The August 2024 Core Update is Google’s latest algorithm update and was launched on 15 August 2024. Unfortunately, the rollout was far from smooth with an unrelated ranking bug confirmed within 24 hours of the launch. The bug lasted four days and skewed rankings with some facing huge shifts in the search engine results page.
The core update announcement initially caused apprehension, particularly with those who had faced adverse effects from Google’s September 2023 helpful content update. However in Google’s announcement, they stated that the August 2024 Core Update was created to offer negatively affected websites a chance to recover and noting that they had taken into consideration feedback from previous core updates.
So, how has the Google August 2024 Core Update affected websites?
What Is the Google August 2024 Core Update?
As with previous core updates, Google did not disclose specific details about the August 2024 Core Update. However, we were informed that the August 2024 Core Update was part of Google’s ongoing intentions to reward websites that offered high-quality, authoritative, and genuinely helpful content. The rollout was estimated to take around one month to fully implement but instead took just 19 days, with the update completing on 3 September 2024.
Google emphasised this goal in a blog post about the update:
“This update is designed to continue our work to improve the quality of our search results by showing more content that people find genuinely useful and less content that feels like it was made just to perform well on Search.”
Changes to Google’s Core Update Documentation
In response to the August 2024 Core Update, Google has made some significant changes to its core update documentation. This includes new insights about how core updates work, how to find and interpret changes in ranking and when to take action.
For example, a notable addition has been incorporated into the ‘Assessing a large drop in position’ section. When evaluating why pages have been impacted, Google suggests: “there may be other pages on the web that are doing a better job of helping the searcher.”
Several other updates further stress Google’s commitment to valuable content. For example, the document references the company’s “mission to present helpful and reliable results.” It also mentions making content easier to navigate and read, and reinforces the importance of “people-first content.”
Additionally, this document also clarifies what action may be necessary following a core update. While Google states that “most sites don’t need to worry about core updates,” it also advises that significant drops in ranking may require a “deeper assessment.”
These changes were first spotted by Marie Haynes and discussed in detail on her blog. They were further analysed by SEO consultant, Glenn Gabe, who summarised the information via a post on X:
What We’ve Seen From the August 2024 Core Update
It’s still early days with the rollout finishing just over two weeks ago. So far there has been considerable volatility in SERPs since the completion of the update. American journalist, Barry Schwartz raised his concerns with this post on X:
Multiple sources, such as Semrush, have been reporting high volatility over the last 30 days.
In terms of how the August 2024 Core Update has affected rankings and traffic, polls conducted by Search Engine Roundtable across three platforms – X, LinkedIn, and their own site – revealed that a total of 1583 voters were down on traffic/rankings, 1038 faced no change, and only 993 experienced an improvement.
So, what’s the consensus? Overall, it seems the majority haven’t seen much in terms of recovery, and instead observed a decline in rankings and traffic. As with any update, the effects vary from site to site and whilst most appear to have taken a hit, a fair amount have noticed some indications of recovery.
What Can You Do Post Core Update?
If the rollout has led to a significant drop in rankings, try not to panic. Google’s advice, whilst fairly limited in specifics, has remained the same – create helpful content that has been written for the user first and not the search engine.
Focus on Quality, Relevance, and Intent
Evaluate the current content on your site. Is it written with the right audience in mind? Does it provide the visitor with any real value? Is the information taken from credible sources? These are just a few questions you can use to assess whether your content aligns with the newest algorithm update. Google Search Central’s post about creating helpful content has an extensive list of questions to aid in your assessment and is a great place to start.
Google’s ranking system aims to put the right information in front of the right people. Ensuring your content is relevant to your target user and compatible with their intentions is essential.
Monitor Performance
After every core update it’s crucial to monitor your performance in the following weeks. Pay attention to any significant changes in traffic and rankings and identify areas where a change in strategy is required, then implement where appropriate. It’s important not to wipe any poor performing pages off your site, instead rework it with a better, long term strategy in place that cooperates with Google’s search ranking system.
Do you have questions about the August 2024 Core Update? Noticed fluctuations that are causing concern? Or are you looking to improve the quality of your content? Then contact us today. Here at Another Concept, our experts can help you navigate these changes, optimise your site and create user-first content that drives results.
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