Google’s August 2024 has completed it’s rolling out, As the updated started on 15 Aug, 2024 and was completed 19 days later on September 3, 2024. Also, this updated has caused a lot of rankings and changes to the overall Google Search results. Let’s understand what Google update algorithm Aug 2024 says about;
What Is Google’s August 2024 Core Update?
With its August 2024 core update, Google is still working to provide people with more useful and relevant content than those that try to influence search engine rankings.It supports Google's core updates, which include those launched in October 2022 and March 2024, and is made to recognize and incentivize knowledgeable, reliable content supported by the experts.
The August 2024 core update from Google is notable for its new initiative to compensate independent or small-scale content creators who create unique and valuable content. Google is making sure these websites get the prominence they deserve since it understands how important they are to the digital ecosystem.
Moreover, the August 2024 update is intended to better record and represent good changes made by sites, in addition to these enhancements.
If you've been putting a lot of effort into raising the caliber of your content or enhancing the user experience on your website, Google may continue to reward you for your efforts. Future updates will probably expand on these concepts, as this update is only one step in a continuous process.
Key Focus of the August 2024 Core Update
As in May 2024, the news of Google leaking 14000+ search ranking features that disrupted the way of SEO. Furthermore, the recent August 2024 Core Update by Google is focused on enhancing the quality of search results. Its main goals are to promote genuinely useful content and to demote material created mainly for SEO purposes.
1. Search Ranking Bug in the Initial Days
During the first four days of the August core update, a significant search ranking bug affected the results. This issue was resolved after four days. From 15 August to 20 August. Therefore, any fluctuations in rankings or traffic during this period should be disregarded.
2. Promoting High-Quality Content
This update aims to showcase content that adds real value to users. Google wants to ensure that search results feature information that is both relevant and genuinely helpful.
3.Reducing Low-Value, SEO-Driven Content
Content designed solely to improve search engine rankings, rather than to provide meaningful information to users, is expected to see reduced visibility. Google is refining its algorithms to prioritize content that meets user needs over content optimized purely for SEO.
4.Supporting Small and Independent Sites
A key aspect of this update is giving more visibility to small and independent publishers. Feedback from the March 2024 update highlighted that smaller creators were negatively impacted, so this update aims to correct that by recognizing and promoting their valuable, original content.
John Mueller, Google’s Search Advocate, remarked, “This update reflects feedback we've received and aims to connect users with a diverse range of high-quality sites, including those from smaller or independent creators. We are committed to continuing this focus in future updates.”
5. Rollout Timeline
The August 2024 update will take about a month to complete. During this period, changes in rankings may not be immediate, so it is important to be patient and monitor your site's performance regularly.
6. Guidance for Webmasters
Webmasters should focus on creating content that meets the needs of users, not just search engine algorithms. Valuable, informative, and engaging content is likely to perform better.
7. Google’s Updated Guidance
Google has updated its help page with new guidance on how to adapt to core updates. This resource offers tips for understanding the changes and adjusting your content strategy accordingly.
How can you check whether your website has been impacted?
1. Traffic Drop in Search Console
Review Google Search Console for significant declines in traffic. Examine the Performance report to see if there’s been a drop in impressions, clicks, or average position.
2. Small Drop in Position (from 2 to 4)
If there’s small drop in position pages from 2 to 4 then you don't need to make drastic change in your website. Instead, you can avoid making changes to your website.
3. Large Drop in Position (4 to 29)
Check whether there’s a noticeable fall in your rankings. You can utilize SEO tools like search console, Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz to track keyword rankings. A noticeable fall in positions for your target keywords may suggest an impact from recent updates.
4. Compare Historical Data
Look at traffic data over the past weeks or months to identify any sudden changes. Compare recent figures with historical trends to spot significant declines. You can refer to the images below for detailed
I. In below image, the impressions before the core update (1/8/24 - 16/8/24) were 5.55K, while after the core update (16/8/24 - 31/8/24) they dropped to 4.29K, indicating a decrease in visibility.
(Image 1 )
II. While in below image, impressions increased slightly after the core update (16/8/24 - 31/8/24) to 34.4K from 31.5K (before the core update), suggesting improved visibility in this case.
(Image 2 )
5. Analyze and check technical errors
Ensure there are no technical problems on your site, like crawl errors or broken links, which could affect your rankings. Also, make sure that your website is SSL certified, as it makes your website more safe and secure.
6. Review your content
Content plays a major role. Make sure that your content is updated and AI and plagiarism-free. Make sure it adds value to users and is authoritative by effectively addressing users' needs.
What can you do to keep your website aligned with core update?
1. Offer Valuable, Relevant Content
The cornerstone of SEO success is delivering content that is both valuable and relevant to your audience. Websites that focus on producing high-quality content that adheres to Google’s E-E-A-T principles—Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness—tend to perform well despite algorithm changes.
2. Align Content with Customer Expectations
Regularly review and update your content to ensure it meets the expectations of your audience. Ask yourself if your content aligns with what users are looking for when they perform searches. Are you providing the insights and answers they need?
3. Build a Strong, Coherent Brand Presence
Creating a recognizable brand is crucial. Beyond the basics like your brand name, logo, typography, and color scheme, focus on maintaining a consistent brand voice and personality across all platforms. Whether your content is created by in-house teams or outsourced, consistent branding helps build trust and makes your brand more memorable.
4. Leverage Expert-Driven Content
In a landscape where Google’s algorithms increasingly prioritize user experience, high-value content is more important than ever. Content written by experts in the field, especially when crafted by skilled human writers, tends to resonate more deeply with readers. Such content not only engages but also builds trust and authority—qualities that algorithms find difficult to quantify.
Final Thoughts
The Google Core Update from August 2024 emphasizes how important it is to produce original, high-quality content. Continuing to improve its algorithms, Google is still committed to giving users the greatest search experience possible. The lesson here is obvious for content producers and website owners: constantly strive to provide content that genuinely benefits your audience and gives quality precedence over quantity. You'll be in a better position to thrive in the changing search environment if you accomplish this.
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