The SEO landscape has been significantly altered by Google’s August 2024 Core Update, which rolled out from August 15 to September 3, 2024.

Google’s August 2024 Core Update is a major change in how Google judges content, focusing on rewarding websites with helpful, high-quality information. This update is distinct from previous ones, as it doesn’t target specific issues like spam or backlinks. Instead, it focuses on rewarding websites that provide high-quality, user-centric content.

As the dust settles, some websites have seen major changes in their traffic and rankings. For those affected, understanding the specifics of this update and taking the right recovery steps is crucial.

This guide offers actionable tips and insights to help your website recover and set it up to not just regain its footing but thrive!

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Understanding Google’s August 2024 Core Update

The August 2024 Core Update is a broad and comprehensive update that impacts all types of content, regions, and languages.

Unlike previous updates focused on specific issues like spam or backlinks, this one primarily rewards websites that deliver genuine, helpful, and user-centric content.

According to Google, the emphasis is on providing high-quality, authoritative, and relevant information. Hence, the update focuses on overall content quality, experience, and user satisfaction, aligning with E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) principles.

Data Insight: Reports from SEO platforms such as SEMrush and Ahrefs indicate a substantial fluctuation in SERP (Search Engine Results Page) rankings for websites across various industries, suggesting the update’s broad impact on diverse content types.

Smaller, niche websites with highly specialized content appear to have benefited the most, while sites with generic or thin content have seen significant declines in traffic.

How to Check If Your Website is Affected

To build an effective recovery strategy, start by identifying how the update impacted your site. Use Google Search Console and Google Analytics to analyze traffic patterns, changes in ranking, and any particular pages that were affected.

Look for trends that indicate where and how your site was impacted. For example, if you see a sudden drop in traffic on a particular page or set of pages starting from mid-August, this is a strong signal that those pages did not meet the quality criteria set by the update.

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Core Recovery Strategy: Improving Content Quality

To align with Google's new guidelines, you must focus on enhancing the quality and relevance of your content.

Begin with a comprehensive content audit to identify pages that are outdated, thin, or not user-centric. Content needs to be genuinely helpful, adding value by answering specific queries or solving user problems.

Steps to Follow

1. Refresh and Expand Content: Update outdated sections with the latest data, research, and expert opinions. Include well-researched statistics, case studies, or real-world examples to back your claims. This will not only improve the relevance but also establish authority.
2. Consolidate Low-Quality Pages: If certain pages are beyond improvement, consider merging them with more comprehensive, high-quality pages to avoid content cannibalization and thin content issues.
3. Enhance User Experience: Ensure your content is visually appealing, easy to read, and optimized for both desktop and mobile. Engaging content paired with a seamless user experience can increase dwell time and reduce bounce rates, signaling quality to Google.‍

‍Example: If you have a blog post about "Healthy Diets for 2024," consider including recent studies and expert interviews from this year. Adding sections like "The Rise of Plant-Based Diets in 2024," supported by authoritative sources, can provide valuable insights and keep your content relevant and engaging.

Other Recovery Strategies for Google Core Update 2024

1. Leveraging Google Discover and Featured Snippets

Google Discover and featured snippets are essential for driving organic traffic. The August 2024 update has significantly impacted how content appears in these areas.

If you’ve noticed changes in your site’s Discover traffic or snippet presence, here are some specific strategies to help you adapt:

• Google Discover: Use high-quality images, keep content relevant to current trends, and ensure mobile optimization. According to a Search Engine Journal study, content that ranks well on Discover often includes timely topics with engaging visuals and concise summaries.
• Featured Snippet: Use structured formats like bullet points, tables, and Q&A sections. Directly answer common user queries in a concise manner, and back your content with data or examples to increase the chances of getting featured.

Pro Tip: To enhance your chances of appearing in Google Discover, focus on creating visually appealing content with high-quality images and engaging headlines. Content that resonates with current trends and provides value to users is more likely to be featured.

2. Addressing Black Hat and Gray Hat SEO Techniques

The August 2024 update reinforces the importance of ethical SEO practices. If your site has employed questionable tactics such as cloaking, sneaky redirects, or low-quality content, it’s time to clean up.

These black hat or gray hat SEO methods can significantly harm your site’s reputation and rankings.

Practical Steps:

• ‍Audit for Cloaking and Redirects: Use tools like Screaming Frog to detect and fix any cloaking issues or sneaky redirects that may be in place. Check for any discrepancies between what users see and what search engines see.
• ‍Disavow Bad Links: If you’ve used spammy link-building strategies, use Google’s Disavow Tool to eliminate harmful backlinks that could be affecting your site's reputation.
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3. Optimizing Content for the E-E-A-T Criteria

With Google’s focus on E-E-A-T principles, optimizing for these factors is non-negotiable. Here’s how to make sure your site aligns with E-E-A-T:

• Showcase Author Expertise: Include detailed author bios, credentials, and links to authoritative content to establish credibility.
• Build Trust Signals: Incorporate customer testimonials, case studies, and high-quality outbound links to reputable sources.
• Regular Updates: Keep content fresh by regularly updating posts with the latest research, trends, and developments.

How important is E-E-A-T in the context of the August 2024 Core Update?

E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) is crucial for aligning with the August 2024 Core Update. Google prioritizes content that showcases genuine expertise and trustworthiness.

To meet these criteria, include detailed author bios, credible references, customer testimonials, and regularly update your content with the latest information and research.

This approach helps ensure that your content is perceived as valuable and authentic by Google's algorithms.

In contrast, relying on parasite SEO—which involves leveraging authoritative platforms for quick gains—may increase the risk of penalties if the content lacks originality or relevance.

Google’s algorithms are adept at detecting and penalizing such manipulative practices, which can undermine the very E-E-A-T principles you’re trying to achieve.

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How Can I Prepare for Future Google Core Updates?

Recovering from the August 2024 Core Update is not just about fixing current issues but also about future-proofing your site. After implementing these strategies, ongoing monitoring is essential to gauge effectiveness and prepare for future updates.

Use Google Search Console and analytics tools to track your site’s recovery progress and adapt as needed.

Other tips:

• Regular Content Audits: Perform audits every quarter to ensure your content remains relevant and up-to-date.
• Stay Informed: Engage with SEO communities and read industry updates to stay ahead of potential algorithm changes.
• Produce Quality Content: To prepare for future updates, focus on creating high-quality, user-centric content that aligns with Google’s evolving standards.

Building a solid foundation with valuable, authoritative content will help your site remain resilient to future algorithm changes.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)‍

1. How long does it take to recover from a Google Core Update?
‍Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the impact and the effectiveness of your recovery efforts. Some websites may see improvements within a few weeks, while others may take several months to recover fully.

2. Should I focus more on content or backlinks to recover from the August 2024 update?
‍While both are important, the August 2024 Core Update emphasizes high-quality, user-centric content. Start with content improvements and ensure it aligns with E-E-A-T principles, then focus on acquiring high-quality backlinks.

3. Can technical SEO issues affect my recovery after the update?
‍Yes, technical SEO issues like slow page speed, poor mobile optimization, or indexing problems can impact your site's performance and recovery. Conduct a technical audit to identify and resolve these issues.

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Wrapping It Up

The August 2024 Core Update serves as a critical reminder that SEO is an ever-evolving field. Recovery is possible, but it requires a data-driven, strategic approach focusing on quality, user experience, and ethical SEO practices. By following these steps and staying adaptable, your website can not only recover but also set the stage for long-term success. Call us now to learn more!