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Google today announced the release of its December 2024 core update. This latest update comes right after the November 2024 core update, which completed just a week ago, on 5 Dec.
In the announcement on X, Google explained that updates can come in quick succession as they are always working on different core systems.
“The Dec. 2024 core update is rolling out, and we expect it will complete in two weeks. If you're wondering why there's a core update this month after one last month, we have different core systems we're always improving.”
Google linked to their general Q&A on Search updates from November 2023, for further information.
The post refers to a similar situation last year, when core updates happened in October and November.
“Why another so soon after the October 2023 core update? We have different systems that are considered core to our ranking process; this month's core update involves an improvement to a different core system than last month. However, our guidance about core updates is the same for both.“
The post also says Google tries to avoid updates in the holiday shopping season, but that this isn't always possible.
“We do try to avoid having updates during the late-November to mid-December period when possible. But it's not always possible. If we have updates that can improve Search, that have been developed over the course of several months, we release them when they're ready.”
Google’s guidance to siteowners on core updates can be found in its post on Search Central.
** Update 19 Dec: Google announced on 18 Dec that the rollout had completed.
