Perhaps the SEO community have been bad kids and this is Google\u2019s equivalent of coal? Who knows, but what\u2019s done is done. The final updates of the year have finished rolling out, and we finally have enough information to go on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What happened in December 2024?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBarely a week after wrapping up the November core update, Google began rolling out a new one on December 12. SEO tools worldwide started sounding the alarm once more as the site rankings resumed hopping up and down – as if they\u2019d never stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Google confirmed this was indeed a new core update and explained that they have multiple core systems. Safe to assume we can expect more of these consecutive Googlequakes in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The December 2024 core update finished rolling out on December 18, and the SEO community breathed a sigh of relief\u2026 too soon: Google immediately struck again! The very next day, December 19, they launched a spam update that was complete one week later. This new update made quite a lot of waves too, as many sites which had benefitted from the core update suddenly lost all their rankings they\u2019d gained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What a month it was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tl;dr:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- 12\/12-12\/18:<\/strong> Google December 2024 core update.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 12\/19-12\/26<\/strong>: Google December 2024 spam update.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Was I hit by either of these updates?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nChances are, you were. Maybe you got unlucky and lost rankings, maybe you got lucky and went up in rankings instead. Or maybe you were not affected at all, which I\u2019d also consider a lucky outcome. The only way to tell is to check your site rankings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Run a scan with WebCEO\u2019s My Site Rankings tool<\/a> and get the most recent data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/site.wstatic.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/google-core-update-dec-2024-check-site-rankings-1200x735.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you notice any strange fluctuations after either of the two dates (12\/12 and 12\/19), it\u2019s very likely thanks to one or both of Google\u2019s updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And you should probably take measures to regain what you\u2019ve lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What to do after the updates?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf your site got hit, it doesn\u2019t automatically mean you\u2019ve messed up somewhere. Though it does call for some introspection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the next step after checking your keyword rankings?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>1. Check what keywords you are using.<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhy would you lose rankings after a big update? Perhaps Google\u2019s algorithm decided your content doesn\u2019t quite match what the users are looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in that case, the first suspect you should check are your ranking keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s the recipe for a good keyword that helps your website rank:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Matches the user search intent.<\/strong> Not only it helps you attract the right users, it also prevents unnecessary competition with sites that are not after your target audience. For example, there\u2019s a very clear difference between order a cake<\/em> and buy a cake<\/em>, even though there\u2019s a strong similarity too.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mid- or long-tail.<\/strong> The keyword examples above can be considered short-tail keywords because they are short (duh). Longer keywords like order a Napoleon cake<\/em> are more detailed, which makes them more effective at capturing users with a strong search intent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Clearly understandable.<\/strong> Here\u2019s an example of a keyword that isn\u2019t: buy cat toys<\/em>. Does it refer to toys for cats or cat-shaped toys? This vagueness will attract the wrong audience who will bounce off your site, causing your rankings to drop.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Used in search often.<\/strong> The more people use a keyword in Google, the more users you can attract to your site, even if it\u2019s just 1% of the total. Look up a keyword\u2019s number of monthly searches in WebCEO\u2019s Keyword Suggestions tool<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Not too competitive.<\/strong> When many other sites are using the same keyword, it will be very hard to outrank them all. Try using keywords that aren\u2019t used by other sites as often. You can find them by checking the Global KEI metric in the Keyword Suggestions tool<\/a>: a high number means a high search volume for a low level of competition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"Find](\"https:\/\/site.wstatic.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/seo-for-web-designers-keyword-research-1200x748.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>2. Fix your technical issues.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNext, you want to make sure your site works like a well-oiled machine. Because if it isn\u2019t, that\u2019s reason enough to derank any website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Run these tests and fix any issues that turn up:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Site errors:<\/strong> you can find them with WebCEO\u2019s Technical Audit tool<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Loading speed:<\/strong> Speed Optimization tool (Desktop tab)<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mobile friendliness:<\/strong> Speed Optimization tool (Mobile tab)<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- User accessibility:<\/strong> you can use a free tool like Accessibility Checker<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>3. Get rid of toxic backlinks.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nLinks from low-quality websites are a very common cause of losing rankings. If your backlink donors got hit by the Google updates, it stands to reason that it would affect you as well: you suddenly got a whole bunch of backlinks that Google doesn\u2019t consider up to standard!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, those sites might yet recover from the updates, so don\u2019t be in a hurry to take down their backlinks. Give them a few weeks, and if your situation doesn\u2019t get better, then you have your reason to start cleaning up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Was I hit by either of these updates?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nChances are, you were. Maybe you got unlucky and lost rankings, maybe you got lucky and went up in rankings instead. Or maybe you were not affected at all, which I\u2019d also consider a lucky outcome. The only way to tell is to check your site rankings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Run a scan with WebCEO\u2019s My Site Rankings tool<\/a> and get the most recent data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you notice any strange fluctuations after either of the two dates (12\/12 and 12\/19), it\u2019s very likely thanks to one or both of Google\u2019s updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And you should probably take measures to regain what you\u2019ve lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What to do after the updates?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf your site got hit, it doesn\u2019t automatically mean you\u2019ve messed up somewhere. Though it does call for some introspection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the next step after checking your keyword rankings?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>1. Check what keywords you are using.<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhy would you lose rankings after a big update? Perhaps Google\u2019s algorithm decided your content doesn\u2019t quite match what the users are looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in that case, the first suspect you should check are your ranking keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s the recipe for a good keyword that helps your website rank:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Matches the user search intent.<\/strong> Not only it helps you attract the right users, it also prevents unnecessary competition with sites that are not after your target audience. For example, there\u2019s a very clear difference between order a cake<\/em> and buy a cake<\/em>, even though there\u2019s a strong similarity too.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mid- or long-tail.<\/strong> The keyword examples above can be considered short-tail keywords because they are short (duh). Longer keywords like order a Napoleon cake<\/em> are more detailed, which makes them more effective at capturing users with a strong search intent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Clearly understandable.<\/strong> Here\u2019s an example of a keyword that isn\u2019t: buy cat toys<\/em>. Does it refer to toys for cats or cat-shaped toys? This vagueness will attract the wrong audience who will bounce off your site, causing your rankings to drop.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Used in search often.<\/strong> The more people use a keyword in Google, the more users you can attract to your site, even if it\u2019s just 1% of the total. Look up a keyword\u2019s number of monthly searches in WebCEO\u2019s Keyword Suggestions tool<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Not too competitive.<\/strong> When many other sites are using the same keyword, it will be very hard to outrank them all. Try using keywords that aren\u2019t used by other sites as often. You can find them by checking the Global KEI metric in the Keyword Suggestions tool<\/a>: a high number means a high search volume for a low level of competition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>2. Fix your technical issues.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNext, you want to make sure your site works like a well-oiled machine. Because if it isn\u2019t, that\u2019s reason enough to derank any website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Run these tests and fix any issues that turn up:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Site errors:<\/strong> you can find them with WebCEO\u2019s Technical Audit tool<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Loading speed:<\/strong> Speed Optimization tool (Desktop tab)<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mobile friendliness:<\/strong> Speed Optimization tool (Mobile tab)<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- User accessibility:<\/strong> you can use a free tool like Accessibility Checker<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>3. Get rid of toxic backlinks.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nLinks from low-quality websites are a very common cause of losing rankings. If your backlink donors got hit by the Google updates, it stands to reason that it would affect you as well: you suddenly got a whole bunch of backlinks that Google doesn\u2019t consider up to standard!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, those sites might yet recover from the updates, so don\u2019t be in a hurry to take down their backlinks. Give them a few weeks, and if your situation doesn\u2019t get better, then you have your reason to start cleaning up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you notice any strange fluctuations after either of the two dates (12\/12 and 12\/19), it\u2019s very likely thanks to one or both of Google\u2019s updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And you should probably take measures to regain what you\u2019ve lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What to do after the updates?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIf your site got hit, it doesn\u2019t automatically mean you\u2019ve messed up somewhere. Though it does call for some introspection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the next step after checking your keyword rankings?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>1. Check what keywords you are using.<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhy would you lose rankings after a big update? Perhaps Google\u2019s algorithm decided your content doesn\u2019t quite match what the users are looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in that case, the first suspect you should check are your ranking keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s the recipe for a good keyword that helps your website rank:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Matches the user search intent.<\/strong> Not only it helps you attract the right users, it also prevents unnecessary competition with sites that are not after your target audience. For example, there\u2019s a very clear difference between order a cake<\/em> and buy a cake<\/em>, even though there\u2019s a strong similarity too.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mid- or long-tail.<\/strong> The keyword examples above can be considered short-tail keywords because they are short (duh). Longer keywords like order a Napoleon cake<\/em> are more detailed, which makes them more effective at capturing users with a strong search intent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Clearly understandable.<\/strong> Here\u2019s an example of a keyword that isn\u2019t: buy cat toys<\/em>. Does it refer to toys for cats or cat-shaped toys? This vagueness will attract the wrong audience who will bounce off your site, causing your rankings to drop.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Used in search often.<\/strong> The more people use a keyword in Google, the more users you can attract to your site, even if it\u2019s just 1% of the total. Look up a keyword\u2019s number of monthly searches in WebCEO\u2019s Keyword Suggestions tool<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Not too competitive.<\/strong> When many other sites are using the same keyword, it will be very hard to outrank them all. Try using keywords that aren\u2019t used by other sites as often. You can find them by checking the Global KEI metric in the Keyword Suggestions tool<\/a>: a high number means a high search volume for a low level of competition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>2. Fix your technical issues.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNext, you want to make sure your site works like a well-oiled machine. Because if it isn\u2019t, that\u2019s reason enough to derank any website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Run these tests and fix any issues that turn up:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Site errors:<\/strong> you can find them with WebCEO\u2019s Technical Audit tool<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Loading speed:<\/strong> Speed Optimization tool (Desktop tab)<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mobile friendliness:<\/strong> Speed Optimization tool (Mobile tab)<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- User accessibility:<\/strong> you can use a free tool like Accessibility Checker<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>3. Get rid of toxic backlinks.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nLinks from low-quality websites are a very common cause of losing rankings. If your backlink donors got hit by the Google updates, it stands to reason that it would affect you as well: you suddenly got a whole bunch of backlinks that Google doesn\u2019t consider up to standard!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, those sites might yet recover from the updates, so don\u2019t be in a hurry to take down their backlinks. Give them a few weeks, and if your situation doesn\u2019t get better, then you have your reason to start cleaning up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why would you lose rankings after a big update? Perhaps Google\u2019s algorithm decided your content doesn\u2019t quite match what the users are looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in that case, the first suspect you should check are your ranking keywords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s the recipe for a good keyword that helps your website rank:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Matches the user search intent.<\/strong> Not only it helps you attract the right users, it also prevents unnecessary competition with sites that are not after your target audience. For example, there\u2019s a very clear difference between order a cake<\/em> and buy a cake<\/em>, even though there\u2019s a strong similarity too.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mid- or long-tail.<\/strong> The keyword examples above can be considered short-tail keywords because they are short (duh). Longer keywords like order a Napoleon cake<\/em> are more detailed, which makes them more effective at capturing users with a strong search intent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Clearly understandable.<\/strong> Here\u2019s an example of a keyword that isn\u2019t: buy cat toys<\/em>. Does it refer to toys for cats or cat-shaped toys? This vagueness will attract the wrong audience who will bounce off your site, causing your rankings to drop.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Used in search often.<\/strong> The more people use a keyword in Google, the more users you can attract to your site, even if it\u2019s just 1% of the total. Look up a keyword\u2019s number of monthly searches in WebCEO\u2019s Keyword Suggestions tool<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Not too competitive.<\/strong> When many other sites are using the same keyword, it will be very hard to outrank them all. Try using keywords that aren\u2019t used by other sites as often. You can find them by checking the Global KEI metric in the Keyword Suggestions tool<\/a>: a high number means a high search volume for a low level of competition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>2. Fix your technical issues.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Next, you want to make sure your site works like a well-oiled machine. Because if it isn\u2019t, that\u2019s reason enough to derank any website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Run these tests and fix any issues that turn up:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Site errors:<\/strong> you can find them with WebCEO\u2019s Technical Audit tool<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Loading speed:<\/strong> Speed Optimization tool (Desktop tab)<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mobile friendliness:<\/strong> Speed Optimization tool (Mobile tab)<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- User accessibility:<\/strong> you can use a free tool like Accessibility Checker<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>3. Get rid of toxic backlinks.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Links from low-quality websites are a very common cause of losing rankings. If your backlink donors got hit by the Google updates, it stands to reason that it would affect you as well: you suddenly got a whole bunch of backlinks that Google doesn\u2019t consider up to standard!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, those sites might yet recover from the updates, so don\u2019t be in a hurry to take down their backlinks. Give them a few weeks, and if your situation doesn\u2019t get better, then you have your reason to start cleaning up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Loading speed:<\/strong> Speed Optimization tool (Desktop tab)<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mid- or long-tail.<\/strong> The keyword examples above can be considered short-tail keywords because they are short (duh). Longer keywords like order a Napoleon cake<\/em> are more detailed, which makes them more effective at capturing users with a strong search intent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
![\"Do](\"https:\/\/site.wstatic.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/seo-for-freelancers-toxic-backlinks-1-1200x710.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n