Google's November Core Update: Status and Impact

This week, Google rolled out its November core update, prompting website owners to check their search rankings. Before rushing to make changes, here's something important: algorithm updates often benefit websites with solid SEO practices. Let's look at what's happening and how to monitor your site's performance.

Learning From Past Updates

Google releases several core updates each year, the last one finishing rolling out in October 2024. Our analysis of previous updates shows a consistent pattern: websites typically see ranking fluctuations for 2-3 weeks, with positions stabilising by week 4. During the March 2024 update, for example, 68% of tracked business websites saw temporary ranking changes, but only 23% experienced permanent shifts.

Google's official guidance remains consistent: "Core updates are designed to increase the overall relevancy of our search results." They emphasise that drops in rankings don't necessarily mean anything is wrong with your pages. Instead, these updates often reward previously under-recognised pages that offer high-quality content and robust user experience. Learn more about how Google algorithm changes affect small businesses.

Current Status

This core update affects search rankings worldwide and takes about two weeks to roll out fully. While some websites worry about potential drops, others see improvements. Sites with consistent SEO management often gain better positions during these updates. During the March 2024 update, one Milton Keynes client moved from page three to page one for several keyword phrases after months of steady content improvements and customer review management.

Initial Impact Patterns

Early signs of the update appear across different types of search results. We're seeing local business listings shift positions—for example, searches for "plumber near me" now emphasise recent customer reviews. Service businesses are seeing wider geographic reach in their local results, while retail searches show more variety in the shopping carousel results.

These changes suggest Google is refining its understanding of local search intent and business relevance. Some websites are appearing for a broader range of searches related to their services, indicating potential opportunities for well-optimised content.

Remember - changes during the rollout period don't always reflect final positions.

Don't Panic: This Is Normal

Core updates typically cause temporary fluctuations in rankings. Your daily traffic numbers might vary, and you'll likely see search positions move up and down. Some days, different pages on your site might swap positions in search results. This is all part of Google's process. Learn more about building website trust through Google's E-E-A-T standards.

Many well-managed websites emerge stronger after updates settle. Good SEO practices tend to pay off during these algorithm changes.

Priority Actions

Keep an eye on these critical measurements during the update:

Essential Checks:

• Your enquiry and sales numbers
• Where you appear in local searches
• Rankings for terms that bring in business

Worth Watching:

• How people use your website
• Any differences between mobile and desktop results
• Whether you're keeping featured snippets

Don't rush into making website changes whilst the update settles.

Tracking Changes

A clear tracking plan helps spot actual trends. Monitor your daily visitor numbers and how long people stay on your site. Watch your enquiry levels and note any significant changes. Most importantly, note what you see - patterns often emerge after a few weeks. Read more about crucial SEO measurements to track in Google Analytics 4.

Next Steps

During this update period, maintain a steady course. Check your key performance metrics regularly and document any significant changes. Keep a close eye on your most important pages and local search performance. Most importantly, continue monitoring how customers engage with your website.

Long-term Strategy

Success during updates comes from consistent, good practices. Keep your business information accurate and current. Create content that genuinely helps your customers. Maintain your website's technical health and respond promptly to customer feedback. Regular service updates and fresh content help show Google your site remains active and valuable.

Well-maintained websites often benefit from Google's updates. Rather than fearing these changes, view them as opportunities for websites that follow good SEO practices.

Using the KickstartSEO Portal

Optimiser Essentials subscribers can see these algorithm changes directly in the KickstartSEO Portal. Our tracking system shows precise data about the update's effects:

This visualisation shows when updates affect your rankings and how positions shift over time. It helps pinpoint which keywords see the most impact and where to focus your improvements once things stabilise.

Support Options

Choosing the right approach to managing updates depends on your business needs:

DIY Monitoring

Optimiser Essentials works best for businesses that:

• Have time to learn SEO fundamentals
• Want to understand their search performance
• Prefer hands-on website management
• Need professional tools without high costs

Our portal provides the same tracking tools used by SEO professionals, with clear guidance on how to use them effectively.

Managed Service

Consider Optimiser Plus if your business:

• Operates in highly competitive markets
• Needs to focus time on core operations
• Requires detailed performance analysis
• Wants proactive SEO management

Rather than just monitoring changes, we actively adjust your strategy based on update impacts.

KickstartSEO has tracked Google algorithm changes since 2008, helping small businesses understand updates through practical data analysis. We watch over 850 UK business websites, spotting actual patterns in search performance.

Need help understanding how this update affects your website? Get a free SEO audit to understand your current position clearly.