In August 2024, Google rolled out a significant core algorithm update that sent shockwaves across the SEO landscape. As with every major Google core update, many websites experienced notable shifts in search rankings and organic traffic. For some, these changes brought an unexpected dip in visibility, while others saw improvements. If your website’s traffic took a hit, it’s crucial to understand what happened and how you can recover.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the SEO impact of the August 2024 core update, how to diagnose drops in traffic, and, most importantly, provide actionable steps for recovery.
Understanding Google Core Updates
Google’s core updates are broad changes to its search algorithms, designed to improve how content is ranked in search results. Unlike targeted updates, core updates don’t focus on specific elements like backlinks or page speed. Instead, they reassess the relevance and quality of the content across the web, refining how Google understands user intent and how well web pages meet those needs.
The August 2024 update was no different, causing ranking shifts across various industries. Some key aspects that Google focused on during this update include:
- Content relevance: Are pages providing comprehensive, up-to-date, and relevant information?
- E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness): How credible is the website? Are the content creators considered authoritative in their field?
- User experience (UX): Are users having a seamless, positive experience on the site, both on mobile and desktop?
- Search intent alignment: Does the content satisfy the evolving needs of users searching for particular queries?
Diagnosing Traffic Drops Post-Update
If your website’s traffic has decreased after the August 2024 core update, the first step is diagnosis. Identifying the specific cause of the drop will help you create a targeted recovery plan. Here’s a structured approach:
- Check Google Analytics and Search Console:
Begin by reviewing Google Analytics for any sudden or gradual traffic drops starting around the update’s release date. Use Google Search Console to investigate drops in search rankings or impressions. Pay close attention to specific landing pages or content types that saw the most significant changes. - Identify Keywords That Lost Rankings:
Using tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, or Google Search Console, you can track which keywords suffered significant ranking drops. Cross-reference these keywords with their associated pages to understand whether certain topics or sections of your site were disproportionately affected. - Segment by Page Type or Content Category:
Determine whether the traffic loss is site-wide or specific to certain page types. For instance, you might find that your blog posts or product pages were hit harder than your homepage or service pages. This insight will help you focus your recovery efforts more effectively. - Analyze Competitors:
Look at competitors who gained visibility during the update. What type of content are they ranking for? Are they delivering more comprehensive, authoritative, or user-friendly content? These insights will give you clues on how to refine your approach.
Creating a Recovery Plan
Once you’ve diagnosed the drop, it’s time to create a comprehensive recovery plan to regain lost visibility and rankings. Here are the key steps:
1. Content Audit and Improvement
Perform an in-depth audit of your existing content to ensure it aligns with Google’s new expectations. Consider these aspects:
- Relevance: Is your content still relevant? Ensure that information is up to date, especially for time-sensitive industries like healthcare, finance, or tech.
- Depth: Google values content that thoroughly addresses a topic. Review your posts and pages to see if you’ve provided enough context, examples, and explanations.
- E-E-A-T Compliance: Enhance your content to reflect Google’s focus on Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Showcase credentials, add author bios, and cite authoritative sources.
2. Enhance User Experience (UX)
User experience has become increasingly important in core updates. Google’s algorithm now factors in how easily users can navigate your site, page load times, and mobile responsiveness.
- Mobile Optimization: Ensure your site is fully responsive and works seamlessly across different devices. With mobile-first indexing, a poor mobile experience can seriously hurt your rankings.
- Core Web Vitals: Check your Core Web Vitals scores in Google Search Console. Focus on improving metrics like Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS). This will not only help with SEO but also improve the overall user experience.
3. Address Search Intent
Google’s core updates often aim to better match content with user search intent. Review the search intent behind your targeted keywords:
- Informational vs. Transactional Queries: Does your content match the intent behind the keywords you’re targeting? If you’re ranking for an informational query, your content should provide detailed, value-driven information rather than a sales pitch.
- Revise or Reformat: If the intent behind key terms has evolved, adjust your content to align better. This could involve adding FAQs, instructional guides, or comparison sections to address user needs more comprehensively.
4. Diversify Content Types
Google now prefers websites that deliver diverse content formats to engage users better. Try incorporating different types of media such as:
- Videos: Tutorials, reviews, or explainer videos can enhance user engagement and attract higher dwell times.
- Infographics and Charts: For data-heavy posts, visuals can help simplify complex information, boosting both readability and shareability.
- Interactive Tools: Consider adding tools like calculators, quizzes, or other interactive elements to engage users further and keep them on your site longer.
5. Monitor, Test, and Optimize
Recovery from a core update takes time, so patience is key. After making the necessary adjustments, regularly monitor your rankings, traffic, and engagement metrics to gauge the effectiveness of your changes.
- A/B Testing: Experiment with different content formats, titles, or page designs to see what resonates better with your audience and Google’s algorithm.
- Continuous Improvement: SEO is not a one-time task. Keep your site regularly updated, and continuously refine your strategies based on performance data.
Conclusion
The August 2024 Google core update may have affected your website’s traffic, but with a strategic approach, recovery is within reach. By diagnosing the specific areas that need attention and implementing targeted improvements—whether in content, user experience, or search intent—you can regain lost visibility and even come out stronger than before. Stay committed to delivering high-quality, relevant content and providing an exceptional user experience, and you’ll be well-positioned to recover and thrive in the evolving SEO landscape.
