jason@position1seo.com
0141 846 0114
Free SEO Audit
logo

What We Know About The May 2020 Google Algorithm Update

May 2020 Core Update

SEO companies UK wide may find themselves in demand today following the latest Google algorithm update that was launched on the 4th of May after an announcement from Danny Sullivan.

Google Search Liaison 2

Google has been quick to announce such updates, which impact national and local SEO companies, now using a generic Month/Year naming pattern.

The May 2020 Core Update was rolled out around 3:52 pm yesterday.Google Search Liaison 3

Second Core Update in 2020

So far, this is the second confirmed update made by Google in 2020. The first one was launched in January.

It may feel like it was a long time since the last update, given the coronavirus situation.

However, Google has no plans for pausing core updates amid the pandemic.

If you want to know why this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, read the following paragraphs.

What is the purpose of Core Algorithm Updates?

Core updates have widely noticeable effects across search results worldwide, in all kinds of languages.

Such updates can give sites either a drop or gain in their search rankings.

These search ranking changes are usually related to the relevance of the published contents.

In other words, content that has achieved more relevancy since the last update will more likely have a higher ranking. This means the opposite of this is also true.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the recently published contents that weren’t live when the last update took place, this will be reassessed against the previous content.

All in all, this means that search rankings will change quite a bit.

The May 2020 Core Update is more likely to be unpredictable since it’s the first update during the pandemic.

May 2020 Core Update: The First Core Update Since COVID-19

The first core update of 2020 was launched in the second week of January.

It was at the time when COVID-19 wasn’t declared a pandemic yet. Since then, the world has changed rapidly following the pandemic announcement, which triggered significant shifts in the search behavior of users.

Google said yesterday that search queries have only been focused on one topic, which is, unsurprisingly, COVID-19.

Google Search Liaison 4

Hence, this pandemic has shifted what the users want to see in the Google search results. This includes looking for businesses offering remote services, where to buy much-needed products online, and information about the virus itself.

A lot of things are gaining relevancy now that weren’t as relevant to users before.

Meanwhile, the things that were extremely relevant before aren’t now being searched for as much, including live entertainment, travel, in-person events, and tourism, to name a few.

Because of this, Google is now faced with the unique challenge of keeping up with the change in search queries worldwide, resulting in the May 2020 Google algorithm update.

It is going to take time to see if people are finding it simpler to get the information they need through Google Search.

Is it beneficial to the SEO Job Market?

The May 2020 Core Update could be a great advantage for SEO if it ends up being powerful as it has the possibility to be.

The downside of the pandemic is the economic downturn, pushing companies to reduce their labor force as well as clients pausing services.

Whenever a core algorithm update occurs, SEO services are highly valuable to get. This is because the more unpredictable the update is, the more needed SEO services are.

Hence, with this update newly rolled out, SEOs may find their services in demand.

Most companies will be more likely to invest now in SEO services following the May 2020 Core Update.

What to do in light of the May 2020 Core Update?

There have been no changes in the guidance from Google about this update, as with all the core updates in the past.

Google has been consistent by saying that there’s no solution if rankings drop after such an update, but site admins can always make their content the best it can be.

In other words, just like every Google algorithm update in the past, making content as relevant as possible for a user’s specific query should be a priority.

This Is Why Local News About COVID-19 Appears More In Google

Local news publishers continue to struggle in monetising the spike in consumer interest. Danny Sullivan, the search liaison of Google, said on Monday that the search engine “has never seen as many searches” as it currently has for results related to COVID-19. Most of these are local news about COVID-19.

How Google defines local news. According to Sullivan, Google defines “local news content” as material produced by a publisher, such as newspapers, or those beyond the geographic area if relevant. He adds that Google “made a change to help local content surface better within our Top Stories box” to better surface high-demand local news content and added a new “Local news box” to show local content relating to coronavirus searches.

Google Search Liaison

Top Stories on Google’s coronavirus SERP

Corona Virus California

Non-AMP COVID content in Top Stories. When it comes to Top stories for COVID-19 queries, both the AMP and non-AMP stories will appear. Though, the AMP-content is still needed for non-coronavirus news to be included in Top Stories.

Sullivan is also appointed to Google’s Journalism Emergency Relief Fund, which is made to offer support to local news publishers worldwide. Since 2008, local newsrooms have cut 50% of their staff as per Pew Research Center. With the pandemic situation today, significant job cuts and furloughs, even closures, by local news publications.

Why we care. During such public health crisis, local news and a trusted communication channel is crucial. But due to the blockage of ads from appearing in addition to the virus-related articles and/or advertisers pausing campaigns, local publishers referred to the coronavirus as an extinction-level event”.

There are some challenges that are brought by this crisis, specifically the ones that local publishers are facing. This includes monetising latest traffic since many advertisers are resting due to brand safety. Brand safety technologies and content exclusions usually lack the nuance to be able to determine article tone and result in content blockage, such as positive content that refer to the virus. This is a disadvantage for publishers and an opportunity for advertisers.

Now, local publications are supported by the government as well as private companies, such as Google, to help them produce continuous local news and avoid having “local news deserts”. Though, the prognosis isn’t great, unfortunately, without advertisers’ commitment.

Details mentioned in this SEO services UK related blog came from https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-confirms-may-2020-core-algorithm-update-rolling-out-today/365974/ and   https://searchengineland.com/google-surfacing-more-local-covid-news-content-to-satisfy-massive-search-demand-334117. Visit these links for the full articles.

If you want your business to strive in the online market, then getting quality SEO services is the most important thing to do. Don’t worry because here at Position1SEO, we will provide you with the best services that can help you escalate your search rankings and more. Go over our homepage to know more.

may-2020-core-update
Author: Jason Ferry
Jason Ferry is an SEO specialist based in the United Kingdom. Taking pride in his many years of experience in the search engine optimisation industry, he has honed his skills in various digital marketing processes. From keyword marketing, website auditing, and link building campaigns, to social media monitoring, he is well-versed in all of them. Jason Ferry’s excellent skills in SEO, combined with his vast experience, makes him one of the best professionals to work with in the industry today. Not only does he guarantee outstanding output for everyone he works with, but also values a deep relationship with them as well.

Related  Posts

seo audit report blog05
Understanding your SEO audit report is crucial for enhancing your website's performance and ensuring your online efforts yield fruitful results. An SEO audit provides insights into various aspects of your website, identifying areas that need improvement and facilitating a strategic approach to search engine optimisation. Becoming familiar with this report allows you to make informed […]
local seo for small business blog02
In today's digital age, local Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) has become a powerful tool for small businesses aiming to carve out their niche in competitive markets dominated by larger brands. By optimising for local search, small businesses can attract a local audience, build brand recognition, and ultimately drive foot traffic and sales. This blog delves […]
advanced seo specialist blog02
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, having a website is merely the first step towards establishing an online presence. To truly stand out and drive traffic to your site, you need to optimise it for search engines. This is where an advanced SEO specialist comes into play, leveraging their expertise to enhance your site's visibility and […]