On August 15, 2024, Google rolled out its latest core update, aimed at further improving search result quality and user experience. This update places a strong emphasis on surfacing high-quality, genuinely useful content over content designed solely to perform well on Google Search.
Understanding Google’s August 2024 Core Update
The August 2024 Core Update builds on Google’s continuous efforts to refine the search experience, prioritize user satisfaction, and address feedback from both creators and users. While core updates occur several times a year, each one presents new developments in Google’s mission to connect users with relevant, valuable content and enhance their search experience.
In this update, several aspects are emphasized:
- Prominence of Useful, Authentic Content:
The August 2024 update is crafted to prioritize content that genuinely helps users. Google seeks to elevate pages that provide valuable information, insights, or perspectives and reduce visibility for content that exists merely to exploit search algorithms. - Support for Small and Independent Sites:
Google has heard concerns from creators and site owners about the difficulty in standing out against large, well-funded websites. As a result, this update includes a focus on supporting small or independent sites with unique and original content, allowing them to better compete in search rankings when they offer relevant, high-quality information. - Recognition of Continuous Improvement Efforts:
This core update is designed to better recognize and reward sites that have made substantial content improvements over time. If a site has taken steps to improve its quality since previous core updates, Google aims to reflect those efforts in its rankings. For site owners and SEOs, this is a clear signal to maintain continuous quality improvements rather than relying on quick, algorithm-focused fixes. - Updated Guidance for Core Updates:
To support creators and site owners, Google has updated its core update guidance on its help page. This new guidance provides additional insights into what core updates aim to achieve and offers more specific suggestions on how to align content with Google’s quality benchmarks.
What Does This Mean for Your Website?
If you experience changes in your website’s search rankings following the August 2024 update, it may be related to these new quality benchmarks. Here’s what to consider:
- Focus on Genuine Value Over SEO Manipulation:
While SEO practices are still essential, the August update reiterates the importance of genuine, reader-focused content. Prioritizing content that answers questions effectively, provides unique insights, and is directly relevant to the audience’s intent is more important than ever. - Quality Signals for Small and Niche Sites:
This update underscores Google’s commitment to promoting diverse perspectives from smaller sites, allowing these sites to compete with larger players when they offer high-quality information. If you run a niche or independent site, consider doubling down on areas where you can deliver specialized, valuable content that may not be as well-covered by larger publications. - Ongoing Quality Assessment:
Sites are evaluated based on consistent, ongoing quality, meaning that improvements made over time are recognized. If you’ve worked to enhance your content quality or make your site more user-friendly, this update may work in your favor. Keep focusing on producing content that is well-researched, authoritative, and helpful, rather than making one-time adjustments aimed at short-term ranking gains. - Core Update Guidance for Improvement:
Google’s updated help page on core updates can serve as a useful reference for site owners seeking to understand and adapt to these algorithm shifts. The guidance emphasizes long-term content quality and usability improvements as key components to maintaining or improving search rankings.
How to Align Your SEO Strategy with the August 2024 Core Update
If you want your site to thrive under the new algorithm, consider the following best practices:
- Conduct a Content Audit:
Assess the quality of your existing content to identify any gaps. This could involve updating outdated posts, adding depth to thin content, or creating new resources that address user needs more effectively. - Improve E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness):
Core updates continue to emphasize E-A-T as a ranking factor. To boost your site’s E-A-T, consider citing reputable sources, incorporating author bios, obtaining high-quality backlinks, and addressing topics you have expertise in. - User Experience and Mobile Optimization:
Make sure your site is accessible, loads quickly, and is mobile-friendly. Google’s ranking algorithms consider site speed and usability as key factors. Improving these areas can enhance your rankings and retain visitors on your site. - Engage with Google’s Core Update Resources:
Google’s revised core update guidance contains tips and practices that align with this new approach. Reading these resources and adapting your content strategy accordingly can help improve your site’s visibility in search results.
Potential Impacts and Next Steps
After the update’s implementation on August 15, you may notice changes in your site’s traffic or search rankings. Core updates typically take several weeks to fully roll out, so monitoring your performance and being patient as the changes settle is crucial.
- Track Rankings and Traffic Changes: If you notice any major fluctuations, don’t rush to make adjustments. Core updates often take time to stabilize, so allow a few weeks for consistent patterns to emerge.
- Continue Content Optimization Efforts: Regularly updating and refining your content keeps it relevant and better aligned with Google’s evolving quality standards. Google’s commitment to rewarding continuous improvements means that high-quality, updated content is always in favor.
Key Takeaways
The August 2024 core update reinforces Google’s focus on delivering high-quality, user-centric search results by rewarding sites with genuinely helpful content. For site owners and SEOs, this change presents an opportunity to refocus on the fundamentals of quality content creation and user experience. By keeping up with Google’s core update guidance and maintaining a commitment to continuous improvement, your site can remain resilient in the face of future updates.
For additional insights and support, Google encourages site owners to visit the Google Search Central help community or follow Google’s Search Advocate team on social media.