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.

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The best option is to open Search Console and follow these steps:

  1. Get the dates right: Compare data from August 15th-21st (post-update) to August 8th-14th (pre-update)
  2. Compare performance: Review your top pages - look for either stability or improvement in traffic and rankings
  3. Analyse search queries: Ensure your key search queries continue to perform well. If you notice a drop, you should investigate further
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How do I know if it is affecting me?

The best option is to open Search Console and follow these steps:

  1. Get the dates right: Compare data from August 15th-21st (post-update) to August 8th-14th (pre-update)
  2. Compare performance: Review your top pages - look for either stability or improvement in traffic and rankings
  3. Analyse search queries: Ensure your key search queries continue to perform well. If you notice a drop, you should investigate further
An iPad showing Google Search Console, open on the Overview tab.

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. Learn more about getting the most from your data in this blog.

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. 

 

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