Google introduced its core update for August 2024.
This new algorithm tweak is designed to elevate high-quality content while downgrading low-value, SEO-centric material in search results.
The update was publicized on social media and detailed in a blog post by Google.
Google Search Central (@googlesearchc)
Today we released the August 2024 core update. It continues our work to improve the quality of our search results by showing more content that people find genuinely useful and less content that feels like it was made just to perform well on Search.
— August 15, 2024
Key Details About the August Core Update
- Google core updates aim to highlight content that is genuinely helpful to users.
- These updates target material created primarily to rank well in search results rather than provide actual value.
- Google has taken recent feedback from content creators and other stakeholders into account.
- The company remains dedicated to showcasing high-quality content from diverse sources, including smaller, independent websites.
- The update is designed to better reflect positive changes made by websites.
Extended Implementation Period
According to the Google Search Status dashboard, the complete rollout of this core update may take up to one month. This gradual rollout is typical for significant updates, allowing the changes to propagate across Google’s extensive index.
Guidance for Webmasters
In conjunction with the core update, Google has shared its help documentation on core updates. This guidance provides detailed information for website owners and SEO professionals who may notice changes in their search rankings following the update.
Industry Implications
Core updates often disrupt search engine results pages (SERPs) across various industries. Google doesn’t offer quick fixes for ranking drops but emphasizes creating quality, original content. SEOs and site owners should monitor their metrics and align their content with Google’s emphasis on user value during the rollout.
Updated Core Update Guidance
With the August 2024 core update, Google has also revised its guidance on core algorithm updates. The new document offers more actionable advice for website owners and SEO professionals affected by these updates. Key changes in the guidance include:
- New sections on using Search Console to assess traffic drops and evaluate significant position changes.
- Advice on making substantial content improvements over quick fixes.
- Expectations for the time required to see ranking changes after implementing improvements.
- Removal of some explanatory content about the nature of core updates.
New: Unrelated Search Ranking Glitch
As the August 2024 core update continues to roll out, Google has confirmed a separate issue affecting search rankings, unrelated to the core update. Google has identified the root cause and is actively working on a fix, expecting to provide an update within 12 hours. This developing story is being covered live.
