Google launches August 2024 Core Update to enhance search result quality

Google this week announced the launch of its August 2024 core update to Google Search, marking another significant step in the company's ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of search results. This update, which began rolling out at 07:58 PDT, represents Google's commitment to showing more content that users find genuinely useful while reducing the visibility of content created primarily for search engine performance.

According to John Mueller, Search Advocate at Google Switzerland, the August 2024 core update takes into account feedback received from creators and other stakeholders over the past few months. This acknowledgment suggests that Google has been actively listening to the concerns and suggestions of the web community, potentially addressing issues that have been raised about previous updates.

One of the key objectives of this update is to improve Google's ability to connect users with a diverse range of high-quality websites, including small or independent sites that produce useful, original content relevant to users' searches. This focus on content quality and originality aligns with Google's long-standing goal of providing the most relevant and valuable information to its users.

The update also aims to better capture improvements that websites may have made since previous updates. This aspect of the core update is particularly significant for site owners and content creators who have invested time and resources into enhancing their content quality and user experience. It suggests that Google is refining its algorithms to more accurately recognize and reward positive changes in website content and structure.

Core updates, which Google typically releases several times a year, are broad, significant changes to the search engine's algorithms and systems. Unlike smaller, more frequent updates that may target specific issues or types of content, core updates can potentially impact the rankings of websites across various topics and industries.

The timing of this update, coming in mid-August, is noteworthy as it falls outside the typical schedule of core updates that Google has followed in recent years. This departure from the usual pattern may indicate a more responsive approach to implementing improvements based on user and creator feedback.

As with previous core updates, Google emphasizes that most websites do not need to worry about these changes and may not even notice them. However, for sites that experience significant changes in traffic or rankings following the update, Google has updated its help page on core updates to provide more in-depth guidance.

This updated help page offers insights into how core updates work and what site owners can do to assess and potentially improve their content. One key piece of advice is to avoid making hasty, "quick fix" changes in response to ranking fluctuations. Instead, Google encourages site owners to focus on making meaningful, sustainable improvements to their content that prioritize user experience and value.

The help page uses an analogy of updating a list of top restaurant recommendations to explain how core updates function. Just as new restaurants may enter the scene and existing ones may improve or decline in quality, the web is constantly changing. Core updates aim to reassess the entire landscape of content to ensure that the most relevant and high-quality pages are being presented to users.

For site owners concerned about potential impacts, Google recommends using Search Console to analyze traffic patterns. The company advises waiting at least a full week after the completion of a core update before conducting a thorough analysis. This allows time for the update to fully roll out and for traffic patterns to stabilize.

When assessing the impact of a core update, Google suggests comparing data from the week following the update to a week before the update began. This comparison should focus on top pages and queries, noting any significant changes in rankings. Small drops in position (e.g., from position 2 to 4) are generally not cause for concern, while larger drops (e.g., from position 4 to 29) may warrant a deeper assessment.

For sites experiencing substantial ranking declines, Google provides a self-assessment questionnaire to help evaluate content quality. This assessment encourages site owners to objectively review their content, considering factors such as expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (E-A-T).

It's important to note that changes made in response to a core update may not yield immediate results. Google states that while some changes can take effect within a few days, it may take several months for its systems to fully recognize and confirm sustained improvements in content quality. In some cases, sites may need to wait until the next core update to see significant changes in their rankings.

The August 2024 core update serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of search engine optimization and the importance of consistently producing high-quality, user-focused content. As search algorithms continue to evolve, successful websites will be those that prioritize creating valuable content for their audience rather than attempting to game the system.

Key facts about the August 2024 Google core update

Launched on August 15, 2024, at 07:58 PDT

Aims to show more genuinely useful content in search results

Incorporates feedback from creators and stakeholders

Focuses on connecting users with high-quality sites, including small and independent ones

Designed to better capture recent website improvements

Updated help page provides guidance for site owners

Effects may take several days to months to fully manifest

Emphasizes the importance of sustainable, user-focused content improvements