Google’s August 2024 Core Update: How to Recover From the Update

Google has once again rolled out a major core update, the August 2024 Core Update, which has significantly impacted the SEO landscape. As with every core update, this has left many website owners and SEO professionals scrambling to understand the implications and how to respond.

This article will walk you through the timeline, the key changes, reactions from the SEO community, and what steps to take if your website has been affected.

Timeline and Rollout of the Update

When It Happened

The August 2024 Core Update began its rollout on August 15, 2024, and completed in 19 days on September 3, 2024. This update took slightly less time than some previous core updates, leaving some SEO professionals surprised by the quicker-than-expected completion.

Community Anticipation and Quick Completion

Many website owners, who had been waiting in anticipation, now face the challenge of assessing the update’s impact on their rankings. Some noticed changes in their traffic and rankings almost immediately, while others are still waiting for the full effects to become clear.

Further reading: Old vs. New SEO: Best Practices for 2024

What Changed in the August 2024 Core Update?

Focus on Content Quality

The August 2024 Core Update continues Google’s mission to deliver higher-quality, relevant content to users. This update places a special emphasis on rewarding smaller, independent websites that offer valuable, original content. It targets sites that may have been overshadowed by bigger players and mass-generated AI content in previous updates.

Previous Algorithm Issues

This core update also aims to rectify some mistakes from past updates, particularly the March 2024 Core Update, which negatively impacted many legitimate sites that followed Google’s best practices. Google has acknowledged these issues, and the August update is designed to bring a fair recovery for those sites.

How Did the SEO Community React?

Mixed Results for Websites

The reaction to the August 2024 update has been mixed. Some websites that were negatively impacted by earlier updates have seen positive signs of recovery. Others, however, have experienced little to no improvement or even further declines.

SEO experts have emphasized patience, reminding website owners that algorithm adjustments take time. While some sites are already seeing positive changes, others might need to wait for additional updates or adjustments in Google’s ranking systems.

Expert Opinions

Many SEO professionals, including Barry Schwartz, have advised website owners to avoid making hasty decisions based on early data. The update is still relatively fresh, and Google’s algorithm may take additional time to fully settle. As highlighted in some expert discussions, smaller websites are gaining traction again, benefiting from Google’s focus on useful, independent content.

What to Do If Your Website Was Affected?

Analyze the Impact

The first step in understanding how your website was impacted is to analyze traffic data using tools like Google Search Console. Pay attention to the pages that gained or lost visibility, and compare them to your site structure. URL directories may reveal whether certain sections of your site are performing better or worse.

Conduct a Content Audit

With content quality being a major focus of the update, performing a content audit is essential. Evaluate whether your content aligns with Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) guidelines. Thin or outdated content should be updated or removed to improve your overall site quality.

Stay Calm and Monitor

One of the key messages from SEO professionals is to avoid making rash decisions immediately following an update. Google’s core updates often involve fine-tuning, so a site that initially experiences a dip may recover in the coming weeks. Working with SEO consulting services can provide valuable insights and guidance during these times, helping you analyze the update’s impact and adjust your strategy accordingly without rushing into unnecessary changes.

Steps to Recover from the Core Update

Improve Content Quality

The core principle behind this update is creating helpful, people-first content. If your site has been negatively impacted, focus on improving your content according to Google’s guidelines. This involves addressing user intent, adding original research, and ensuring your content is useful.

Fix Technical SEO Issues

Technical SEO also plays a significant role in your site’s performance. Issues like site speed, crawlability, mobile-friendliness, and indexing errors should be addressed through a full technical audit. Neglecting these areas can prevent your website from recovering after an update.

Monitor Recovery Trends

Keep an eye on smaller websites and other independent platforms that have seen gains in visibility post-update. This trend suggests that well-researched, niche content may outperform large-scale, generic sites in the long run.