August 2024 Core Update
Key Changes in Google’s Core Update Documentation
The August core update has arrived, bringing some notable changes to Google’s documentation on core updates. Let’s break down what’s new.
Google’s Goal: More Useful Content Google’s core update announcement highlights their ongoing effort to improve search results by prioritizing content people genuinely find useful, while reducing visibility of content created solely to perform well in search rankings.
Key Points to Know
- Most sites don’t need to worry: This update is not targeting specific sites or pages. It’s focused on improving the relevance and helpfulness of content.
- Expect small ranking changes: A drop of 1-2 positions isn’t necessarily a concern, but a significant drop warrants a closer look. If needed, I’m available for traffic drop assessments.
- Reason for ranking drops: Your content might be outranked by other pages that better meet user intent.
- Recovery doesn’t require waiting for the next core update: Google states that some changes can take effect within days, so improvements may be reflected before the next core update.
What’s New in Google’s Documentation
- “Most Sites Don’t Need to Worry”
Google has added the reassurance that most websites won’t need to worry about core updates:
“Most sites don’t need to worry about core updates and may not even realize one has happened. However, if you notice traffic changes, this page is for you.” - Removal of Old Language
They removed a portion stating that content drops aren’t necessarily due to violations of Google’s policies:
“There might be nothing wrong with pages that may not be performing as well… Instead, the changes are about improving how our systems assess content overall.” - Clarified Targeting
New language reinforces that core updates don’t target specific sites or pages:
“These changes are broad and don’t target specific sites or individual web pages.” - Updated Core Update Analogy
The previous example comparing core updates to refreshing a top 100 movie list has been replaced with a clearer analogy about restaurant recommendations, emphasizing that rankings change as new information becomes available, but lower rankings don’t imply poor quality.
Important New Details
Check for Traffic Drops in Search Console:
Google now encourages monitoring traffic in Search Console, suggesting that ranking drops may be due to other pages providing more helpful content.
How Google Measures Helpfulness
Google has been focused on helpful content for two years. Their system monitors user behavior to assess content usefulness—whether users quickly return to search results, how long they stay on a page, and more. These patterns help Google’s machine learning systems predict what content is helpful.
Evolving Algorithm Signals
The March 2024 core update introduced new signals to the core algorithm, enhancing Google’s ability to predict what content is most likely to satisfy searchers. The August core update builds on this progress, moving Google closer to more accurately predicting helpful content.
Making Your Content More Helpful
Put yourself in the searcher’s shoes. Look at what appears in search results and think: what would be the most satisfying and useful content to click on? Offer that, and focus on engagement.
Assessing Large Ranking Drops
If your site experienced a large drop, assess your site overall, not just individual pages. Google advises against quick fixes—focus on meaningful, sustainable changes that benefit users.
Recovery Timeline
Google has rephrased its guidance on recovery time, stating that changes to search rankings can be seen within days or might take several months, depending on how quickly Google’s systems learn that your content has improved.
Final Thoughts
- Immediate recovery is possible: You no longer need to wait for the next core update for improvements to take effect.
- Keep content user-focused: Skimmability and ease of navigation can improve user experience, which may help rankings.
- Avoid drastic removals: Only delete content that was clearly created for SEO purposes, as this can actually help the quality content on your site perform better.