On June 2, 2021, Google started rolling out its June 2021 core update, which is expected to continue until mid-June. Google also plans on delivering a second core update in July 2021, but have provided little details on that update.
Aside from Google’s two core updates in June and July, the search engine giant is also expected to roll out a page experience update in mid-June, which will include a new ranking algorithm designed to judge web pages based on how users perceive the experience when interacting with the web page.
Core Update Responses – SEMrush
According to the SEMrush, the top 5 industries that saw extreme volatility at the beginning of the June update rollout are:
- Health
- Autos
- Pets & Animals
- Science
- Travel
To determine who is affected by the updates, SEMrush utilizes their sensor tracking tool, which follows search results with a fixed selection of keywords on a daily basis and measures how much has changed at the end of the day. A “high” or “very high” score means that your website has a higher chance of moving significantly higher or lower in SERP rankings; on the other hand, a low score means your rankings are unusually stable. As of June 10, 2021, categories with a high score (5/10 or higher) are:
- Arts & Entertainment (6.5)
- Beauty & Fitness (5.0)
- Business & Industrial (5.0)
- Games (6.5)
- Internet & Telecom (5.7)
- Jobs & Education (5.2)
- News (8.5)
- Online Communities (5.7)
- Sports (6.8)
- Shopping (5.4)
It’s very likely that these numbers will change as the June update continues to roll out. You can track your industry’s progress with the sensor tracking tool.
Core Update Responses – Searchmetrics
According to the SEO tool Searchmetrics, one of the biggest targets from the June 2021 Core Update was in the travel industry. To be specific, airport websites have had numerous reports of random webpages being added and deleted on airport sites and directories.
Core Update Responses – Sistrix
Some SEO sources have reported significant movement in Google SERPs in the few weeks before the June 2 Google core update rollout. According to Sistrix, saw a lost of significant visibility with the travel, finance, and news industries.
Was Your Site Impacted By The Update?
Don’t see your industry on any of the above hit lists, but are still seeing a drop in your traffic this month? It’s very likely that your site is experiencing some effects from the core updates. Google has provided some tips on how to work around core updates to benefit your site.