How Do I Build Links?

Links can be built internally, by linking two of your own pages together, or externally, by connecting links with content from other websites. Of the two, external link building is decidedly more complex but can result in better domain authority. To build internal links, all someone needs to do is include the URL of one page in either the site’s menu or within the content of a page. This allows users, as well as Google, to understand the relationship between different pages on a site. As for external link building, look for authoritative figures in related industries who would benefit from linking your content on their website, and inquire about building a connection of links.

How is SEO Different from Paid Ads?

SEO, or organic results, differs from paid ads, or Pay-Per-Click, in two main ways. First, the position of organic results differs from ad results on a search engine results page (SERP). Ad results always appear at the very top and very bottom of the SERP. On average, around 2-3 will populate in these spots depending on the search. Organic results appear in between the paid ads. The second biggest difference is the cost of visitor traffic. PPC ads have a pre-determined cost that the site owner must pay Google each time a user clicks on one of their ads. Organic traffic, on the other hand, has no direct costs associated with the number of visitors that click on their site.

Why Does a 404 or Technical Error Affect Rankings?

404’s and other technical errors are a common and unavoidable occurrence on the internet. Typically, having a few 404 errors will not impact a site’s rankings in any significant way. However, if a site has too many 404 errors, search engines may develop a negative impression of the site and stop indexing this site’s pages. This can result in two serious issues: loss of traffic volume and dead links. Visitor traffic is one important factor in SERP rankings, and a considerable decrease can drop a site’s rankings by a large amount. 404 pages also do not pass on backlink authority, so any quality links from a page that 404’s will no longer contribute to the site’s authority and hurt rankings as well.

Does Social Media Affect SEO Actual Rankings?

Social media can affect SEO actual rankings but not directly. Google has stated in 2014 that direct social signals, such as likes and shares through social media platforms, does not affect actual rankings on the search engine results page (SERP). What social media can do, however, is be an amplifier for other important SEO factors, such as backlinks, click-through rate (CTR) and content quality and authority. Producing high-quality, consistent content that receives attention through the various social media platforms allows for better online visibility for your brand, and subsequently, your website. This helps create more backlinks if your content is being shared, and more visits to your website directly from a social post.

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March 2026 Core Update: What Law Firms Need to Know About Ranking Changes

30 Apr, 2026 Google News

Search rankings are never static, and for law firms, even minor fluctuations can impact visibility, lead generation, and overall reputation. Google officially began rolling out its March 2026 core update at 2:00 AM PT on March 27, introducing broad changes to how websites are evaluated in search results.

While Google has not provided specific details about this update, core updates historically have significant effects across industries, including the legal sector.

Here’s what attorneys and law firms should understand about this latest rollout.

What is the March 2026 Core Update?

The March 2026 core update represents a comprehensive adjustment to Google’s ranking algorithm. Unlike targeted updates, core updates don’t focus on a single issue or industry; they reevaluate content quality across the entire web.

For law firms, this means your website could see changes in rankings based on how Google now interprets relevance to user intent, authority, credibility, and overall usefulness of your content.

Google has also flagged this update on its Search Status Dashboard, indicating noticeable ranking fluctuations are expected throughout the rollout.

Timeline and What to Expect Now That Rollout is Complete

The March 2026 core update officially began on March 27 and has now fully rolled out. As the first core update of 2026, it followed closely behind the February 2026 Discover update and a March 2026 spam update, signaling a continued focus on content quality and search integrity.

During the rollout, ranking volatility was expected, with fluctuations occurring as Google adjusted its ranking systems in phases. Now that the update is complete, those fluctuations have largely stabilized, giving law firms a clearer picture of their current search performance.

Core updates like this one typically cause noticeable shifts across search results, and this update was no exception. Some law firm websites may have gained visibility, while others may have seen declines depending on how their content aligns with Google’s evolving standards for relevance, authority, and usefulness.

Looking at historical patterns, recent core updates have ranged from a few days to several weeks in duration:

December 2025: Dec. 12 – Dec. 29
June 2025: June 30 – July 17
March 2025: Mar. 13 – Mar. 27

This context reinforces that ranking volatility is normal during these updates.

How Core Updates Affect Law Firm SEO

Google’s core updates are designed to surface the most helpful, high-quality content for users. Rather than penalizing specific websites, these updates reward pages that better meet user needs.

For law firms, this means:

Well-written, informative legal content may rise in rankings
Outdated, thin, or less relevant pages may decline
Competitor content improvements can also shift your position

For example, a detailed, client-focused article on a legal topic may outperform a generic or overly technical page if it better answers user questions.

History of Lead Up to the March 2026 Update

This core update follows several recent changes to Google’s ecosystem:

March 2026 spam update, 19 hours, 30 minutes
February 2026 Discover update, 21 days, 17 hours
December 2025 core update, 18 days, 2 hours

Together, these updates confirm Google’s continued focus on refining content quality, relevance, and user experience.

What Law Firms Should Do Now

Now that the rollout is complete, law firms can more accurately assess how the update impacted their website.

Focus on analyzing:

Keyword ranking changes
Traffic trends before and after the update
Which pages gained or lost visibility

This insight reveals what content is being rewarded and where improvements are needed.

Keep Google’s guidance in mind: ranking drops don’t always indicate a problem, recovery may take time, and success depends on helpful, people-first content.

If your rankings declined, avoid quick fixes. Instead, prioritize long-term improvements like strengthening content quality, reinforcing authority, and better addressing client needs. If your visibility improved, identify what worked and build on it.

Navigating SEO After a Core Update

Core updates can create uncertainty, especially in competitive legal markets where rankings directly affect client acquisition.

Partnering with BluShark Digital can help your firm interpret ranking changes, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement strategies that support long-term growth.