Google’s latest Core Update is here, but what does it mean for you?
Let’s talk SEO and why Google’s August Core Update could be a game-changer for your website.
Most of your audience will use Google, so staying ahead of these updates is crucial to maintaining your website’s visibility.
Understanding Google’s Core Updates
Google’s Core Updates happen several times a year, refining how the search engine evaluates and ranks websites. These updates can shift rankings significantly, impacting your site’s visibility and, ultimately, your business’s success. Staying informed about these changes keeps you one step ahead.
Google’s August Core Update dropped on the 15th so let's dive into how your website stays on top.
Should you be worried?
As long as your website follows best practices, you’re in a good position. We expect this update to bring only moderate changes.
It's still vital to know the basics of SEO:
- High-quality content. Well-researched content that displays experience and knowledge will be rewarded.
- Keeping user intent at the front of mind. This means answering user questions with valuable content relevant to what they searched
- Technical SEO. It is important to align with Google’s technical requirements. This includes mobile optimisation and site speed
What changes has the August 2024 Google Core Update brought?
The August 2024 Google Core Update continues to prioritise content that delivers genuine value. Google now places even greater emphasis on relevance, quality, and depth, rewarding content that directly answers user queries with well-researched, detailed information. Additionally, a spotlight has been placed on user experience (UX) and engagement - sites that frustrate users with poor design or deliver a high bounce rate are likely to see their rankings suffer.
How do I know if it is affecting me?
The best option is to open Search Console and follow these steps:
- Get the dates right: Compare data from August 15th-21st (post-update) to August 8th-14th (pre-update)
- Compare performance: Review your top pages - look for either stability or improvement in traffic and rankings
- Analyse search queries: Ensure your key search queries continue to perform well. If you notice a drop, you should investigate further
How should I change my SEO strategy to align with the Core Update?
Noticing a drop in performance? Don’t stress - here’s what you can do.
Take a moment to assess what might have changed. If in doubt, sticking to the advice below is guaranteed to be rewarded:
- Centre your SEO strategy around EEAT. Google rewards content that demonstrates Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Ensure your content is backed by reputable sources, authored by credible experts, and offers real value rather than just a sales pitch.
- Optimise your site for User Experience. This includes using mobile-friendly design, well-written content, smooth user journeys, and strong editorial structures that focus on your business goals.
- Create relevant content. Your content must be directly relevant to the query the user made and your business niche. Irrelevant content confuses users and weakens your site’s authority in Google’s eyes.
- Follow the data. For all areas of marketing, including SEO, keeping a close eye on your analytics, how they change and most importantly what is changing them will steer you in the right direction for growth.
In conclusion…
While Google’s Core Updates can feel daunting, they’re ultimately about creating better experiences online. By focusing on high-quality content, user experience, and data-driven decisions, you can power through this update and continue to grow your organic traffic.
