Understanding Google's August 2024 Core Update: What You Need to Know

Hi everyone, it's Amit.

Google is currently rolling out its latest core update, and it’s important for website owners and SEOs to understand what this means and how to navigate the changes effectively. Let's dive into what core updates are, their purpose, and how to handle potential traffic fluctuations.

What are Google Core Updates?

Core updates are significant changes to Google's search algorithms. These updates are not meant to penalize websites but to improve the overall quality of search results. Google's goal is to present the best and most relevant information to users. With each update, Google adjusts its algorithm to better meet this goal, sometimes causing shifts in website rankings.

Why Do Core Updates Affect Traffic?

When a site loses or gains traffic after a core update, it often indicates that the site’s relevance or quality, according to Google's updated criteria, has changed. This is not a punishment; rather, it’s a reflection of Google refining its ability to connect users with the most relevant and useful content.

What's Different About the August 2024 Update?

The August 2024 update is expected to take about a month to fully roll out. One notable aspect of this update is Google’s increased focus on filtering out low-quality, spammy content, including the surge of AI-generated content that lacks genuine value. Google aims to prioritize content that users find genuinely helpful.

Key Strategies to Handle Core Updates

1. Don’t Panic and Act Hastily: If you notice a drop in traffic during the update, don’t make immediate changes. Wait until the update is fully rolled out. Acting too quickly can lead to unnecessary changes that may not address the real issue.
2. Analyze What Changed: Look at what kind of sites are now ranking above you. Has the search intent shifted? Are different types of content or websites appearing? This insight can help you understand how to adjust your strategy.
3. Diversify Your SEO Strategy: Avoid relying too heavily on one aspect of SEO, such as only building links or only focusing on on-page SEO. A balanced approach, considering both on-page and off-page factors, is more resilient to changes.
4. Check for Technical Issues: Before attributing a traffic drop solely to the core update, rule out technical problems. Issues like incorrect no-index tags, faulty site migrations, or server problems could also be causing traffic drops.
5. Improve Content Quality: Google continues to emphasize quality content. Make sure your content provides real value, is well-researched, and satisfies user intent. Consider the expertise, authority, and trustworthiness (E-A-T) of your content.

Looking Forward

Google has mentioned that they are taking feedback into account, aiming to support a diverse range of sites, including smaller, independent sites. This update might offer an opportunity for those smaller sites to regain visibility if they can meet the quality and relevance criteria Google seeks.

Final Thoughts

As with any core update, the best approach is to stay calm, be patient, and take a strategic view. Monitor your site’s performance, analyze changes in the search landscape, and adapt accordingly. Remember, SEO is a long-term game, and these updates are part of evolving towards better, more user-centric search results.

Stay informed, keep optimizing, and best of luck navigating this latest update!