On September 3, 2024, Google officially declared the completion of its August core update, which had commenced on August 15, 2024. Over the course of 19 days, this update induced notable fluctuations in search rankings, sparking widespread discussion among digital marketers and website proprietors. Unlike routine updates, this particular core update was notably shaped by feedback Google received following the September 2023 helpful content update, which had adversely impacted many small and independent publishers.
The repercussions of the August 2024 core update have varied significantly across different websites. A recent survey highlighted the diverse outcomes: 44% of respondents reported a decline in rankings and traffic, 27% observed an improvement, and 29% experienced no change. This disparity illustrates that while some websites have gained from the update, a considerable number have either remained static or faced further declines. Such uneven results have left many website owners questioning the effectiveness of their SEO strategies and contemplating the need for adjustments.
The initial phase of the August core update was plagued by a significant search ranking bug that persisted for the first four days, causing erratic ranking changes. This anomaly made it challenging for website owners to accurately gauge the true impact of the update during this period. Google has since rectified the bug, advising that any ranking data from those initial days be disregarded when assessing the update’s effects.
John Mueller, Google’s Search Advocate, provided insights into the objectives of the August core update, emphasizing its aim to enhance the quality of search results by prioritizing genuinely useful content over content created merely to perform well on search engines. Mueller underscored that the update was designed to elevate high-quality content from small and independent publishers, reflecting Google’s commitment to surfacing the best and most relevant content on the web.
In tandem with the rollout, Google updated its help page on core updates, offering more comprehensive guidance for those experiencing changes in their rankings. The advice remains consistent with Google’s long-standing recommendations: focus on creating helpful, reliable, and user-centric content. For those negatively impacted, there are no specific actions to take for immediate recovery other than continuously improving the quality of content.
The August 2024 core update follows the March 2024 core update, which was the largest core update to date, taking 45 days to complete. The March update had minimal effect on addressing the issues caused by the September 2023 helpful content update, leaving many small publishers struggling. Consequently, the August update carried high expectations for rectifying these issues, but the mixed results suggest that further refinements may be necessary.
Google has consistently advised that a negative impact from a core update does not necessarily indicate any faults with a website’s pages. Instead, it may reflect changes in how Google’s algorithms evaluate the relevance and quality of content. Google recommends a self-audit using a list of questions designed to assess content quality. While some recovery might be possible between core updates, significant improvements are most likely to be seen after subsequent updates.
Google’s core updates are a regular occurrence, typically rolling out every few months. Website owners are encouraged to continuously enhance their sites and content, not just to improve search engine rankings but also to enrich the user experience. The August 2024 core update serves as a reminder that the digital landscape is in a constant state of flux, and staying ahead necessitates ongoing effort and adaptation.
In essence, the completion of Google’s August 2024 core update has brought about considerable changes in search rankings, yielding mixed outcomes for various websites. While some have reaped benefits, many others continue to grapple with challenges. The update highlights the critical importance of focusing on high-quality, user-centric content to achieve sustainable success in search rankings.
