The August core update is here! Google’s documentation too Core updates has changed significantly. Let’s look at what has changed.
Here is the one archived version of the previous document.
The purpose of this update is to show more content that people actually find useful
Googles Core update announcement says they improve results by “You’ll see more content that people actually find useful and less content that feels like it was created just to perform well in search.”
Most important to know
- Most websites don’t need to worry about core updates.
- The purpose of this update is to show more content that people actually find useful.
- The changes do not target specific websites or individual pages.
- A drop of 1-2 positions is probably nothing to worry about. A larger decline requires a more in-depth assessment. (Here is mine calendar if you would like me to help here or Contact me to request an assessment of traffic decline.)
- Their decline could be because “There may be other sites on the Internet that can better help the searcher.”
- Rewriting or restructuring your content can be helpful to make it easier to read and navigate.
- You may not need to wait for another core update to perform the restore. Google says Some changes may take effect within a few days.
Added to documentation: Most websites have nothing to worry about
You added this part: “In general, most websites don’t need to worry about core updates and may not even realize that an update has occurred. However, if you have questions about a traffic change related to a core update, this page is for you.”
This part has been removed:
“There may be nothing wrong with pages that no longer work as well as they did before a core update. They have not violated our spam policies, nor have they been subjected to any manual or algorithmic action, as can occur with sites that violate these policies. In fact, there is nothing in a core update that targets specific pages or websites. Instead, the changes are about improving the way our systems evaluate content overall. These changes may result in some pages that were previously under-rewarded performing better in search results.”
Added: Changes do not apply to specific websites or individual pages
“Core updates are intended to ensure that overall we live up to our mission of presenting searchers with helpful and reliable results. These changes are general in nature and do not target any specific website or individual web page. As content on the web changes, we evaluate and update our systems to keep pace overall.”
They changed the description of how to think about core updates.
It used to be said:
“One way to imagine how a core update works is to imagine you created a list of the top 100 movies of 2021. A few years later, in 2024, the list will be updated. Of course it will change. Some new and wonderful films that have never been seen before are now being considered for inclusion. You might also re-evaluate some films and determine that they deserve a higher spot on the list than before.
The list will change, and films that were previously higher on the list moving down aren’t bad. There are just more films coming that deserve it.”
Now it says:
“One way to think about a core update is to imagine that a friend has asked you for your top food recommendations. You may have a list of your 20 favorite restaurants, but a few things have changed since you first wrote it in 2019. Some new restaurants that didn’t exist before are now candidates for your list. You might re-evaluate some restaurants and find that they move higher on the list based on how many consistently positive experiences you’ve had there, or because your friend prefers dog-friendly restaurants. The list will change, and restaurants that move down aren’t necessarily “bad”; There are just other restaurants that are in your top 20.”
My thoughts on this change. The movie example always confused me. I mean, of course, that the best films will change between 2021 and 2024. The restaurant example makes more sense. As more information becomes available and more people share what they find helpful, your idea of the best places to eat will change.
Added: Check for a traffic drop in Search Console
For a more in-depth assessment, link to their site create helpful content to help you self-assess your website overall. They make it a point to say “not just individual pages.”
But then they ask us to rate the sites that were most affected. This part seems important to me: “For example, there may be other sites on the web that can better help the searcher.”
How can Google determine if content is helpful?
Google has repeatedly emphasized the importance of helpfulness for two years. The helpful content system, which is now part of the core systems, was announced almost exactly two years ago.
If you’re having trouble understanding how an algorithm can determine whether something is helpful, I recommend you read this article I recently wrote about Navboost. Google has been using this system for years. It stores every query searched along with the actions a searcher took. Did they return to search results quickly? Did they stay on this site for a long time before coming back? Or did they not return at all?
They’ve spent years learning to use these signals (and probably others) to determine what content people are likely to find helpful. I don’t think these are direct signals. It’s not like they’re saying, “Ah, a lot of people click on this, so it’s probably the most helpful.” Rather, if a lot of people click on a result, they can use it as an example of a helpful page that can then be used to fine-tune the results Machine learning systems that predict usefulness can be used.
With the March 2024 core update, Google announced that they brought new signals to the core algorithm. There are no longer just a helpful content system. Rather, the system evolved with the March core update and made usability part of the core algorithm. I expect the August core update to push them further in their ability to predict what a searcher is likely to find helpful.
How can you make your content more helpful? Put yourself in the shoes of a searcher. Look at the search results. What would you click on and find satisfying and helpful? How can you offer something that people would click on and engage with?
Added: Judging a large position drop
Google says a drop of a few positions is probably not a cause for concern. A drastic drop could be a sign that the core update didn’t treat your site well.
Google says:
- Don’t just look at individual pages. Evaluate your website overall.
They suggest we use theirs Guide to creating helpful content to help you evaluate your website. (Probably the document I’ve spent the most time on over the last few years!)
There’s also advice to avoid quick changes like removing page elements that you’ve heard have a negative impact on SEO.
- “Focus on making changes that make sense for your users and are sustainable in the long term.”
- “Think about how you can meaningfully improve your content.” – They recommend rewriting or restructuring to make it easier for the audience to read and navigate the page. That’s interesting! I have always maintained that “skimmability” is important.
- Deleting content is the last resort. Deleting entire sections can be a sign that these sections were created for search engines first, not people. In this case, her Do recommend deleting this content and say it can help the good content on your site perform better.
Changed: How long does recovery take?
They changed “How long does recovery take” to “How long does recovery take?”How long does it take for an effect to appear in search results?“.
This part is really interesting! It used to say: “Broad core updates typically occur every few months…” But now it says: “Once you’ve made improvements, it may take some time before you see an effect in search results: Some changes may take effect within a few daysBut It could take several months for our systems to learn and confirm that the site as a whole is now producing long-term helpful, reliable, and human-focused content. If it’s been a few months and you’re still not seeing any effect, that may mean you need to wait until the next core update.”
My opinion on this wording change:
This is exciting. I think there are two ways a website can be affected by a core update:
1) The entire website was rated as less helpful. If that’s the case, it probably won’t be considered for ranking unless it’s really clear that it’s the choice people want. If there is a sharp drop associated with the August core update, there may be issues with EEAT. I’m not talking about author biographies. Rather, the public’s perception and Google’s prediction of what is helpful may have shifted to favor reputable websites or perhaps companies with a real presence. Recovering in such a situation can be difficult (but not impossible as I have seen many websites recover after a major core update impact).
2) Google’s predictions about what content might be helpful have shifted somewhat. If you only see a drop on a few pages or just a few ranking positions, this is probably the case may Fix. You need to figure out how to make your site truly more helpful than what Google currently ranks.
If your traffic has dropped, you can book a traffic drop assessment using this link and Ask me to check your website and give suggestions for improvement.
Also new:
FAQ
If you make changes to your content now, will they be “counted” in this new core update?
Before I would have said no! In the past, with core updates, you had to wait until another core update was applied before you could see any improvement again. However, Google’s wording suggests that their systems are dynamically changing and learning what content people are likely to find helpful.
Their document states that some changes could take effect in a few days. If traffic drops significantly, you may still need to wait for a core update to occur.
How can you determine if your website is improved/degraded by the core update?
It is difficult to determine whether you are affected until a few days have passed. Google recommends waiting a week before deciding whether you are affected. In my experience with previous core updates, most affected websites clearly feel the impact on launch day. But we’ll see if that’s the case with this one.
If about a week has passed and you are a ChatGPT user, you can try this GPT I created Scatterplot of your keyword rankings. Prompt “How do I use this?” for instructions.
When will the update be completed?
Google says the August core update will take up to a month to complete. This means that completion should take place around September 15, 2024.
Are sites affected by previous updates or recovered from the September Helpful Content update healthy again?
We’ll see! I’ll watch closely 🤞.
Hopefully you’re doing well with this update! It will be interesting to see how this develops.
Mary
resources
Buy my book on Amazon: SEO in the Age of Gemini: The Story of How AI Changed Google Search Or you can copy it as a Google Doc and edit it as you go through it.
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