Google’s August 2024 Core Update: A Boost for Smaller Sites
Google has kicked off its August 2024 core update, and if you’re a fan of SEO or just someone trying to get your blog noticed, you might be interested in what’s coming. The rollout is expected to wrap up in about a month, and this time, Google’s making a play for the little guys.
What’s New?
The August 2024 update is all about shining a spotlight on content from smaller and independent websites. It’s like giving a standing ovation to the underdog at a talent show. This update follows the September 2023 helpful content update, which didn’t exactly make small publishers feel like they were on the winning team. John Mueller, Google’s Search Advocate, put it simply:
“Today, we’re rolling out the August 2024 core update for Google Search. Our goal is to improve search results by showing more content that people actually find useful and less of the stuff that’s just trying to game the system.”
So, if you’ve got a small blog or a unique website, this update might be your chance to shine. Mueller continued:
“This update reflects feedback we’ve received from creators and others. We want to connect users with a range of high-quality sites, including those from smaller and independent sources that offer genuinely useful, original content. We’re committed to this approach in future updates too.”
What Does This Mean for You?
If your site has been putting in the hard work and improving its content, this update is designed to reward that effort. It’s like getting extra credit for doing your homework. Google’s also updated its guidelines to offer more advice for those who see changes in their rankings.
You might have noticed some wild swings in search rankings. Google hasn’t officially linked this to the core update, but the chatter on Search Engine Roundtable suggests there’s been a lot of shuffling.
What Should You Do?
If you’ve been hit by previous updates and are feeling a bit lost, don’t panic. Google’s advice hasn’t changed much: focus on creating quality content for real people, not just for search engines. Here’s Google’s take:
“There’s no special trick for this update if your content is user-focused. If your rankings drop, check out our guidelines on creating helpful and reliable content.”
Recent Core Updates: A Quick Recap
- March 2024 Core Update: March 5 - April 19
- November 2023 Core Update: November 2 - November 28
- October 2023 Core Update: October 5 - October 19
- August 2023 Core Update: August 22 - September 7
- March 2023 Core Update: March 15 - March 28
And let’s not forget the spam update in between. The June 2024 spam update ran from June 20 to June 27.
Looking Ahead
With the August 2024 core update now in motion, many sites hit by previous updates are keeping their fingers crossed for a turnaround. As the update continues, we’ll see if it gives those sites the boost they’ve been waiting for.
So, keep creating that awesome content, and who knows? You might just be the next big thing on Google’s radar.