Launched in January 2020, this was the first of Google’s core algorithm updates for the year. As with previous core updates, it was a broad change to Google’s core ranking algorithm, designed to improve the overall quality of search results.
Fallouts and Highlights from the Update
The January 2020 Core Update caused significant ranking fluctuations across various industries, with some websites experiencing dramatic changes in their search visibility.
One notable impact was in the health and wellness sector. Several large health information websites reported substantial traffic drops, while others saw unexpected gains. For instance, a well-known medical news website reportedly lost over 25% of its organic traffic following the update.
The update sparked intense discussion in the SEO community about Google’s evolving interpretation of E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness), particularly for YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) pages. Many speculated that Google was further refining its ability to assess content quality and relevance.
Google’s Danny Sullivan confirmed the update on Twitter, reiterating the company’s standard advice that there’s no specific “fix” for sites negatively impacted by core updates. He emphasised that webmasters should focus on providing high-quality content.
The SEO community’s reaction was mixed, with many noting the increasing frequency and unpredictability of Google’s core updates. This led to discussions about the importance of continual site improvement and the limitations of reactive SEO strategies.
Strategy Evolution
The January 2020 Core Update necessitated several shifts in SEO strategy:
- Increased focus on demonstrating expertise and authority in content
- Greater emphasis on comprehensive, in-depth content that covers topics thoroughly
- More attention to user experience factors, including site speed and mobile-friendliness
- Development of strategies to improve overall site quality and trustworthiness
- Renewed importance of aligning content with user intent and search context
This update marked a continuation of Google’s push towards rewarding high-quality, user-focused content. It encouraged SEO professionals to take a more holistic view of site quality, considering factors beyond traditional on-page optimisation.
For many websites, this meant reassessing their content strategies. Instead of focusing solely on keyword optimisation, they needed to consider how well their content demonstrated expertise, answered user questions, and provided value.
The update also led to an increased emphasis on technical SEO as a component of overall site quality. Many professionals began to pay more attention to factors like site architecture, internal linking, and page experience metrics, recognising that these elements contribute to how Google assesses a site’s overall quality.
Overall, the January 2020 Core Update pushed the SEO industry towards more sophisticated, quality-focused practices. It underscored Google’s ongoing efforts to surface the most relevant, trustworthy content for users, and highlighted the importance of continual improvement and adaptation in SEO strategies.
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