John Mueller from Google addressed a query regarding the status of the March Core Update and whether it’s advisable to commence corrective actions in response to the update.

Reddit Query: Seeking Clarity on Core Update Completion

The individual inquiring wished to ascertain the conclusion of the core update due to a substantial 60% decrease in traffic. They refrained from altering their blogs during the update, hoping to rectify ranking issues afterward. Expressing determination to regain lost traffic, they sought advice, noting that their pages and purchased backlinks suffered the most significant impact.
The guidance received regarding refraining from significant alterations until after an update concludes is generally sound advice, yet exceptions may exist.

March 2024 Core Algorithm Update: Ongoing Evolution

Core algorithm updates encompass a broad spectrum of alterations across various search algorithms, including the fundamental ranking system within Google’s core algorithm. This ranking mechanism incorporates multiple components, such as understanding search intent, relevance, quality assessment, and page experience, alongside spam detection systems like RankBrain. The complexity of the March 2024 Core Update may account for its prolonged duration.
John Mueller affirmed that the March Core Update is still underway, stating:
“No, it’s not concluded yet. The update will be deemed complete once the rollout is finished.”

Should You Wait Until the Update Concludes?

Mueller responds to the query concerning whether to delay site improvements until after the update is completed.
He advises:
“Regardless, if you have noticed things worth improving on your site, I’d get things done. The idea is not to make changes just for search engines. Your users will be happy if you can improve things even if search engines haven’t updated their view of your site yet.”
Mueller’s insight highlights the importance of promptly addressing site deficiencies, focusing on enhancing user experience rather than solely catering to search engines.
Drawing from extensive experience in search marketing spanning 25 years, it’s noted that rankings often fluctuate throughout an algorithm update. Rushing to “fix” issues before the update concludes may risk altering aspects that are not problematic.
However, in specific cases like the one mentioned, where issues such as paid links are a probable cause for ranking decline, following Mueller’s advice to address these concerns promptly is warranted. Yet, waiting might be prudent for scenarios where aggressive link-building tactics aren’t a factor.
Google’s documentation acknowledges this update’s complexity, suggesting that rankings fluctuations may persist during the rollout, but sites that experienced a decline could potentially regain their positions.
From Google’s March Core Update documentation:
“As this is a complex update, the rollout may take up to a month. There will likely be more fluctuations in rankings than with a regular core update, as different systems get fully updated and reinforce each other.”

Prioritizing User-Centric Optimization

Mueller emphasizes the importance of optimizing websites for people rather than solely for search engines. He underscores the significance of enhancing the user experience to attract and retain visitors.
He further elaborates:
“Also, while I don’t know your site, one thing you can do, regardless of anything, is to work out how you can grow alternate sources of traffic so that when search engines revamp their opinion of your site, you’ll have less strong fluctuations (make things more independent of search engines).
And once you go down this path, you’ll probably also notice that you focus more on building value for users (because you want them to come, visit, and recommend on their own)—which is ultimately what search engines want too.
Mueller’s advice holds significant merit as optimizing for user experience aligns with Google’s ranking criteria. This approach, often termed User Experience SEO, involves anticipating how content impacts user satisfaction. Adhering to these principles can preemptively address updates like Google’s Reviews Update, ensuring readiness and resilience.
Optimizing for people transcends slogans like “make your site awesome” or “content is king.” It constitutes a strategic website creation and optimization approach that yields robust ranking potential.
The recent U.S. government antitrust lawsuit against Google highlights the importance of user interaction signals, such as those tracked by Navboost. Google’s responsiveness to such signals underscores the value of crafting websites that foster positive user responses.

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