It has been six months since Google announced a core update – but that doesn’t mean it’s time to get comfortable. On the contrary, in fact. The next few weeks are set to be busy for many website owners.
Why? Because on June 2, 2021, Google announced a core update aptly called ‘June 2021 Core Update’. This announcement was followed by another one saying that more ‘Core’ updates are to be expected this summer. The second one being – you guessed it – the ‘July 2021 Core Update’, which will be released later next month.
So what do you need to know about the June 2021 Core Update, and how will it affect your website? Read on to find out.
What is the June 2021 Core Update?
Okay, let’s go back to the basics. What on God’s green earth is a core update?
A core update is a significant change that Google makes to its ranking algorithm. Normally, they happen every two to three months, affecting loads of indexed web pages in the process.
Each core update tweaks the formula by which Google ranks web pages. That’s because they’re designed to improve the quality and relevance of the search results.
Why is there another core update in July?
This is the first time Google has split a core update over two dates. Crazy, huh? Not quite.
Core updates are a big job – after all, they’re responsible for how Google’s algorithm ranks web pages. In this case, Google had bitten off more than it could chew.
The June 2021 Core Update wasn’t ready in the timeframe Google had set. So what was the solution? Release what was finished and ready to go now, and the rest in July – giving the Google experts more time to complete the update.
Are there any more updates?
When it rains, it pours, right?
Google is also set to release the long-awaited ‘Page Experience’ update. It was initially scheduled for May 2021 but was pushed back to mid-June, with an expected completed date for the end of August.
How to prepare for all the Google updates
Focus on content
This onslaught of Google updates can make us forget the most important thing – your website’s content.
Many people get so caught up in the changes to Google’s algorithm that they let their content suffer. But good, valuable content will always be important.
Make your content clear and simple. Answer their questions. Write copy that speaks to your visitor’s fears, frustrations, needs, and desires.
Check for any User Experience (UX) issues
Google has made it pretty clear that the more user-friendly your website is, the higher it will rank. So here are a few things you can do to improve your website’s UX.
Improve your page speed
Minimize your HTTP requests – the more components you have on your page, the longer it takes to load.
Use asynchronous loading files. This is when elements of your page will load simultaneously with other elements – way, way faster than waiting for one thing at a time.
Resize your images. Large image files take forever to load. So make a few tweaks to their sizing, and watch that baby fly!
Optimize for mobile search
Reduce code on the back-end of your website
Leverage your browser caching
Reduce any redirects
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