Google Releases October 2023 Core Algorithm Update (Confirmed)

Key points

• Google launches October 2023 Core Update
• Google will update ranking release page when update is finished
• The update will take around two weeks to complete
• This is the third broad core update of 2023
• Webmasters are advised to wait until the roll out is complete before making changes
• Expect ranking fluctuations over the coming weeks
• Patience is essential during this time.

As always, the news came from the Google Search Central Twitter account:

Today we released the October 2023 core update. We'll update our ranking release history page when the rollout is complete: https://t.co/pooeFs6tEC

— Google Search Central (@googlesearchc) October 5, 2023

Understanding the Functioning of Broad Core Updates

Core updates usually happen 3-5 times a year. We had a counter leading up to August's core update that showed a median time of ~150 days between updates over the past two years.

Core updates underpin Google’s ongoing efforts to ensure that users are presented with helpful and reliable results that provide the best possible search experience.

Here are some important things to keep in mind regarding the core update of October 2023.

• Pages are ranked based on their merit, causing them to move up or down in search results. 
• Pages that experience a decrease in traffic after a core update have not violated any policies. 
• These updates are universal and do not target specific niches or sites. 
• The changes that occur during the October 2023 Core Update are not a result of any manual actions. 
• The purpose of all core updates is to enhance the quality of search results for users. 
• Pages that were previously undervalued may see significant improvements.

If you have been impacted by the October 2023 core update, here are some suggested steps you can take.

Websites may mistakenly assume a "fix" is needed when core algorithm updates affect their ranking and search visibility, but this is not always the case. Points to remember about Google’s core algorithm updates

Some important things to keep in mind regarding Google's core algorithm updates.

• Websites experiencing a drop in traffic or visibility may need to alter their content strategy.
• When reviewing content, it is recommended to consult Google's self-assessment documentation.
• Audit your website for performance issues and analyze correlations with high-performing websites in SERPs.

Also Read: How Does Social Media Algorithms Work?

• Pages that outperform your website may be due to their greater expertise or experience on the topic, such as E-A-T.
• Pages that are affected by changes resulting from a core update may require waiting for future core updates to see the full benefits of these improvements.

It can be challenging to assess your work. It's recommended to have a third party compare your content with competitors to identify areas for improvement.

Looking Ahead

SEO is an ongoing effort, as Google rolls out its latest core update. Staying competitive requires patience and continuous improvement, even when ranking fluctuations occur due to core updates.

We should anticipate significant modifications to the SERP results during this period, so for now, we must wait. The Semrush sensor (as well as other third-party tools) is a good way to gauge volatility during this time.