We all know how vital search engine rankings are for businesses, especially small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With over 20 years of experience, we’ve been in your shoes, and we know how every Google update can affect your business.
Here, we’ll break down Google’s latest core update, rolled out in August 2024, and explain what it could mean for your business.
What is Google’s August 2024 Core Update?
Google’s August 2024 core update is a significant one. It rolled out over 19 days, starting on August 15 and wrapping up on September 3. The update aim is to improve the quality of Google’s search results by prioritising websites that provide genuinely useful content. So if you’re a small business or an independent publisher, this update was designed with you in mind—Google wanted to address feedback from smaller sites that felt the September 2023 update negatively impacted them.
The good news? If you’ve been focusing on delivering high-quality, helpful content, you may see an improvement in your search rankings. However, if you noticed a drop, don’t panic—there’s still time to recover, and we’re here to help you understand what you can do next.
How This Update Impacts Your Business
More Focus on Quality Content: Google’s main goal with this update is to ensure that its search results feature content that is helpful and relevant to users. If your website provides valuable information tailored to your audience, you’re in a good spot. This is particularly good news for small businesses that focus on quality over quantity in their content. Google wants to surface your expertise.
What this means for you: If your rankings improved, congratulations! Keep focusing on creating content that answers your customers’ questions and solves their problems.
Recovery from Previous Updates: If your site was hit by the September 2023 or March 2024 core updates, this latest update may offer some relief. However, it’s important to note that not all sites will recover immediately. Some may even see further ranking drops. According to feedback Google received, this update was aimed at levelling the playing field for smaller and independent sites, but the recovery is often gradual.
What this means for you: Keep an eye on your rankings over the next few weeks. Compare your traffic before and after the update. If you’re still struggling, it might be time to reassess your SEO strategy, and that’s where our team at Redpost Media can help.
The Importance of Fixing Bugs: During the first four days of this update, Google experienced a ranking bug that affected search results. If you noticed significant changes during that time, don’t worry—those fluctuations were likely due to the bug, which has since been fixed.
What this means for you: Focus on comparing your rankings and traffic from the middle of the update rollout (around August 19) onward. This will give you a clearer picture of how the update is impacting your site.
What to Do Next
Audit Your Content
Take some time to review the content on your website. Is it answering your customers’ needs? Is it informative and easy to understand? Google’s helpful content system is designed to reward websites that put users first. Avoid creating content just to rank in search engines; instead, focus on being genuinely useful to your visitors.
Revisit Your SEO Strategy
While content is king, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) remains crucial. You should continue optimising your site for keywords that are relevant to your business. However, be sure that the keywords fit naturally within your content—don’t overstuff them, as this can harm your rankings.
Track Your Performance
After any Google core update, it’s essential to monitor your site’s performance. If you see a drop in rankings, it could be a signal that your content needs improvement. Use tools like Google Analytics to track your traffic, and compare data before and after the August 2024 update to see where changes are occurring.
Consider Working with Experts
Us here at Redpost Media are specialists in helping SMEs grow through thoughtful and strategic digital marketing. Our team of marketing consultants, SEO experts, and content creators can guide you through Google’s updates and help you make the necessary changes to improve your site’s visibility.
Key Takeaways from Google’s August 2024 Core Update
- Prioritise Helpful, User-Focused Content: Google’s algorithm is designed to reward sites that offer valuable, original information.
- SMEs Have an Opportunity: The update targets small businesses and independent publishers, offering them a chance to improve their rankings if they’re producing helpful content to users.
- Recovery is Possible, But Gradual: If you were negatively impacted by previous updates, this one might offer some recovery. However, it could take time.
- Track Your Rankings Post-Update: Use data to see how the update affects your site. Don’t make hasty changes based on short-term ranking drops.
Google releases core updates every few months, so it’s important to keep improving both your website and your content. With the right strategy, your business can benefit from future updates.
If you’re unsure how to navigate this or any future Google updates, get in touch with us at Redpost Media. We’re here to support your business with expert SEO strategies, digital marketing solutions, and personalised content that helps you grow.
If you have any questions about Google’s latest update, get in touch with us today and we’ll be happy to help!