Google has completed its August 2024 core update, and the changes are significant. If you’ve noticed shifts in your rankings or traffic, you’re not alone. This update brings big changes to Google’s search results, especially for smaller publishers. Learn what this means and what you should do next.

Google’s August 2024 core update: What you need to know

Google’s August 2024 core update, which rolled out between August 15 and September 3, has shaken up search rankings once again. This update, which took 19 days to fully implement, introduced substantial changes to how Google ranks websites, leading to noticeable shifts in visibility for many sites.

One of the key aspects of this update is that it addresses feedback from small and independent publishers, who were disproportionately affected by the September 2023 helpful content update. This recent update was aimed at promoting useful content from smaller sites, while demoting those created solely to perform well in search results.

Ranking shifts: The impact so far

Throughout the rollout, many website owners observed a significant change in their site’s rankings. A poll conducted during this period revealed the following results:

• 44% of respondents reported a drop in rankings and traffic.
• 27% saw an increase in visibility.
• 29% experienced no change.

This data suggests that while some sites managed to recover from previous updates, many more are still struggling to regain their rankings, and some even experienced further declines. Though Google continuously tweaks its algorithm, not every site sees immediate improvements.

The first days and the ranking bug

During the initial phase of the update, a major bug disrupted search rankings. For the first four days, many site owners reported erratic ranking shifts, which Google later acknowledged as a temporary glitch. The issue was resolved after four days, so if you experienced significant changes in traffic during this time, it’s advisable to disregard them. Instead, focus on analyzing your rankings and traffic from the week following September 3 to get a more accurate assessment of how the update impacted your site.

What this means for your website

John Mueller, Google’s Search Advocate, clarified that this core update continues Google’s efforts to enhance the quality of search results by prioritizing genuinely helpful content. Small and independent publishers should particularly benefit from these changes. The update aims to surface their original content more prominently.

The update also seeks to capture improvements that websites may have made since previous updates, rewarding sites that consistently provide value to users. As always, Google’s advice remains unchanged: focus on creating useful, people-first content rather than content designed solely for search engine rankings.

What to do if your rankings dropped

If you’ve noticed a decline in your website’s rankings following this core update, there’s no need to panic. Google has reiterated that there is no specific action required for recovery. Instead, publishers should evaluate their content and ensure it’s providing real value to users. Google has updated its guidance for sites affected by core updates, offering deeper insights into how to assess the quality and relevance of content.

Although partial recoveries can occur between updates, substantial improvements typically happen following the next core update. For now, focus on continuously improving the user experience and the overall quality of your content.

Looking ahead: What you can expect

Google regularly rolls out core updates every few months. There’s always another chance for your site to recover if it was negatively impacted by the August 2024 update. The key takeaway is to maintain a focus on providing high-quality, useful content. Not only will this help your site’s Google rankings, but it will also enhance the experience for your audience.

While no feedback form will be provided for this update, the best course of action is to monitor your site’s performance, remain patient, and continue to make improvements. This update may have brought challenges, but staying focused on long-term content quality will ultimately lead to better results.