On August 15, 2024, at 07:58 Pacific Time, Google initiated its August 2024 core update, a significant change to its search algorithm aimed at enhancing the quality of search results. This development, now in its third week of rollout, has prompted search engine optimization (SEO) professionals and website owners to closely monitor its effects on search rankings and traffic.
In a related event, Barry Schwartz, a prominent figure in the SEO community, announced on August 30, 2024, that he will be interviewing Danny Sullivan, Google's Search Liaison, next week. The interview will focus specifically on the August core update, providing an opportunity for users to gain clarity on its implications.
According to the Google Search Central Blog, core updates are broad changes to Google's search algorithms and systems. These updates occur several times per year and can cause noticeable changes in how websites perform in search results. The August 2024 core update, which has been rolling out for over two weeks, is expected to have a significant impact on search rankings.
The timing of this update is notable, as it comes approximately four months after the previous core update in March/April 2024. Google typically releases core updates every few months, but the exact timing can vary. This latest update continues Google's efforts to improve its search capabilities and provide users with the most relevant and high-quality results.
Danny Sullivan, who has been Google's Search Liaison since 2017, plays a crucial role in communicating changes and updates in Google's search ecosystem to the public. His upcoming interview with Barry Schwartz presents a valuable opportunity for the SEO community to gain insights directly from a Google representative.
Barry Schwartz, known for his contributions to Search Engine Land and his own website Search Engine Roundtable, has invited users to submit questions for the interview. This interactive approach allows the community to address specific concerns and seek clarification on various aspects of the core update.
Some of the key areas of interest that have emerged from the community include:
- Impact on Google Discover: Users have reported changes in traffic from Google Discover, a feature that recommends content to users based on their interests and search history. According to Barry Schwartz, core updates can indeed affect Google Discover traffic.
- Changes in Search Engine Results Page (SERP) features: Landon Moore, an SEO professional, inquired about potential adjustments to the frequency of SERP features like People Also Ask (PAA) and Discussions and Forums.
- Thumbnail images: Lou Martin raised a question about missing thumbnail images in search results, wondering if this issue would be resolved with the current update.
- Google Discover reshuffling: Cass Anderson inquired about potential changes to Google Discover before or during the core update.
The SEO community's response to the update and the upcoming interview highlights the significant impact that Google's core updates can have on website visibility and traffic. Website owners and SEO professionals often need to reassess their strategies following such updates to ensure their content aligns with Google's evolving quality standards.
It's important to note that Google provides general advice for websites affected by core updates. This guidance includes focusing on creating high-quality content, considering the expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (E-A-T) of the content, and ensuring technical aspects of the website are optimized.
The August 2024 core update comes at a time when the search landscape is continuously evolving. Recent developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning have led to more sophisticated search algorithms, capable of understanding user intent and delivering increasingly relevant results.
As the update continues to roll out, website owners and SEO professionals are advised to monitor their analytics closely. Changes in search rankings and traffic patterns may become apparent over the coming weeks. However, it's crucial to avoid making hasty changes based on short-term fluctuations, as the full impact of the update may not be clear until the rollout is complete.
The upcoming interview between Barry Schwartz and Danny Sullivan is scheduled for next week, though the exact date has not been specified. SEO professionals and website owners interested in submitting questions can do so by replying to Barry Schwartz's announcement on X (formerly Twitter).
Key facts
- Update start date and time: August 15, 2024, at 07:58 Pacific Time
- Expected rollout duration: Several weeks (ongoing as of August 31, 2024)
- Previous core update: March/April 2024
- Interview announcement date: August 30, 2024
- Interviewer: Barry Schwartz
- Interviewee: Danny Sullivan, Google Search Liaison
- Interview focus: Google August 2024 Core Update
- Platform for question submission: X (formerly Twitter)