Current status of the ranking update
Status:
Completed
Announced by Google:
August 15, 2024
Update started:
August 15, 2024
Update completed:
September 3, 2024
Google’s August 2024 core update prioritized user-first content! It targeted over-optimized, low-value material, rewarding sites with genuine value. Amid rollout glitches, quality remains key for rankings.
Types of websites affected:
The August 2024 Core Update primarily impacted websites that focus heavily on SEO at the expense of user value. This includes sites that:
- Create content primarily to rank well in search results rather than to provide genuine value to users.
- Rely on low-value, SEO-focused material that doesn’t prioritize user experience or usefulness.
- Have not made recent improvements to their content quality or user experience.
What to Expect:
Websites affected by these updates may experience:
- Significant changes in search engine rankings, either positive or negative.
- Fluctuations in visibility and traffic, especially for sites previously hit by the September 2023 Helpful Content Update.
- Continued volatility in search rankings due to a separate search ranking glitch that is ongoing during the update rollout.
What to Address / How to Approach:
To adapt to these updates, website owners should:
- Enhance content quality: Prioritize creating genuinely useful and valuable content for users.
- Avoid over-optimization: Ensure your content serves users first and doesn’t rely solely on SEO tactics.
- Monitor search performance: Track rankings and traffic carefully, especially during the month-long rollout period.
- Implement substantive changes: If affected, focus on meaningful content improvements rather than quick fixes.
Interesting Fact 💡:
The August 2024 Core Update is unique in its dual focus on promoting high-quality content while also coinciding with an unrelated search ranking glitch that has added to the volatility of search results during the rollout.
Helpful links for this Google update
- https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2024/08/august-2024-core-update
- https://searchengineland.com/google-august-2024-core-update-rolling-out-now-445221
- https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-rolls-out-august-2024-core-update/524529/