Another Update, Another Shift
Google started its latest core update on August 15, 2024. They’re promoting it as a big improvement to search quality. As experienced SEOs, we’re skeptical of these statements.
Balancing the Search Results… Perhaps
Google states this update will offer more fair chances for smaller sites. It’s an attractive idea, but we’ve heard similar talk before. While some smaller publishers might benefit, it’s too soon to celebrate. We need to watch the actual outcomes over the next few weeks.
Quality Content: The Ongoing Refrain
Again, Google stresses high-quality, user-focused content. It’s a familiar message, but what “quality” means often changes with each update. We’re left asking: will this update reward truly valuable content, or will it just prefer a new set of ranking factors?
Site Improvements: Finally Noticed?
Google indicates that this update will better spot site improvements made since earlier updates. If accurate, this would be a welcome change, but many of us have seen promised recoveries fail to happen before. We’ll trust it when we observe steady, positive changes in our analytics.
The Uncertainty Period
With a month-long implementation, we face a time of uncertainty. It’s important to avoid quick decisions based on early changes. Instead, we should carefully examine data from Google Search Console and other tools to grasp the real impact.
More Than Just Rankings
While rankings matter, this update reminds us to consider the whole picture. Shifts in organic traffic, click-through rates, and query types will reveal more about the update’s true effect than rankings alone.
Adjusting to New Conditions
If your site experiences big changes, you might need to review your content strategy. But be careful not to overreact based on initial results. Focus on creating thorough, valuable content while watching how Google’s view of E-A-T might be changing.
Guarded Optimism
While this update could lead to fairer search results, we’ve learned to moderate our expectations. It’s a chance to reassess and improve our content, but also a reminder of how unpredictable SEO can be.
As we deal with these changes, remember that flexibility is key in our field. Let’s use this update to motivate us to improve content quality, but also to vary our traffic sources and reduce overreliance on Google’s frequently changing algorithms.
