Google launched a significant core update on August 15, 2024, causing substantial shifts in the SEO landscape. If you’ve noticed changes in your website’s performance, you’re not alone—SEOs around the globe are experiencing fluctuations in search rankings.
Here’s everything we know about the August 2024 core update, how it’s affecting websites, and what you can do to stay ahead.
What Happened with the August Core Update?
Google releases core updates periodically to improve the quality of search results. The August update was designed to reward websites that create genuinely useful content rather than content optimized solely for search performance.
This update also incorporated feedback from creators after the turbulent March 2024 core update, which caused significant ranking shifts and left many websites scrambling to recover.
The update began on August 15 and was fully rolled out by September 3. But even after completion, many sites are still experiencing reversals in their rankings.
How the August Update Is Impacting Websites
There have been reports of considerable volatility in search results, with some websites experiencing partial recovery while others continue to drop in rankings. According to anecdotal evidence and data from SEO professionals, publishing and affiliate sites were hit hardest, particularly on commercial and affiliate-focused terms like “best products for X.”
Forbes and other authoritative sites have taken over many of these high-commercial intent search results, leaving smaller sites struggling to regain their visibility.
Google’s Official Stance
Google’s response to the update has been predictably vague. They emphasize the importance of connecting users with high-quality, useful, original content. They’ve also hinted that smaller, independent sites may see recovery if they’ve made improvements to align with these goals.
What Does This Mean for Your Business?
If your business relies heavily on local SEO, you may not have been impacted at all. Google’s core updates typically don’t affect local map rankings, meaning if your leads come from Google Business Profiles or map listings, your traffic is likely stable.
However, businesses depending on organic search traffic may have seen shifts in rankings. Sites that focused heavily on content optimized for search engines rather than user experience have been most affected.
How Can You Respond?
If you noticed a drop in traffic post-update, here are a few steps to consider:
- Audit Your Content: Look for underperforming pages, especially those optimized heavily for SEO but lacking in user engagement.
- Revise Internal Linking: Avoid overly aggressive anchor text both internally and in backlinks.
- Focus on User Intent: Ensure your content answers users’ questions and provides genuine value. Google’s priority is rewarding content that is useful, not just optimized.
- Local SEO Focus: For local businesses, refining your Google Business Profile, collecting positive reviews, and ensuring your citations are accurate will strengthen your position.
Final Thoughts
The SEO landscape is ever-changing, and Google’s August 2024 Core Update is a reminder that focusing on high-quality, valuable content is more important than ever. While this update has caused disruptions, it’s also an opportunity for websites with strong user-focused content to thrive.
Keep an eye on your site’s performance in Google Search Console and consider making content and SEO adjustments based on real user engagement rather than simply aiming for keyword rankings.
If you’re unsure how your site has been affected, or if you’d like help optimizing for these changes, contact us for a personalized SEO audit!