Google’s November 2024 Core Update has rolled out leaving many website owners, including dental professionals, wondering how to adapt their online presence to align with the latest changes. While Google has not revealed detailed specifics about this update, we can glean insights from their history of core updates and overarching principles. Here’s what dental webmasters need to know and do to stay ahead in 2025.
Core updates are significant changes to Google’s search algorithms designed to enhance how search results are ranked. These updates aim to provide users with the most relevant and high-quality content, refining factors like relevance, content quality and user intent. For dental practices, this means ensuring your website aligns with Google’s expectations for experience, expertise, authority and trustworthiness (E-E-A-T).
To align with Google’s November 2024 update, begin by conducting a thorough audit of your website’s content. Ensure that your pages address the most common patient questions, from treatment options to aftercare instructions, while providing accurate and up-to-date information. Adding value to your content is crucial; include detailed descriptions of procedures, FAQs and advice that resonate with your audience.
Outdated content can negatively impact your rankings, so regularly refresh blogs and service pages with the latest industry insights and trends to keep your website relevant and trustworthy.
Your website’s Experience, Expertise, Authority and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) can make or break its success under Google’s latest algorithm. Highlight your team’s professional credentials, certifications and experience prominently on your site. Positive reviews from satisfied patients on platforms like Google can boost your authority and trustworthiness, so encourage patients to share their feedback.
When it comes to blog posts and educational content, ensure these are authored by experienced writers with accurate research, as this builds credibility with both users and search engines.
The user experience you offer can significantly influence your site’s rankings. A mobile-friendly, responsive design is essential as more users rely on smartphones to search for dental services. Make navigation seamless and intuitive to ensure patients can easily find the information they need. Speed also plays a critical role; optimise your website’s images and code to ensure pages load quickly, using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights for guidance.
Additionally, make your calls-to-action clear and visible, whether it’s a “Book an Appointment” button or a “Contact Us” link, guiding users toward taking action.
Local search optimisation is especially vital for dental practices. Start by ensuring your Google Business Profile is accurate and up-to-date, including contact details, operating hours and your practice’s address. Add photos of your clinic and use the profile to post regular updates. On your website, incorporate location-specific keywords like “dentist in [city]” naturally into your content.
Consistency is key, so verify that your practice information is uniform across all online directories and citation listings as discrepancies can harm your local SEO efforts.
Backlinks from reputable sources can strengthen your site’s authority and help it perform better in search rankings. Collaborate with local businesses or organisations to earn backlinks from their websites. Publishing guest posts on dental or health-related blogs is another excellent way to secure quality links.
Focus on creating high-quality, shareable content that naturally encourages other websites to link to your pages, whether it’s an insightful blog or an engaging infographic.
Regularly monitoring your website’s performance is crucial to understanding the impact of the algorithm update. Use tools like Google Analytics to track traffic changes, identify patterns and determine which pages or keywords are performing well. If you notice underperforming areas, refine them by updating the content, improving UX, or revisiting SEO strategies. Keeping an eye on these metrics ensures you can adapt quickly to maintain or improve your rankings.
Finally, staying updated on Google’s latest changes is essential for long-term success. Regularly check Google’s official blog and other reputable SEO resources to stay ahead of the curve. Engaging with SEO communities and forums can also provide valuable insights into how others are responding to the update, offering strategies you can adapt for your dental practice.
By focusing on these areas, dental webmasters can effectively respond to the November 2024 update, ensuring their websites remain visible, competitive and aligned with Google’s ever-evolving standards.
With increased competition in the dental industry, adapting swiftly to core updates ensures you stay visible to potential patients. By focusing on high-quality content, optimised user experience and robust local SEO practices, your dental website can maintain or even improve its rankings.
Google’s November 2024 Core Update underscores the importance of a patient-first approach. By prioritising relevance, quality and accessibility, your dental practice can align with Google’s vision and build lasting trust with both the algorithm and your patients.
At Dental Marketing Co. our in-house professionals working in SEO, web development and content creation make the process much easier for you. With regular monitoring and updates to have a smooth sailing experience, DMC is your answer for all things related to dental marketing. Contact us here.
Take proactive steps today to optimise your website for 2025—your online presence (and your patients) will thank you!