Google has officially rolled out its much-anticipated August 2024 Core Update on August 15, 2024, completing the process on September 3, 2024.
As with every core update, the search engine giant has made significant changes to its ranking systems, which are likely to affect websites across industries. Whether you’re a site owner, SEO specialist, or digital marketer, understanding the implications of this update is essential to maintaining or improving your website’s search rankings.
In this blog, we’ll break down what Google’s core updates entail, the key insights from the August 2024 update, and tips on how you can adjust your SEO strategy in light of these changes.
What Is a Google Core Update?
Google’s core updates are broad changes made to its search algorithm with the goal of improving the quality of search results. These updates don’t target specific websites or industries but rather reevaluate the relevance, quality, and authority of content across the web. As a result, some websites may experience ranking drops, while others may see gains in visibility.
A core update essentially allows Google’s algorithm to better understand what users are searching for and deliver more accurate, useful results.
Key Insights from the August 2024 Core Update
This update brought significant changes to search rankings, with many websites experiencing shifts, particularly small and independent publishers. The update was influenced by feedback from last year’s September 2023 helpful content update, which negatively impacted many publishers. Notably, a ranking bug occurred early in the update but was quickly fixed. Google continues to emphasize creating high-quality, user-centric content to succeed in search rankings.
- Significant Ranking Movement: Many sites saw shifts in rankings, especially small publishers.
- Focus on User-Centric Content: Google emphasizes content that genuinely helps users over content designed purely to rank well.
- Ranking Bug Resolved: A ranking bug that affected the first four days of the rollout was quickly addressed.
- No Specific Recovery Steps: Sites negatively impacted are advised to continue focusing on quality and relevance.
How to Adjust Your SEO Strategy?
With the August 2024 Core Update now fully rolled out, it’s time to assess your website’s performance and adjust your SEO strategy accordingly. Here are some tips to help you navigate the changes:
Conduct a Content Audit
Review your existing content and identify areas for improvement. Focus on refreshing outdated articles, adding more detail where necessary, and eliminating thin or low-value content. Your goal should be to provide comprehensive, useful information that aligns with search intent.
Improve User Experience
Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, loads quickly, and offers an intuitive user experience. Tools like Google’s Core Web Vitals can help you assess your site’s performance and identify areas for improvement.
Build High-Quality Backlinks
Focus on earning backlinks from authoritative and relevant websites in your industry. Engage in partnerships, guest blogging, and outreach to improve the quality of your backlinks.
Monitor AI Content Quality
If you’re using AI to generate content, make sure it meets Google’s quality standards. Avoid publishing automated content without proper editing or human input, and ensure it provides real value to your audience.
Optimize for Local Search
For local businesses, it’s more important than ever to optimize your Google Business Profile, build local citations, and gather reviews from customers. Ensuring your business information is accurate and up-to-date will help improve your local search rankings.
What to Do if Your Rankings Dropped?
If you’ve noticed a drop in your rankings after the August 2024 update, don’t panic. Here’s what you can do:
- Analyze Your Traffic: Identify which pages and keywords have been affected. Use tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track performance.
- Review Google’s Guidelines: Make sure your content adheres to Google’s quality guidelines, focusing on E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness).
- Stay Patient: Core updates often take time to settle, and rankings can fluctuate for weeks after the rollout. Continue to monitor your site’s performance and make adjustments where necessary.
Conclusion
Google’s August 2024 Core Update is another reminder that SEO is an ever-evolving field. Staying informed about these updates and adapting your strategy to meet Google’s evolving standards is crucial for long-term success. Focus on delivering high-quality content, providing an excellent user experience, and building strong authority to thrive in the post-update landscape.
As the dust settles, be sure to monitor your rankings and make any necessary improvements to stay competitive. With the right approach, your site can come out stronger after this latest core update.
MageComp has helped many websites to improve their rankings and shine on the Google search.