The Future of SEO: Adapting to Google’s Core Updates

This August, Google Search released its latest core update. Rolled out over a month, this update is designed to enhance the quality of search results by prioritising genuinely valuable content over material created solely to rank well. While Google’s help page offers detailed guidance, we've put together a quick overview to equip you with the key essentials you need to know.

What is a Google Core Update?

A core update is a change Google implements to its search algorithm in order to refine and improve the way it understands and ranks its search results. Its goal is to improve search results and enhance the overall search experience. Core updates are crucial because they significantly affect website rankings. As a result, they can both boost rankings and cause disruptions, prompting digital marketing professionals to reevaluate their strategies and revisit their existing work.

August 2024 Core Updates

As mentioned previously, the update aims to prioritise genuine usefulness of the content, and its features are aligned with this goal:

Quality is Top Priority 

Google will up its efforts to showcase content that is genuinely informative and valuable. This will be done at the cost of content that is created solely to rank well in search results. 

Listening to Feedback

The update caters to and reflects the feedback received from various stakeholders in an effort to improve the search experience.

User Experience Emphasis 

Factors such as page loading speed, site navigation, and mobile friendliness will contribute greatly to site rankings. 

Better Guidance

The Core Updates Help Page has been revised to offer better support. Documentation is now more structured for clarity, FAQs are redirected, and the experimental Notes documentation is discontinued. Additionally, the updated Core Update Guidance makes it simpler to track changes in traffic or ranking positions.

Its Implications

Digital marketing is an ever- evolving field, and Google core updates are part and parcel of its ongoing changes. Here are a few ways you can expect to be affected:

Ranking Fluctuations

SEO experts will need to closely monitor SERP rankings since the content evaluation criteria has evolved. Websites with authentic, high-quality content are likely to experience improved visibility, while those relying on superficial tactics may encounter challenges.

Opportunity for a come-back

Google will be recognising and rewarding improvements made over a period of time, so struggling websites could see a chance of recovery. 

Strategy Revision 

This update will force many to revisit and rethink their SEO strategy, one that is not just catering towards keywords, but rather actually useful content. 

Your Next Steps 

To begin with, it is recommended to familiarise with the latest information on the Core Updates Help Page. The guidance detailed there serves as a valuable resource to thoroughly understand the changes. Next, a key action to incorporate into your long-term strategy is to create helpful and people-first content.

The latest update has made it clear that 'content is king,' so focus on delivering value to your users rather than just catering to search engine algorithms. In the long run, valuable, engaging, and informative content is likely to perform better and bring greater returns.