Each Google Core update is an opportunity to reevaluate your SEO strategies and optimize your online presence. On September 3rd, the August 2024 Core update completed its rollout, leaving SEO professionals wondering what the update really did for websites. If you’re looking for insights into the August 2024 core update and how it impacts your website’s rankings, you’re in the right place.
Our SEO team at Now Media Group stays up to date on the latest Google updates along with the things you need to know about digital marketing. If you’re looking for a digital marketing agency, contact us today by calling (858) 333-8950.
August 2024 Core Update
Google’s Core updates are designed to improve search result quality and relevancy. The August 2024 Core Update, like previous updates, focuses on refining how the search engine evaluates content, prioritizing high-quality, relevant pages while lowering the rankings of sites that don’t meet its criteria.
The Google Core updates don’t target specific websites or industries. Instead, they aim to improve the overall search experience, making it easier for users to find valuable information. As a result, some sites may experience noticeable ranking changes—both positive and negative.
What Changed from the August Core Update?
While most SEOs were hopeful that those negatively impacted by the September 2023 helpful content update would see positive changes, it doesn’t seem that many got the results they were looking for. According to a poll done by SEO Round Table, the majority of votes went toward seeing negative results:
- 44% said My Rankings/Traffic Are Down (total votes 1,583)
- 27% said My Rankings/Traffic Are Up (total votes 993)
- 29% said No Change (total votes 1,038)
Of course, there will be websites that saw improvements, but not like many were hoping for.
August 2024 Core Update Details
When the rollout first began, Google stated on its blog:
“Today, we launched our August 2024 core update to Google Search. 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.
This latest update takes into account the feedback we’ve heard from some creators and others over the past few months. As always, we aim to connect people with a range of high-quality sites, including “small” or “independent” sites that are creating useful, original content on relevant searches. This is an area we’ll continue to address in future updates. This update also aims to better capture improvements that sites may have made, so we can continue to surface the best of the web.
We’ve also updated our help page about core updates, which includes more in-depth guidance for those who may see changes after an update.”
Adapting to Core Updates: Best Practices
Navigating the aftermath of a core update requires a proactive approach. By focusing on what Google prioritizes—quality content, user experience, and site structure—you can ensure your website is well-positioned for future success.
Prioritize Content Quality
Google has made it clear that high-quality content is critical. Make sure your website content is informative, accurate, and engaging. It should answer users’ queries effectively and offer a clear value proposition. Here are some ways you can improve your content:
- Update Old Pages: Refresh outdated content to reflect current trends and information.
- Use Data and Insights: Back up your claims with credible sources, data, and research to increase trust.
- Avoid Thin Content: Thin or repetitive content is often penalized. Ensure each page provides unique value to users.
Improve Your E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
Demonstrating your site’s expertise and trustworthiness is now more important than ever. You can build E-E-A-T by:
- Featuring Expert Authors: Clearly display the qualifications of your content authors, especially on YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) topics.
- Earning High-Quality Backlinks: Links from authoritative sites in your niche signal trust to Google.
- Transparent Information: Make it easy for users to find contact details, privacy policies, and author bios, which all contribute to trustworthiness.
Focus on User Experience
User experience has a direct impact on how Google ranks websites. Here are some UX improvements you can make:
- Page Speed Optimization: Compress images, use lazy loading, and minimize server response times to reduce page load times.Mobile-
- Friendly Design: Ensure your website is fully responsive, as mobile-first indexing is key to high rankings.
- Clear Navigation: Streamline your site structure for easy navigation. Google prioritizes user-friendly websites that are intuitive to explore.
Monitor Performance with Google Search Console
Google Search Console provides invaluable data on how the update affects your website. Use the tool to track:
- Keyword Rankings: Analyze shifts in rankings to identify content that needs optimization.
- Core Web Vitals: These metrics (loading, interactivity, and visual stability) are crucial in the user experience.
- Search Performance: Look for patterns in click-through rates and impressions to fine-tune your strategy.
Why Partner with Now Media Group?
Staying on top of core updates and maintaining SEO success can be a daunting task. That’s where Now Media Group comes in. With our deep understanding of SEO trends and Google’s constantly changing algorithms, we can help your website thrive, even in the wake of major updates like the August 2024 Core Update.
How We Can Help:
- Comprehensive SEO Audits: We identify areas of improvement and provide actionable recommendations.
- Content Optimization: Our team ensures your website content meets Google’s updated standards for quality and relevance.
- Technical SEO Expertise: We improve site structure, mobile-friendliness, and speed to enhance user experience.
- And more!
Ready to Future-Proof Your SEO Strategy?
Don’t let Google’s algorithm changes leave you behind. Contact Now Media Group today to ensure your website stays at the top of search results. Our proven SEO strategies will help you navigate core updates with confidence.
Call us now at (858) 333-8950 to discuss how we can help you achieve your SEO goals.