Google Algorithm Update May 2021
Google Algorithm Update May 2021
After getting everyone primed for a big User Experience update in May, Google decided to hold off a little longer. That does not mean that there was not plenty of other SEO news in May 2021. The month started with an algorithm update, and it kept moving forward.
Product Review Update
While Google initially rolled out its Product Review Update on April 3, many webmasters saw further changes in their rankings from April 30 to May 2. This appears to be a tweaking of the original update. This English-only update impacted single-review sites and roundup review sites. If your site was brutally hit, review each page on your website to ensure that it offers expert advice. Compare the product with past models and help website users understand what sets it apart from the product’s competitors.
Another Google My Business Keyword Stuffing Warning
John Mueller once again warned against keyword stuffing. The results are clear that using keywords in your company name improves its rankings in Google My Business. If you have been tempted to add keywords to your business name, you will receive a penalty from Google about 40% of the time. You may receive a soft suspension where you can no longer make changes to your listing or a hard suspension where your listing is removed. Soft suspensions rarely affect rankings.
What Does Google Expect to see Above the Fold?
An interesting discussion this month is what Google expects to see when they are looking at your site without having to scroll. John Mueller says that Google wants to see some content above the fold. He uses the example of a hotel that displays a photo of their property or an award they have won and a little bit of information above the fold. It is no longer necessary to try to force your keywords into this area. Additionally, Google’s John Muir says that you can have as many H1 tags as you want on a webpage. Your headers, including h2, h3 and so on, should indicate the page’s content.
Core Web Values
Throughout May, there has been a lot of chatter about Core Web Values. While the big Page User Update has been pushed back to at least mid-June, improving your Core Web Values can help your site rank better today. These vitals focus on loading, interactivity, and visual stability as measured by loading content paint, first input delay and cumulative input shift.
If you need help preparing for the Page User Update, contact us. Those who move early are likely to see positive changes now, along with more changes once the algorithm is released in mid-June.
