Google Rolls Out August 2024 Core Update: How This Will Impact Your Business

The Google August 2024 core update is here.

Google made the announcement on X and shared details on its Search Central blog.

Google Search Central on X

The blog was penned under John Mueller, Google Search Advocate.

In the official statement, it was highlighted that Google core updates are designed to improve the overall search engine results pages (SERP) with less content that only seems to be “made just to perform well on Search.”

So, what does this update mean for businesses and professionals in the search engine optimization (SEO) space?

Let’s look at the Google core update and more in this blog:

•  A Summary of the August 2024 Google Core Update
•  What To Expect: The Impact on Search Engine Rankings
•  What Businesses Are Seeing So Far: Early Signs of Hope Since the September 2023 Update Fallout
•  An “Unrelated” Google Search Ranking Bug Disrupted Website Performance for Over 4 Days
•  It’s Not Yet the Time To “Make Any Call” About the Google Search Update Effects
•  What Your Business Can Do: SEO Best Practices in 2024
•  What About the Google Search Leak That Blew Up in May?
•  New Feature Announced: Google Search Console Recommendations

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A Summary of the August 2024 Google Core Update

Here is the key information from the latest Google algorithm update launched on August 15:

•  Google continues its efforts to raise the quality of search results by focusing on content that truly benefits users.
•  The latest update takes into account the feedback received from creators and others over the past few months.
•  It places greater emphasis on showcasing valuable, original content from smaller or independent websites.
•  The update also aims to better recognize and reflect improvements that websites have made.

Google has revised its help page on core updates to provide more detailed advice for sites that experience changes following an update.

The documentation underlines that core updates are general and “don’t target specific sites or individual web pages.”

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What To Expect: The Impact on Search Engine Rankings

Some businesses might notice fluctuations in their search rankings right away. However, these initial changes are not the final outcome.

Google

As with most core updates, the complete rollout can take weeks. In this case, the Google Search Status Dashboard indicates it may take up to a month to complete.

So, you want to wait until the rollout is complete before making any significant changes to your SEO strategies. This doesn’t mean any improvements during the rollout should be put on hold.

Stay updated with the rollout status here.

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What Businesses Are Seeing So Far: Early Signs of Hope Since the September 2023 Update Fallout

The September 2023 Helpful Content Update (HCU) was notable for its strict criteria. Websites that failed to meet the standards of “helpfulness” saw significant drops in rankings, leading to a wave of concern and frustration among site owners and SEO professionals. 

Many sites (including those deemed undeserving of demotion) struggled to recover in the months that followed, with some never regaining their previous positions.

Until now.

With the August 2024 core update, there are early signs of recovery for some.

Only a couple of days after the launch, SEO figures and websites are already reporting positive changes in their traffic, though little and not final. 

Websites like Retro Dodo and House Fresh, which were among those hit hard by the September 2023 HCU, have seen slight improvement in their rankings. 

Brandon Saltalamacchia, Founder of Retro Dodo

Gisele Navarro, Managing Director of House Fresh

Lily Ray, SEO Professional

Back then, many cried foul alongside them, and now, with the latest update, others are likewise celebrating their recovery. While these aren’t full recoveries, as we’re still waiting for the complete rollout, they are the first signs of life for some since last year’s Google algorithm update.

Glenn Gabe / X

More businesses are experiencing positive growth, with certain pages climbing back up the search results. For example, Glenn Gabe, an SEO expert tracking over 380 sites, noted that 47 of these sites saw some positive movement.

On the other hand, some report further declines in traffic and rankings, particularly for queries with commercial intent.

Although there are mixed results across the board, the fact that any recovery is happening has sparked renewed interest and hope among site owners and SEO professionals.

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An “Unrelated” Google Search Ranking Bug Disrupted Website Performance for Over 4 Days

As if the latest core update wasn’t enough to intensify SERP volatility, Google also confirmed a significant ranking bug that coincided with the update’s release.

Here’s the incident’s timeline from the Google Search Status Dashboard:

Google

The bug has created a layer of uncertainty, making it challenging for businesses to discern whether changes in their website performance are due to the core update or this temporary glitch.

But again, Google clarified that the issue is unrelated to the ongoing core update rollout.

Mueller also advised against separating “the effects [of the core update] from the ranking issue.”

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It’s Not Yet the Time To “Make Any Call” About the Google Search Update Effects

The SERP volatility or fluctuations experienced by many today are not dependent on how well their content aligns or deviates from the core update. It’s too early to make conclusions.

Once the core update is complete, then we can “make any call about its effect,” Mueller comments.

The majority of websites “don’t need to worry” when it comes to core updates. Some updates may even go unnoticed by other websites.

So, what can you do to ensure your content attracts organic search traffic during and after the rollout?

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What Your Business Can Do: SEO Best Practices in 2024

Time and again, Google underscores the importance of crafting content that genuinely benefits users rather than focusing solely on search engine rankings.

Higher rankings should ideally result from providing value to users.

So, apart from the basics of search engine optimization, like strategic keyword usage, here’s a breakdown of how you can align with Google’s expectations:

•  Your content should answer user intent so the audience can find value in it. 
•  Show that you have first-hand knowledge or experience with the subject.
•  Provide new information, research or analysis that stands out.
•  Craft headlines that are descriptive and helpful without being sensationalized. 
•  Make it clear who created the content. Use bylines and author bios.
•  Explain how the content was created, especially if it involves automation or AI. 
•  Your site should be user-friendly, well-structured and secured.
•  Don’t write about topics just because they’re trending. Stick to your expertise.

To further simplify and reiterate, remember the three pillars important to Google:

•  Who: Clearly identify who is behind the content. Authorship adds credibility.
•  How: Explain how the content was created, especially if AI or automation played a role.
•  Why: Your primary reason for creating content should be to serve your audience, not just to rank on Google.

You want to regularly take a fresh look at your content. Is it informative, well-made and something your audience would truly benefit from? Get some outside feedback to make sure it’s hitting the mark.

If you notice a change in your organic search traffic that might be related to a core update, you can refer to Google’s guidelines.

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What About the Google Search Leak That Blew Up in May?

Is there any update from the historic leak from Google that still has part of the SEO community buzzing? 

The details are still somewhat murky. It remains that the leak suggested that Google might be experimenting with new ranking factors that prioritize user experience even more heavily than before.

It’s likewise unclear and perhaps impossible to know for sure how much of the leaked documentation influences the current core update and future ones.

The leak is a reminder that Google algorithm updates are always happening, and sometimes in unexpected ways.

📗Read further: Inside the Latest Google Leaks: What You Need To Know

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New Feature Announced: Google Search Console Recommendations

Earlier this month (August 5), Google also introduced a new feature in the Search Console that offers tailored recommendations to help websites optimize their presence on Google Search. 

Suggestions are drawn from various data points, like indexing, crawling and serving, which were already available in the Search Console but are now more accessible. The recommendations should help you prioritize your search optimization efforts — whether it’s adding structured data, submitting sitemaps or exploring trending queries. 

Google

Since this is an experimental feature, not all sites will see recommendations yet, but it will gradually roll out over the coming months. Over time, you can expect more refined and expanded suggestions.

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Need Help Maintaining Your Organic Search Traffic?

Core updates are primarily designed to enhance overall search quality rather than penalize websites. It’s natural to see some heightened SERP volatility in rankings as a result of these updates.

Ultimately, Google search updates aim to reward websites that consistently deliver exceptional user experiences.

At Thrive, our digital marketing strategy team helps websites like yours meet Google’s standards.

Our services are designed to keep your website aligned with search engine best practices. This Includes:

•  SEO audit
•  Local SEO
•  Technical SEO
•  Google Analytics

We also make sure your online presence is strong across the board, including social media.

Let’s talk about your digital marketing strategy — send us a message.