As you probably know, Google typically makes numerous tweaks to its search algorithm throughout the year, but only makes major core updates a few times/year. Google recently made the “December 2020 core update,” and it’s the first one was the May 2020 core update. So this update took seven months to roll out and is probably more substantive as a result.

Google recently issued a statement that “the December 2020 Core Update is now rolling out live. As is typical with these updates, it will take about one to two weeks to fully roll out.”

What to do if your organic search rankings take a hit by the December 2020 core update. Needless to say, these core updates affect the ranking so some sites positively, and others negatively. If your website gets “hit” negatively by this core update, Google advises that there really are no specific actions to take to recover. Google goes on to explain that a decline in organic search rankings may not signal that there is anything wrong with your pages. You are not probably not being penalized; your content just doesn’t meet the requirements of the updated algorithm. Google has published a page with recommendations for recovering from a drop in rankings following a core update. It’s a timeless piece and well worth the read.

Keep in mind that Google is determined to send its visitors to web pages with the most useful and informative content related to their visitor’s search string.  A drop in rankings (core-update related or otherwise) is an indication that your competition has strengthened their content and you need to do the same.