Google has confirmed that the May 2022 core update is complete. The update took 9 days to roll out, becoming active on May 25, 2022, and ending on June 9, 2022.
Just this morning at 3:44 pm after the Eastern time delay, Google announced on Twitter that the update is complete:
May 2022 core update. As a reminder, the May 2022 major update will be fully implemented at 11:30 AM after the Eastern time delay on May 25, 2022. This update took 9 days to roll out after it was announced and ended on June 9, 2022.
Based on data, this update has caused significant changes and fluctuations in search rankings. While some initial “shakes” or volatility occurred after the update on June 5th, the most significant shocks are likely over.
Learn more about the May 2022 Core Update.
Compared to the November 2021 core update, the May 2022 update appears to be more significant. While the timing of this update during the busy online shopping season may not have been ideal for retailers, it is meant to provide a better user experience.
On Twitter, you can find examples of how SEOs are reacting to this update through ranking charts and community discussions.
What to do if you are hit?
What should you do if your site is negatively impacted by the update? Google has recommended considering a few questions to understand if anything needs to be addressed on your site. Check your traffic dynamic and number of pages in index. While there are no specific steps to recover, you may not see immediate changes until the next core update.
As always, Google’s search engine ranking methods may change, so it’s important to regularly assess and improve your site’s performance.
Google released the May 2022 core update on May 25, and it’s now complete. Take this opportunity to analyze your site’s performance and make improvements for the future.