December 2024 Core Update is Rolling Out Now!

Introduction

Hey everyone! It’s that time again for the latest round of digital marketing news—much anticipated for some. There's a lot to cover, so let’s jump right in!

Google’s December 2024 Core Update

Google has announced the rollout of its December 2024 core update, which is expected to be substantial. This announcement follows an interview in which Google CEO stated that 2025 would bring profound changes to search, especially with the integration of AI technology. Despite these changes, he reassured that search would continue to drive significant traffic to websites.

Website Status Codes Matter

In another update, Google has raised concerns about errors on websites that could negatively impact their indexing. They issued a warning highlighting the importance of using appropriate status codes—many sites are showing incorrect codes like 404s, 403s, and 503s instead of 200 OK. Ensure that your pages are correctly indexed by double-checking your status codes and using the noindex tag cautiously, as misuse can keep your site from appearing in Google Search.

OpenAI’s Latest Model

OpenAI has released a new language model that its CEO claims is the smartest in the world. This model boasts improved capabilities in coding, mathematics, and writing, in addition to being able to interpret images efficiently. AI continues to be a central theme in the latest updates across the board.

GA4 Simplified Event Tracking

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) has simplified event tracking, making it easier to set up. With just one click, you can enable event tracking for actions like button clicks or scrolling down a page. This change is likely to benefit those running ads by allowing for better tracking of goal-related interactions.

Reddit and TikTok Updates

On the social media front, Reddit is testing a new AI-powered search engine to enhance user experience, while TikTok has filed for an extension on its mandated sale date, pushing it from January 19, 2025, thereby allowing its users to continue utilizing the platform without disruption.

WordPress and AI Integration

Automattic, the company behind WordPress, has acquired WP AI, promising an influx of AI-powered features in the platform soon. Keeping an eye on these developments will be critical for website owners and developers.

Google Gemini 2.0

Gemini 2.0 has been introduced by Google, with AI overviews reaching a billion users. Due to this popularity, updates related to search optimization powered by Gemini 2.0 will soon be rolled out. The rise of generative engine optimization is becoming increasingly significant in this evolving landscape.

New Reporting Features

A new report in Google Search Console provides near real-time insights, including hourly breakdowns for search, discover, and news over a 24-hour cycle.

Microsoft’s Tracking Compliance Tools

Microsoft has launched four new tracking and consent compliance tools, facilitating better engagement tracking across devices in the same household. Additionally, they have rolled out new compatibility features with European regulations and integrated Google Tag Manager for ease of use.

Google Ads Enhancements

Google is also working on new guidelines for shopping annotations aimed at e-commerce advertisers and is testing a new video asset feature in Google Ads to streamline ad creation.

Global Advertising Revenue

On a broader note, global advertising revenue is approaching the $ 1 trillion mark, reflecting the industry’s growth.

Instagram Trials New Feature

Finally, Instagram has launched a trial tool for Reels, allowing you to test the performance of your Reels before a full rollout.

That wraps up this week's digital marketing news. I hope you found it helpful. Happy holidays, and I look forward to our next discussion!

Keywords

December 2024 Core Update
Google AI Integration
GA4 Event Tracking
Reddit AI Search
TikTok Sale Date Extension
WordPress AI Features
Gemini 2.0
Google Search Console
Microsoft Consent Tools
Global Ad Revenue
Instagram Reels

FAQ

What is the December 2024 core update?
The December 2024 core update is a significant algorithm update from Google that will impact search rankings.

What should I check for on my website after the update?
Ensure that your website is using the correct status codes (200 OK) and check the noindex tag settings to avoid being removed from Google search results.

How has OpenAI's model been described?
OpenAI's latest language model has been called the smartest in the world, with enhanced coding, math-solving, and writing abilities.

What’s new in Google Analytics 4?
GA4 has introduced simplified event tracking, allowing users to easily set up event tracking with one click.

What compliance tools has Microsoft launched?
Microsoft has released new tracking and consent compliance tools that improve engagement tracking across devices and align with regulations in the EEA, UK, and Switzerland.