Staying updated is a must.
Google’s core algorithm updates are big game-changers. They can either lift your website to new heights or bring it down. The Google core update August 2023 is no different. If you’re in the online world, you need to know what’s going on. Our guide is here to help. We’ve gathered insights from top sources to answer your burning questions.
What are Google Core Updates?
Google core updates, like the broad core update rolled out in March 2023 and just recently, are designed to enhance Google search by delivering more reliable and relevant information. These ranking updates can shift your website’s position in the search results, which in turn can influence the number of visitors your site receives.
What Does a Google Update Do?
A core update from Google can shake things up. It changes how websites rank in search results. It can also affect which web pages get seen more or less. The main goal is to make search better for users by showing them more useful and high-quality info.
What's the Latest Core Update in SEO?
The latest big news is the Google Core Update in August 2023. It was officially launched on 22 August and will take about two weeks to fully roll out. This is the second major update this year, following one in March.
How Often Do Google Core Updates Happen?
Google usually rolls out core updates a few times a year. But there’s no set schedule. In 2023, for example, there was a five-month gap between the March and August updates. Google also does smaller updates more often, but these aren’t considered ‘core’ updates.
What's in the Google Core Update August 2023?
The August 2023 update focuses on many parts of search ranking and the user experience. While the advice for website owners stays the same—create valuable content—the update does shake up the rankings a bit. Your website might drop in rankings, but that doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with it. It might just mean that other pages are now seen as more valuable.
Why is the Google Core Update August 2023 Important?
This update aims to make search results even better. It puts a spotlight on the quality of content and how good the user experience is. These are key things that help decide how well a website will rank in search results.
Comprehensive Round-Up from Various Sources
Here we gather insights, key takeaways, and expert opinions from a diverse range of reputable sources in the SEO and digital marketing industry. Our aim is to provide you with a holistic view of Google core update August 2023.
Technical Aspects and Website Rankings
Search Engine Journal delves into the technicalities, particularly affecting long-tail keywords. Our advice? Conduct a thorough audit of your website. This aligns with their emphasis on the update’s impact on website rankings and the need for a site audit.
Industry Impact and Volatility
Search Engine Land highlights the broad nature of the update, affecting various industries. If you’re in e-commerce or a local business, this is particularly crucial. Be prepared to adapt your SEO strategies, as they also suggest that some sectors may experience more volatility in rankings.
Immediate Effects and Backlink Quality
SERoundtable focuses on the immediate effects, observing that high-quality backlinks can mitigate the impact. This underscores the importance of a strong backlink profile, which is a point also emphasised by SERoundtable.
Business Perspective and Mobile Optimisation
A LinkedIn article by AuspiciousSoft provides a business-centric view, stressing the importance of mobile optimisation. Our take? Ensure your website is mobile-friendly to stay competitive, aligning with their advice on adapting digital marketing strategies.
Actionable Insights and User Experience
The Hoth offers a practical guide, focusing on user experience and page speed. These are key areas to focus on for better SERP performance, and it’s also what The Hoth recommends in their step-by-step guide.
Historical Context and E-E-A-T
Stan Ventures discusses the historical evolution of Google’s updates, pointing out the continued focus on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Align your content with these principles, as they also suggest the need for ongoing education in SEO.
Frequency of Updates
Stan Ventures discusses the historical evolution of Google’s updates, pointing out the continued focus on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Align your content with these principles, as they also suggest the need for ongoing education in SEO.
Content Quality and User Experience
Click Intelligence and Delante both stress the importance of high-quality content and a good user experience. Avoid ‘black hat’ SEO techniques and focus on ethical practices for sustainable growth, as they also advise.
Long-term Strategy and Best Practices
emfluence advises against panicking and emphasises the need for a long-term SEO strategy. If you’ve been following best practices, you’re likely on the right track, which is reassuring advice also provided by emfluence.
How to Check If You've Been Affected by Google Core Update August 2023 and How to Recover
Let’s dive into how you can figure out if Google’s August 2023 Core Update has affected your website, and what steps you can take to recover.
Monitor Traffic
The first sign that you’ve been impacted by a Google update is often a sudden alteration in website traffic. Google Analytics is your best mate here. Don’t just skim the surface; delve deep into the data. Examine metrics like user engagement, bounce rate, and session duration alongside the traffic. A decline in these metrics could indicate that the update has adversely affected your site. If you notice such changes, don’t panic. This is your cue to commence a thorough investigation into what might have gone awry and how to rectify it.
Check Rankings
Your website’s position in the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages) is another critical indicator of how you’ve been affected by an update. Utilise robust SEO tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs to track your keyword rankings. If you observe a significant drop in rankings for multiple keywords, especially those that drive the most traffic to your site, it’s a red flag. However, bear in mind that fluctuations in rankings are normal to some extent, so don’t make hasty decisions based on short-term changes.
Audit Your Website
An SEO audit functions as a diagnostic test for your website’s health. It assists you in identifying weaknesses that could be affecting your performance. This is where you scrutinise every element— from meta descriptions and title tags to site speed and mobile-friendliness. Utilise tools like Screaming Frog or Sitebulb for a comprehensive audit. The insights you gain will serve as your roadmap to recovery, guiding you on what requires fixing and what’s already functioning well.
Focus on Content
Content is king, and Google’s EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) guidelines are the royal decree. If you’ve been hit by the update, audit and update your existing content. Does it provide genuine value to the reader? Is it accurate and up-to-date? Update any outdated content and ensure that new content aligns with EEAT guidelines. Utilise tools like Grammarly or Copyscape to ensure originality and quality. Remember, quality trumps quantity every time.
Backlink Analysis
Backlinks are the backbone of your website’s authority. However, not all backlinks are created equal. Utilise tools like Ahrefs, Majestic or Moz to conduct a backlink analysis. Identify and remove any low-quality or spammy backlinks that could be dragging your site down. Reach out to the website owners for link removal or utilise Google’s Disavow tool as a last resort. Focus on building high-quality backlinks that align with your content and add value to your readers.
Consult an SEO Specialist
If all else fails, or if you’re uncertain how to proceed, consult an SEO specialist. SEO is a long-term game, and sometimes you require expert guidance to navigate through the complexities. An experienced SEO consultant can provide tailored strategies that align with your business goals and assist you in recovering from any negative impacts of the update. If you find yourself in need of professional advice about SEO, don’t hesitate to call us at 0333 320 8099 for a personalised SEO consultation tailored to your specific needs.
Understanding Google’s core updates, especially the latest one in August 2023, is important for anyone involved in the digital marketing and SEO landscape. These updates can significantly impact your website’s performance, so staying informed and adapting your strategies accordingly is key to maintaining or improving your SERP rankings.
