Breaking Down Google’s December 2024 Core Update– What Changed?
Google December 2024 Core Update has sent ripples across the online digital marketing industry. For marketers, SEO agencies and professionals and website owners, understanding what this update entails and how it affects website rankings is vital — particularly given the volatility of web traffic during the holiday season.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down what was included in the Google December 2024 core update, its impact on Google rankings, what marketers need to know and practical steps to recover if these changes have not worked in your domain’s favour. Let’s dive in.
Google December 2024 Core Update
Before we dive in – you may also want to review:
A Complete History of Google Algorithm Updates | Google’s March 2023 Core Algorithm Update | What is Google Panda? | What Is Google Penguin? | Google November 2024 Core Algorithm Update
What Was Included in the Google December 2024 Core Update?
Google’s core updates are broad algorithmic adjustments designed at improving search results — and the December 2024 algorithm update followed suit. Rolled out from December 12 to December 18, the December 2024 algorithm update focuses on the following key areas:
- Content Quality and Relevance — Building on the November 2024 core update, Google continues to prioritise high-quality, well written, original content relevant to users’ search intent. Sites with mediocre, repetitive or outdated content may experience ranking declines.
- E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority and Trustworthiness) — A stronger emphasis has been placed on Google’s E-E-A-T criteria. Websites with authoritative content aligning with Google’s E-E-A-T criteria and credible backlinks from authoritative websites are rewarded.
- User Experience (UX) — Core Web Vitals including fast site loading speed, interactivity and visual stability, remain significant ranking factors. Websites offering a seamless and intuitive user experience are likely to gain higher rankings.
- Freshness of Content — Up-to-date content that matches current trends and user demands is now prioritised. Regardless of service industry or product offerings, browsers are more likely to rely on or trust brands that stay on top of the latest industry movements.
- Spam Prevention — Running from December 19 to December 26, Google surprised marketers and website owners with a spam-focused update. As a result, Google’s spam detection algorithms were enhanced to reduce manipulative link-building tactics, keyword stuffing, and other black-hat SEO practices.
How the Google December 2024 Core Update Affected Rankings
Some sites previously hit by these updates have reported traffic recoveries. Although unlike recent updates since 2023, there were fewer reports of negative impact from SEOs and publishers, suggesting a smoother rollout overall.
Here’s how different website types were affected:
1. Content-heavy Websites
Blogs, news platforms, and educational sites with well-researched, original content have seen ranking improvements. Conversely, sites with aggregated or duplicated content faced ranking declines.
2. E-Commerce Platforms
Product pages with unique descriptions, customer reviews, and strong UX have benefited from the December 2024 update. Meanwhile, sites with generic descriptions or slow-loading pages saw drops.
3. Local Businesses
With more and more browsers relying on local searches to find services near them, local SEO has become essential for small businesses. Businesses with accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone) details and localised content are gaining greater visibility.
4. Niche Sites
Websites that produce content for specialised fields such as pet care, hiking or gardening performed well if they adhered to high E-E-A-T standards, whereas sites lacking authority or niche expertise struggled to rank among competitors.
Four Real-World Applications of the December 2024 Algorithm Update
Want a closer look at how the Google December 2024 algorithm update could impact your site? Let’s look at some of the areas your site could hypothetically improve according to your industry:
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Medical and Health Websites
Websites in the medical and health industry have the potential to increase organic traffic by shifting their content strategy to focus on detailed, scientifically backed articles authored by qualified professionals. Adhering to the E-E-A-T framework could strengthen the site’s perceived authority in the niche.
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E-commerce Stores
Online retailers, from electronics to home decor, may see a boost in rankings and revenue by improving product descriptions, integrating user reviews and ensuring faster load times for mobile users.
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Local Service Providers
Whether you’re in the hospitality or service industry, adjusting your local SEO tactics can drive massive results. For example, a plumbing company may improve its visibility for “emergency plumber near me” searches by optimising its Google Business Profile and adding localized content.
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Educational Platforms
Educational institutions or course providers have every opportunity to thrive online by refreshing outdated landing pages with interactive features and relevant content. In comparison, a competitor may lose visibility due to broken links and outdated course information.
Lessons from Previous Core Algorithm Updates
Google’s core updates constantly emphasise quality, relevance and user-centric practices. By examining historical updates, we can extract valuable insights to apply to the latest update:
- June 2021 Core Update — This update heavily emphasised Core Web Vitals, pushing site owners to focus on page speed and interactivity. Sites that adapted quickly reaped long-term benefits.
- March 2023 Core Update — The March 2023 core update focused on improving spam detection and rewarding websites with ethical link-building strategies. Sites engaging in manipulative practices saw sharp declines.
- September 2023 Core Update — This update highlighted the importance of aligning content with user search intent. Websites that conducted thorough keyword research and delivered value-added content experienced growth.
Applying Insights in December 2024
Stay aligned with Google’s evolving priorities by doing the following:
- Adapt swiftly to Google’s focus areas, such as E-E-A-T, UX, and content relevance.
- Avoid black-hat SEO tactics, as Google’s algorithms are increasingly adept at penalising manipulative or aggressive SEO behaviour.
- Invest in technical SEO to ensure your site’s foundation supports optimal performance.
Google December 2024 Core Update: Five Key Takeaways for Marketers
Now that the Google December 2024 core update is fully rolled out, marketers and business owners should get on top of reviewing the data and revisiting strategies to avoid massive fluctuations and even drops in rankings. We’ve jotted down the five key factors to remember before you start:
1. Content is King, Context is Queen
Every marketer or SEO expert knows the classic saying, “Content is king.” However, following the December 2024 algorithm update, context has become just as important. Sites must focus on creating value-driven content tailored to your target audience. It may even be more turning to the data to better understand user intent and provide actionable insights.
2. E-E-A-T is Mandatory
Think of how many brands your business competes with every day. How can you ensure your content is not only unique but worth reading to browsers? Some tactics may include a comprehensive backlinking strategy, illustrating expert authorship through real-life bylines or being transparent with your policies. The goal is to showcase your credentials and expertise while revealing “the faces” behind your business.
3. Don’t Skimp on Technical SEO
With attention spans and patience getting shorter among browsers, websites must be able to deliver, so focusing on your website’s technical SEO should be a top priority. Ensure your website is technically sound by optimising Core Web Vitals, fixing crawl errors and improving mobile responsiveness. Approaching with a mobile-first attitude can mean all the difference in the long run.
4. Leverage Data
Gone are the days of guessing what’s working. Know where you stand by using SEO tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to monitor changes in traffic, keywords and performance post-update. Clear-cut evidence gives you a leg to stand on when refining, altering or expanding your SEO efforts.
5. Adapt to Search Intent Trends
All roads lead back to browsers. What are they searching for? How do they land on your site? What questions do they have, and how can your business answer them? Analyse search trends and queries to align your content strategy with evolving user behaviour.
Extra SEO Tips for December 2024 Algorithm Update and Beyond
To drive growth and maintain top-ranking positions following the Google December 2024 core update, a multi-channel approach is highly recommended. Here are four places to get started:
- Leverage Structured Data — Implement schema markup to help Google understand your content better and improve search visibility.
- Prioritise Mobile-first Indexing — Ensure your mobile site is as user-friendly as your desktop version. Many browsers are after quick results, making mobile-friendliness crucial.
- Stay Updated — Follow Google’s official announcements and trusted SEO blogs to stay informed about algorithm changes. Digital marketing experts, like Online Marketing Gurus, are fantastic resources for not only remaining abreast of the latest changes but also implementing strategies that work in favour of these updates.
- Engage in Ethical Link-building — Google’s ability to track and penalise your website for black-hat SEO tactics is only set to improve, so focus on earning high-quality backlinks naturally rather than using manipulative tactics.
Online Marketing Gurus — helping businesses stay relevant and ahead of the marketing curve
With the Google December 2024 core update reinforcing quality content, user intent and ethical SEO, marketers and business owners must act now. Align your Search Engine Optimisation / SEO strategy now to maintain or improve your site’s rankings.
If you’ve been impacted by the December 2024 algorithm update or need expert guidance to enhance your digital marketing efforts, Online Marketing Gurus is here to help. With a team of experienced professionals and evidence-backed strategies, we can guide you through the complexities of Google’s algorithm updates and help you achieve your marketing goals.
Find out why we’re the top marketing agency of choice for over 1,000 businesses by contacting us today for a free website audit or consultation.
