The Google Medic Update: How It Impacts Your Website Rankings

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Google Medic Update Explained

In August 2018, Google made a big change to its search algorithm. This update changed how websites show up in search results. It affected many industries. But websites in health and wellness saw the biggest impact. That’s why SEO experts started calling it the “Google Medic Update.”

But it didn’t just affect medical sites. The update reached many industries. It looked at content quality, user trust, and whether a site shows authority in its field.

This update changed how Google judges content that affects people’s lives. It hit topics like health, money, safety, and legal issues. Businesses that depend on being found online were strongly affected.

Why Is The Update Called “Medic” and Who Was Affected?

The name “Medic” came from early SEO experts like Barry Schwartz. They saw that health and wellness sites were hit the hardest. But the update didn’t stop there. It also affected industries like finance, law, education, e-commerce, and technology. These areas often publish what Google calls YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) content.

Google never officially called it the “Medic” update. They said it was part of their ongoing work to improve search quality for all topics. Small and mid-sized businesses were hit the hardest. Many lost visibility, with some dropping more than 30%.

The Update’s Impact on Rankings

The Medic Update caused dramatic shifts in visibility. Sites that used to rank well dropped sharply. This happened most to those with weak trust signals or low-quality content. Some saw declines of 50-70% in organic traffic.

Conversely, websites with comprehensive, credible, and user-focused content saw gains. This suggests the update rewarded quality over quantity and trust over tactics.

Google’s Official Statement

Google called the Medic Update a “broad core update.” They said there’s no quick fix for pages that lost rankings. The best approach is to keep creating high-quality content.

Google also suggested reading the Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines. This is a detailed document that shows how human raters judge content quality.

Danny Sullivan from Google said the update wasn’t aimed at any one industry. He advised site owners to focus on improving the quality of their content.

How to Improve Rankings

There’s no quick fix for a drop caused by the Medic Update. Steady, strategic improvements can help you recover. Focus on building Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T).

Start by keeping your content up to date. Make sure it’s accurate and backed by solid research. Add author bios that show their credentials and experience. This helps readers and search engines see the content as trustworthy. Also, get backlinks from well-known websites in your industry to build authority.

Use plain, clear language that aligns with what users are searching for. Content should be easy to read and directly address the user’s intent. Highlighting customer reviews and testimonials can also help build trust with visitors. Make sure your site loads quickly. It should also work well on mobile devices. Both are important for user experience and search rankings.

What does this mean for your business? If you publish YMYL content, building trust is essential. That includes citing reliable sources and making your expertise easy to verify.

What Are E-E-A-T and YMYL?

Google uses E-E-A-T to help judge content quality. It stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. These signals guide Search Quality Raters in deciding if a page is reliable. They aren’t direct ranking factors, but they still shape how Google sees the value of a page.

Here’s what each part means:

Experience: Has the content creator actually lived or done what they’re writing about?

Expertise: Do they have credentials or verified knowledge in their field?

Authoritativeness: Is the website or author widely recognized as a trusted source?

Trustworthiness: Can readers rely on the information? Is it clear who created the content?

These signals matter most for YMYL content. YMYL stands for “Your Money or Your Life.” It covers topics that affect someone’s health, money, legal status, or safety. Examples include medical advice, legal guidance, and financial tips.

Google expects higher standards for YMYL content. If you publish this type of content, you need to show strong E-E-A-T. This helps your pages stay visible in search results.

Misconceptions About the Update

One common myth is that the update only affected medical websites. As covered earlier, that’s not true. Another misconception is that Google penalizes sites. In reality, the algorithm reweights signals to reward under-recognized high-quality pages.

So if your site dropped, it doesn’t mean you did something wrong, but it likely means others did something better.

Query Intent and Beneficial Purpose

Another key shift in the Medic Update was alignment with searcher intent. Pages that matched what users were really looking for did better. They aligned more closely with the true intent behind the search.

Google’s Search Quality Guidelines also introduced the concept of “beneficial purpose.” This asks: Does the page provide value to users? Is it genuinely helpful? Pages that fail this test may struggle to rank well moving forward.

Best Practices for Future-Proof SEO

To stay strong through future updates, follow E-E-A-T principles. Focus on content that matches what users are really searching for.

Clearly show author and company credentials. Link to trustworthy, third-party sources. Remove any low-quality or outdated content. When possible, use structured data like FAQs or reviews. Also, be transparent about who owns and manages the site.

These practices are important for any website. But they’re especially critical for expert witnesses and business owners in regulated fields. In these areas, trust and accuracy play a major role in online visibility

Tools and Resources (Google Rater Guidelines, etc.)

To see what Google values in content, check their Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines. It’s a public document used by their reviewers.

You can use Google Search Console to track your site’s performance. Use PageSpeed Insights to test how fast your site loads. Tools like Moz, SEMrush, or Ahrefs help with keyword and backlink research.

These tools help you spot problems. They also show how your content improves as you follow Google’s standards.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Google Medic Update

What is the Google Medic Update for?

The update helps Google rank YMYL content more accurately. It aims to show users reliable information from trusted experts on important topics.

What does Google Medic Update do?

It rewards content that demonstrates Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. It also reevaluates which sites are best meeting user intent.

What is the latest Google Update in 2025?

This article covers the 2018 Medic Update and its lasting effects. Since then, Google has released broader core updates. As of 2025, Google still looks for high-quality content. It also values good user experience and content that matches search intent. Always refer to Google’s official channels for the most recent updates.

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