SEARCHENGINES

Google Says Again, Sites Hit By The Old Helpful Content Update Can Recover

Published

5 months ago

May 6, 2024

Google’s John Mueller said again this morning that sites hit by the old September helpful content update or even new core updates can recovery. He said on X and on LinkedIn that it is possible to recover but it is not a simple change you can tweak on your website, but rather it takes a lot of effort, over time, to recover.

John said that not only can you recover but you can grow. He said this morning, “Yes, sites can grow again after being affected by the “HCU” (well, core update now).”

Last week we covered how John said it may just take a lot of time to recover from that helpful content update. This is despite Google telling some people it can take weeks (then said several months) to recover.

I know the helpful content update is no more, it is now a core update. But many were expecting some of those hit by the September helpful content update to recover with the March 2024 core update – but that did not happen.

John Mueller from Google said on LinkedIn, “It’s just that some kinds of changes take a long time to build up, and that applies to all kinds of systems & updates in Google & in any other larger computer system.”

He wrote on LinkedIn fully:

I realize this is from the title of Barry’s post, but to be clear, it’s not that “helpful content update” “recoveries” take longer than other updates. It’s just that some kinds of changes take a long time to build up, and that applies to all kinds of systems & updates in Google & in any other larger computer system. Saying that this is specific to the helpful content system, or to core updates would be wrong & misleading.

There is, however, the additional aspect of the “core update” being about how our systems assess content overall, how we consider it to be helpful, reliable, relevant to users’ queries. This does not map back to a single change that you can make on a website, so – in my experience – it’s not something that a website can just tweak overnight and be done with it. It can require deep analysis to understand how to make a website relevant in a modern world, and significant work to implement those changes — assuming that it’s something that aligns with what the website even wants. These are not “recoveries” in the sense that someone fixes a technical issue and they’re back on track – they are essentially changes in a business’s priorities (and, a business might choose not to do that).

He added on LinkedIn:

making a site more helpful (assuming that’s what you’re aiming for) doesn’t mean you have to add more content. There’s a lot that goes into making a helpful site – content is one part, and more content is not necessarily more helpful. Think about how you use the web.

He also posted this morning on X, “Yes, sites can grow again after being affected by the “HCU” (well, core update now). This isn’t permanent. It can take a lot of work, time, and perhaps update cycles, and/but a different – updated – site will be different in search too.” He added, “Permanent changes are not very useful in a dynamic world, so yes. However, “recover” implies going back to just-as-before, and IMO that is always unrealistic, since the world, user-expectations, and the rest of the web continues to change. It’s never “just-as-before”.”

Here are some of the new posts on this topic from John over the weekend:

Permanent changes are not very useful in a dynamic world, so yes. However, “recover” implies going back to just-as-before, and IMO that is always unrealistic, since the world, user-expectations, and the rest of the web continues to change. It’s never “just-as-before”.

— John 🧀 … 🧀 (@JohnMu) May 6, 2024

Yes, sites can grow again after being affected by the “HCU” (well, core update now). This isn’t permanent. It can take a lot of work, time, and perhaps update cycles, and/but a different – updated – site will be different in search too.

— John 🧀 … 🧀 (@JohnMu) May 6, 2024

It’s because not all changes require another update cycle. In practice, I’d assume that stronger effects will require another update. Core updates can include many things.

— John 🧀 … 🧀 (@JohnMu) May 4, 2024

(“thresholds” is a simplification for any numbers that need a lot of work and data to be recalculated, reevaluated, reviewed)

— John 🧀 … 🧀 (@JohnMu) May 4, 2024

So keep working on your site and maybe you will recover in the long run?

Forum discussion at X and LinkedIn.

Source link

Related Topics:Content Google Helpful Hit Recover searchengine Sites update

Up Next

Google Started Enforcing The Site Reputation Abuse Policy

Don't Miss

The Industry Mourns The Loss Of Mark Irvine

SEARCHENGINES

Daily Search Forum Recap: October 10, 2024

Published

6 hours ago

October 10, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.

Google Local Service Ads will require advertisers to have a Google Business Profile next month. Google is testing a Quick view button in search that gives searchers no reason to look at your site. Google may have 9,000 ad campaigns created every second. Google is testing verified labels for retailers in the product search results. Google is expanding store ratings to more countries.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

Google Tests Quick View Button For Recipes That Keep You On Google

Google is testing placing a “quick view” button overlayed on the images on recipes within Google Search. The crazy part is that clicking on “Quick view” keeps you on Google while giving you a snapshot of the content from the publisher, without sending that traffic to the publisher.

Google Local Service Ads To Soon Require Google Business Profile

Google will soon require businesses who want to advertise using Google Local Service Ads to also have a Google Business Profile. Google posted a notice that reads, “By Thursday, November 21, 2024, your Local Services ad will need a matching Google Business Profile to continue appearing in search results and to display your customer reviews.”

9,000 Google Ads Campaigns Created Every Second???

Thomas Eccel posted a guess, trying to figure out how many Google Ads campaigns are created in a timeframe. He said if the ad campaigns are issued in sequential order, based on his calculations, 9,000 ad campaigns are created on Google Ads every second.

Google Search Tests Verified Labels For Product Results

Back in August we reported that Google was testing showing verified badges, verification labels, in the organic search results. Well, now Google is testing the verified label on the detailed product results overlay, on retailer listings.

Google Store Ratings Now Available In India, Australia, Canada & UK

Google is rolling out the Store ratings feature beyond US Search. It is rolling out to searchers in Australia, Canada, India and the United Kingdom. Although, we’ve seen examples of Google showing them in Australia and other countries over the years, I guess as a test.

Google Noogler Bison Again

We have a photo of this Google Bison from 2018. It looks to be in the same condition but moved from its previous location. It also looks angry…

Other Great Search Threads:

We’re now seeing AI Overviews appearing for non signed-in users in the UK, ZA, NZ, SG, KE – well countries where English is commonly spoken., Authoritas on X

I’m sure it’ll be a great event! Unfortunately, I’m only able to make it virtually this time :-/. Martin’s there though, he’s pretty cool too!, John Mueller on LinkedIn

That’s a fantastic question and right upfront: I don’t have an answer, but I have an idea., Martin Splitt on LinkedIn

You know how sometimes you’re certain you had a good reason to do something, later on forget why, but continue doing it just in case there’s still a good reason? That’s why. 🙂, John Mueller on Mastodon

Search Engine Land Stories:

Feedback:

Have feedback on this daily recap; let me know on Twitter @rustybrick or @seroundtable, on Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky and you can follow us on Facebook and on Google News and make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or just contact us the old fashion way.

Source link

SEARCHENGINES

Daily Search Forum Recap: October 9, 2024

Published

1 day ago

October 9, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web.

DOJ may breakup Google and worse, but the ruling won’t happen officially until next year. Google is testing what people are saying short videos. Google is testing card style knowledge panels on desktop. Google is testing most mentioned places. Google Ads cleaned up its side bar navigation. Google Business Profiles lets you reorder your menu items for your restaurant.

Search Engine Roundtable Stories:

DOJ May Breakup Google As Remedy To Monopoly Ruling

Late last night, the Department of Justice indicated that it was considering a possible breakup of Google as an antitrust remedy to its monopoly ruling. Of course, Google will appeal this decision, which will have this stuck in courts for years. A breakup is probably the most strict outcomes of this ruling that anyone expected.

Google Tests What People Are Saying Short Video Search Results

Google had this feature titled “What people are saying” that led to forums, in a list and text format. Now, Google is testing this same thing but it leads to short videos on TikTok and other platforms.

Google Tests Card Style Knowledge Panel Desktop Design

Google is testing its mobile design for knowledge panels on desktop. You can see the card formatted design for these knowledge panels on the desktop interface.

Google Search Tests Most Mentioned Places Carousel

Google is testing a new local search carousel named “Most Mentioned Places.” It seems to bring up local retail stores that have the product you are searching for. It shows local Google Business Profile listings, with the photo, and review summaries.

Google Drag & Drop Reorder Your Restaurant Menu Items

Google Business Profiles now lets you quickly reorder your menu items on your restaurant’s menu with drag-and-drop menus. This allows you to move menu items from section to section much faster and easier.

Google Ads Improved Console Sidebar Navigation

Google has made a small but useful change to the Google Ads sidebar navigation. It made the background white on sub-navigational elements, which helps differentiate between main menu options and sub-menu options.

Google Bike Window Stickup Sign

Here is a large window stick up sign or decal I found on Instagram. It looks a bit over the top but hey, that is why I am sharing it with you.

Other Great Search Threads:

Search Engine Land Stories:

Feedback:

Source link

SEARCHENGINES

Google Showing Competitor Ads Above Local Reviews

Published

2 days ago

October 8, 2024

Entireweb News Bot

Google has done it again, it has shown ads from competitors directly above the reviews section of a Google local listing. We’ve seen Google do this before with LSA listings numerous times, with Google local listings and branded knowledge panels and LSA messaging.

Anthony Higman spotted this and posted screenshots and a video of this in action on X – I will say, I tried to replicate it and it did not come up for me. But here is what Anthony saw:

This is a screenshot from his videocast:

This is what I see – no ads:

Here is his video:

pic.twitter.com/iNAczCTt7U

— Anthony Higman (@AnthonyHigman) October 7, 2024

There is also this:

Recently, many clients have had a sudden influx of calls or hangup calls from paid search ads. When reviewing the calls, the consumer thinks they are calling the competitor (not bidding on them). It’s been a nightmare to navigate and negate. Plus, several brand’s name cpc went up

— Nate Louis (@N8Louis) October 8, 2024

Forum discussion at X.

Source link