In August 2024, Google began rolling out a significant core update that has once again shaken the digital landscape. These core updates, which Google deploys multiple times a year, are part of its ongoing effort to improve search quality and ensure users are provided with the most relevant, reliable content. For webmasters, SEO experts, and site owners, these updates often result in ranking fluctuations, making it essential to understand the impact and adjust strategies accordingly.

What Is a Google Core Update?

Core updates are changes to Google’s algorithms and systems that determine how websites are ranked in search results. While Google releases smaller updates frequently, core updates are more comprehensive and affect a wide range of websites. They are designed to improve the relevance and quality of search results based on user feedback, testing, and changes in search behavior.

Google typically announces core updates in advance or during the rollout, which can take weeks to fully implement. During this period, websites may experience significant ranking shifts—some may see improvements, while others might experience declines.

The August 2024 Core Update: Key Highlights

The August 2024 Core Update began rolling out on August 14 and is expected to take several weeks to complete. As with previous updates, Google has not provided specific details about what changes were made to the algorithm. However, here are some of the key aspects that experts are observing:

1. Focus on Content Quality: Google continues to emphasize the importance of high-quality, helpful content. Sites that provide clear, accurate, and comprehensive information are likely to benefit, while those with thin, poorly written, or misleading content may see a decline.
2. Impact on YMYL Sites: “Your Money or Your Life” (YMYL) websites, which cover topics related to finance, health, and safety, are often heavily impacted by core updates. Google holds these sites to higher standards, ensuring that the information provided is accurate and trustworthy.
3. E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness): The E-A-T framework remains critical in the wake of the update. Websites that demonstrate expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness, particularly in YMYL sectors, are more likely to rank well. This means that updating credentials, citing reputable sources, and demonstrating authority in your field are crucial for maintaining or improving rankings.
4. Technical SEO Factors: While content quality is essential, technical SEO elements—such as site speed, mobile usability, and structured data—continue to play a significant role. Google’s algorithm takes these into account when determining the overall user experience and ranking results.

How to Respond if Your Site Was Impacted

If you noticed a significant drop in rankings after the August 2024 Core Update, it’s important to approach recovery strategically:

1. Conduct a Content Audit: Review your site’s content to ensure it provides value, is up-to-date, and aligns with user intent. Remove or improve low-quality pages that may be dragging your site down.
2. Improve E-A-T: Demonstrate your expertise and authority through content authored by professionals, clearly cited references, and transparent information about the authors and the website.
3. Monitor for Updates: As the update continues to roll out, rankings may continue to fluctuate. Use tools like Google Search Console and third-party SEO platforms to track changes and make data-driven decisions.
4. Focus on Long-Term Strategy: Core updates are unpredictable, and Google advises against reacting to temporary fluctuations. Instead, focus on delivering the best possible content and user experience to maintain long-term ranking stability.

The August 2024 Core Update is part of Google’s ongoing effort to improve search quality. While it’s too early to fully understand the long-term impact, sites that prioritize high-quality content, a positive user experience, and adherence to E-A-T principles are likely to fare better. SEO professionals and site owners should take a holistic approach, focusing on content quality and technical optimization to weather these updates successfully.

As always, Google advises not to panic if your rankings have been affected. Instead, use this as an opportunity to assess your site’s strengths and weaknesses and make improvements that will benefit your users in the long run.

For more detailed guidance, Google’s Search Central provides updates and recommendations for webmasters during major algorithm changes. Stay patient, stay informed, and focus on delivering the best content and experience possible.