Seo

Google's May 2023 core update — I would not rewrite history, but I would not ignore patterns

Lessons from the May 2023 core update for site owners deciding what to fix after volatility.

Start Here

TL;DR

  • You should compare your URLs before and after a core update instead of chasing recap posts.
  • Updates usually reward sites that look maintained on money topics, so I would fix those first.
  • If only thin content moved, you already knew the diagnosis.

In This Briefing

Reading format

TL;DR first, then details

Editorial process

AI-assisted draft, reviewed before publish

Time Cost

1 min read

Google's May 2023 core update — I would not rewrite history, but I would not ignore patterns - seo guide from Tech Revenue Brief

I would not relive Google's May 2023 core update like SEO archaeology. Core updates redistribute trust. The lesson is familiar: sites with clear expertise and useful pages tend to survive better than sites with scale and slop.

What to check after any core update

Which sections gained or lost: blog, product, local, tools.

Template changes across losers.

Overlap with thin or outdated content.

May 2023 reminders

Helpful content messaging was loud then.

Sites that looked mass-produced struggled.

Strong brands and clear service pages held better.

Your action list today

Refresh top losers with real proof.

Merge overlapping posts.

Improve internal links to money pages.

Stop publishing until fixes ship if you are bleeding.

Core updates are Google regrading the class. You pass by making pages you'd show a paying customer, not by tweeting about the update.

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