, finance, and law, were rewarded. Google’s algorithms increasingly focused on trust, which had implications for sites relying on auto-generated content, thin pages, or unverified information.
3. Mobile Usability and UX: The update also affected mobile-friendliness and user experience. Websites that provided seamless experiences on mobile devices, with fast loading times and intuitive navigation, performed better.
4. On-Page Factors and Structured Data: Sites that utilized structured data to help Google understand their content better tended to see positive effects. Using schema markup, optimizing for featured snippets, and providing comprehensive answers to common user queries were all important elements.

How Could Your Site Be Affected?

If you noticed a sudden change in your site’s rankings around May 2020, the update may have impacted your performance. Websites with the following characteristics were likely affected:

• Thin or Low-Quality Content: Pages with little valuable information or those that were overly promotional could have dropped in rankings. Google’s focus on delivering the best possible user experience meant that sites lacking depth were demoted.
• Lack of Expertise or Authority: Sites within highly regulated industries (health, finance, etc.) that didn’t demonstrate clear expertise or trustworthiness may have seen declines. This aligns with Google’s increased emphasis on E-A-T in recent years.
• Poor User Experience (UX): Websites that had high bounce rates, poor mobile responsiveness, or slow loading times could have suffered. Google rewards sites that prioritize a smooth and efficient user experience, especially on mobile devices.
• Content That Does Not Satisfy User Intent: Sites that did not sufficiently align with user search intent saw decreases. For example, pages offering superficial information where users expected in-depth answers likely lost ranking.

How to Improve Your Site’s Quality Post-Update

If your site was negatively impacted by the May 2020 Core Update, there are several steps you can take to improve its quality and regain rankings:

1. Focus on High-Quality, Relevant Content

Content that provides comprehensive answers to user queries is essential. Focus on creating in-depth, valuable articles that address user intent. Avoid keyword stuffing or producing content just for the sake of publishing. Instead, focus on offering valuable insights, original research, and well-supported claims.

2. Improve E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)

To improve in this area, consider the following:

• Showcase your credentials: Ensure that your authors and contributors are qualified and credible in their respective fields.
• Cite reliable sources: Reference authoritative websites and studies to back up your content.
• Build backlinks from high-authority sites to boost your domain’s credibility.

3. Optimize for User Experience (UX)

User experience is a growing factor in SEO, and Google rewards sites that are easy to navigate, fast-loading, and mobile-friendly. To enhance UX:

• Improve page speed: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify and fix issues affecting your site’s load time.
• Mobile optimization: Ensure that your site offers a seamless experience across all devices.
• Intuitive navigation: Make it easy for users to find what they’re looking for with clear menus and internal linking.

4. Utilize Structured Data

Implementing structured data like schema markup helps search engines better understand your content. This can improve your chances of appearing in rich results such as featured snippets or knowledge panels, which enhance visibility.

5. Conduct Regular Content Audits

Post-update, it’s essential to regularly audit your content to ensure it’s still aligned with user intent and provides valuable insights. Remove or update outdated content and focus on pages that need improvement.

Conclusion: Staying Ahead of Core Updates

The Google May 2020 Core Update serves as a reminder that Google’s focus is continually evolving to reward high-quality content that provides the best possible experience for users. By improving your site’s content relevance, expertise, and user experience, you can ensure that your website remains competitive, even in the face of future algorithm changes.

If you were affected by the update, take time to analyze your site’s weaknesses and address them proactively. Improving content quality, optimizing for mobile and user experience, and focusing on E-A-T are all steps that will benefit your site in the long term.

Staying informed about Google updates and continuously refining your SEO strategy will help ensure that your site thrives in the constantly changing world of search engine optimization.