Google Releases May 2022 Core Algorithm Update to Make Search Results More Relevant

Google has demonstrated its first broad core algorithm update 2022, called the ‘May 2022 core update.’ Over six months since the last core update, the search is rolling out today. This update is about making search results more relevant, helpful, and useful for users. Though Google is launching the update today, it will take around a week or longer to fully roll out.

Typically, Google makes tangible improvements to its overall ranking process many times in a year, which refers to core updates. The goal behind these updates is to enhance the overall relevance of search results and make them more valuable and impactful for users. So, it’s possible that this one will continue to roll out over the next few weeks.

Danny Sullivan, who is Google’s Public Liaison for Search, has indicated that changes to site performance in search results are to be expected.

“Core updates are changes we make to improve Search overall and keep pace with the changing nature of the web. While nothing in a core update is specific to any particular site, these updates may produce some noticeable changes to how sites perform…”  – Danny Sullivan

So, as an SEO service agency, we’re keeping an eye on website analytics to check if there are any changes in traffic or rankings!

When a core update rolls out, Google points to the same guidance it published in 2019. Since the search engine references the same document in regards to this update, nothing has changed there.

General advice by Google about these core updates is as follow:

• Noticeable effects: You can expect a largely observable impact like a decline or increase in search engine rankings.
• No Specific Target: Since core updates are ‘broad’ they can hardly target anything specific. Instead, they are more likely to improve Google’s systems overall.
• Reassessment of pages: Google is not penalizing those pages that drop in rankings. But, it is reassessing them against other web content that has been published since the last update.

How to Deal with Core Algorithm Update?

The best possible way to deal with the effect of a core algorithm update is to focus on providing the most qualitative content. It is worth knowing that broad core updates happen every few months. The website may not recover from one update until the next one rolls out. Improvements give no guarantee of recovery. Yet, deciding not to implement any improvements will almost guarantee no recovery.

Last Google Core Update

Six months have passed since the last time Google rolled out the core update in November 2021. On comparing the Google algorithm update May 2022 to the November 2021 core update, we find the May update was less volatile than the November update. Those web marketers who have been working effortlessly on their websites during that time may begin to see some major improvements to search rankings. On the contrary, those who have left their websites idle may start seeing themselves outranked by websites with more relevant and quality content.

Related: Google Helpful Content Update

The below chart from SEMRush Sensor Data compares Google core algorithm update 2022 to the November 2021 core update by vertical:

Previous Core Update

November 2021 was the most recent core update before May 2022 Google core update. Prior to that was July 2021 core update and before it was June 2021 core update.

Before 2021 was the December 2020 core update. This update was very big, in fact even bigger than May 2020 core update. It took weeks to fully roll out.

Final Words

Predicting anything on the impact of the May 2022 Core Algorithm Update on sites is too early. Also, this update will take a week or longer to fully roll out. During that time, website rankings will go up and down. You do not need to get disappointed and alarmed if you notice changes right away. When Google will announce when the update is finished rolling out, it will be the right time for starting to conduct your analysis.

Learn about easy methods to optimize your site for Page Experience Updates to rank higher and get more leads. Note that Google is appreciated for its best services and results. Google core update May 2022 means more quality websites and content. As a digital marketing agency, our core objective must be to let users have the best experience and we can do this by providing correct and accurate information.