The December 2024 core update is rolling out and is anticipated to finish within two weeks. This follows closely on the heels of a core update last month, which may lead to questions about the frequency of these updates. However, Google has multiple core systems that they continuously refine to improve search quality and user experience. Each core update targets different aspects of these systems, aiming to provide the most relevant, high-quality search results possible.

The rollout was complete as of December 18, 2024.

— Google Search Central (@googlesearchc) December 18, 2024

Core updates are significant adjustments to the ranking process, affecting how pages are evaluated and ranked. While websites may experience fluctuations in traffic and rankings, this does not necessarily indicate issues with site quality. Instead, it reflects changes to how Google’s algorithms understand and serve relevant content.

For webmasters and SEO professionals, it’s important to stay informed and understand the intent behind these updates. Google’s blog post explains in more detail how core systems are improved and why updates may roll out in quick succession. Adapting to these updates means focusing on creating high-quality, user-centered content and maintaining technical SEO best practices. By doing so, you can ensure your site continues to perform well despite algorithm changes.