Google Kicks Off August Core Algorithm Update

Google has started rolling out its August 2024 Core Update, and as always, the SEO community is buzzing with speculation, analysis and some concern. These broad core updates are Google’s way of refining its search engine to improve the quality and relevance of search results — but this one in particular aims to address the feedback Google received from previous months.

Let’s break down just what exactly this August Core Update means, what we’re seeing early on and how it could impact your site’s performance.

What’s New in the August 2024 Core Update?

Google’s August Core Update aims to improve its algorithm’s understanding of user search intent to deliver more relevant results. 

As John Mueller, Search Advocate at Google, stated in an official Google blog post, “This update is designed to continue our work to improve the quality of our search results by showing […] less content that feels like it was made just to perform well on Search.” The goal is to promote useful content — particularly from small and independent site owners who often face difficulty ranking against giants in the space. 

However, soon after launching this core update, Google confirmed an unrelated ranking bug that caused significant volatility in search rankings across various industries. Fortunately, it has since been patched — but not without causing quite the commotion for businesses and the SEO community.

What Are We Seeing Early On?

Before Google caught and fixed the ranking bug, many websites were experiencing wild fluctuations in their rankings. Some saw sharp declines, while others enjoyed unexpected boosts. 

Less than a day after the update launched, Google had identified the issue and began working to fix it, writing, “We’ve identified the root cause and this issue is unrelated to the ongoing core update rollout.” Just 4 days later, on August 20th, Google finally fixed the bug and announced there would be no further updates.

The rankings should stabilize as the update continues to roll out, but some volatility is always to be expected with these large core updates. This may make it difficult to distinguish between the impacts of the bug fix and the core update. However, it’s important to remember that some fluctuations are normal, as Google recalibrates its algorithms to reward content that aligns more closely with search intent and quality standards.

What’s Next?

As the August 2024 Core Update continues to roll out, it’s crucial for site owners and SEO pros to closely monitor their site’s performance. The initial volatility caused by the ranking bug may have led to confusion, but now that it’s been resolved, the real effects of the core update should start to become clearer.

It’s also worth noting that Google’s updates are part of a broader, ongoing process to improve search results. This means that while the August 2024 Core Update may be the latest challenge for SEO professionals, it certainly won’t be the last. Staying adaptable, keeping up with best practices and focusing on delivering real value to users are the best ways to navigate these changes.

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