Google confirms December 2020 core update

Google has confirmed a new core algorithm update that started rolling out on December 3, 2020. Google is calling this update the December 2020 Core Update.

The Google Search Liason Twitter handle announced the December 2020 Core update:

“Later today, we are releasing a broad core algorithm update, as we do several times per year. It is called the December 2020 Core Update.”

Updates are an integral part of the Google search algorithm and search experience, and these updates are not uncommon at all. In fact, Google releases search algorithm updates almost every day. Those updates are more minor and incremental in nature and don’t trigger massive changes in the search engine results pages.

However, some updates are more noticeable than others. If an update is big and requires special attention or actions from content marketers and webmasters, Google names those updates and make notices in advance.

The December 2020 Core update belongs to this second category. As a result, this update is expected to make bigger changes in the search engine results pages (SERPs). The effects and the exact impact will be measured over the next few weeks as the update rolls out completely.

What should webmasters do?

As mentioned by Google in the announcement Tweet, “Our guidance about such updates remains as we’ve covered before.” 

For further information, webmasters should read this blog post by Google. 

This post outlines what Google expects from webmasters in terms of quality. The primary focus is on content quality, expertise, and presentation.

Moreover, quality rater guidelines & E-A-T are also a part of the equation.

When will the December 2020 Core update go live?

As mentioned earlier in the article, Google started rolling the December 2020 Core update from December 03, 2020.

However, it is a big update and will take some time to roll out completely. Google expects that it may take one to two weeks.

In the meantime, if you start seeing any noticeable changes in traffic and search rankings, keep a close eye on that. Traffic may also increase or decrease because of the holiday season this month, so make sure to take that into account before making any assumptions.

We will keep you posted with more details as they surface.