In August 2024, Google announced its latest core update, following up on the March 2024 core update, which caused significant disruption in search engine rankings for many websites. In this blog post, we'll explore the key aspects of the August 2024 core update, the impact of previous updates, and what website owners should do moving forward.
A Brief Recap: The March 2024 Core Update
The March 2024 core update significantly impacted the rankings of numerous websites. Many online publishers, especially small and independent sites, saw dramatic shifts in their search visibility. Some sites even disappeared from Google's search results altogether, resulting in a loss of traffic and income. In our last blog post, we explored the impact of the March 2024 update and what it meant for content creators and SEO experts. You can read that post here. As the dust settled, it became clear that some adjustments were necessary to ensure fairness and better search results for all types of websites, particularly those offering valuable content to users.
The August 2024 Core Update: What's New?
Google's August 2024 core update arrives with a promise of refinement. This update aims to address some of the criticisms and negative feedback Google received after the March update, particularly from smaller publishers and independent websites. According to Google, they have considered these concerns and made adjustments accordingly. The goal is to create a more balanced search experience that doesn't disproportionately harm smaller, high-quality content creators.
Google stated that this update places a renewed focus on "useful content", prioritizing the needs of searchers over content designed solely to rank in search engines. This echoes their ongoing commitment to refining how search works by emphasizing value for users rather than algorithms.
In addition to rolling out these changes, Google has updated its guidance for publishers on its help page, offering more detailed information about what these updates mean and how site owners can adapt. You can find the latest updates on Google's official blog here and more specifics on core update guidance here.
How Will This Update Affect Your Website?
For website owners, the primary mission remains unchanged: focus on creating helpful and relevant content for your audience. Google's core updates consistently reward sites that prioritize user experience and content that genuinely meets the needs of searchers. As always, it's essential to avoid content that appears to be created merely for search rankings.
According to Google, "useful content" is content that delivers value to readers, is crafted with care, and addresses the intent behind users' search queries. You can read more about Google's approach to helpful content in their documentation here.
One key takeaway from this update is that smaller, independent sites offering valuable, unique content may benefit more this time around. Google's August update appears to be more considerate of the challenges faced by these publishers, which may lead to improved visibility for sites that were negatively impacted by previous updates.
However, it's important to note that SEO remains a complex and evolving field. According to Search Engine Land, "as with all core updates, Google advises allowing time for the update to fully roll out before assessing its impact on your site." (Source: Search Engine Land)
In light of this, patience is critical. Website rankings can fluctuate during the rollout period, and it may take several weeks for the full impact of the update to become clear.
How to Stay Ahead with Your SEO Strategy
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1. Focus on High-Quality Content: Continually assess the quality of your content and ensure it provides genuine value to your audience.
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2. Monitor Your Site Performance: Use tools like Google Search Console to monitor changes in your site's performance. If you notice a drop in rankings, review your content strategy and consider whether your content aligns with Google's recommendations for helpful content.
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3. Stay informed: Keep up with the latest SEO news and Google's official guidance. Google often updates its documentation to provide more clarity and direction for site owners. For a more in-depth analysis of the latest core update guidance, you can check out this article from Search Engine Journal here.
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4. Be patient: Changes from core updates can take time to reflect fully on your site's performance. Don't rush into making drastic changes immediately after an update. Instead, wait for the update to complete its rollout and then analyze the data to make informed decisions.
Conclusion: Preparing for the Future
The August 2024 core update continues Google's efforts to improve the search experience by focusing on high-quality, useful content. This update addresses some of the concerns raised by smaller websites after previous updates, making it a potentially positive development for independent publishers. However, as always, the key to success lies in creating content that genuinely serves your audience's needs.
If you have any questions or need help with adapting your SEO strategy, feel free to contact us, and we'll be happy to assist you.
Author
Written by: Evelin-Valéria Székely
About me: With years of experience in the dynamic field of marketing, I specialize in leveraging Google Ads to seamlessly fuse creativity with data-driven insights, ultimately propelling brands to new heights. As a devoted Google Ads specialist, ensuring precise tracking is a non-negotiable priority for me. Staying ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of successful advertising demands continuous learning and adaptation to cutting-edge innovations, like the game-changing feature detailed in this blog. My commitment to staying informed about emerging technologies and features underscores my dedication to delivering optimal results for our clients.