In the world of website management, traffic fluctuations are a common phenomenon. However, recently, many website owners may have noticed unprecedented fluctuations in their website traffic. These fluctuations are not coincidental but are due to an important core algorithm update implemented by Google in August 2024. This update has had a significant impact on website rankings and search results, causing anxiety among many website owners. In reality, this update is the result of Google’s continuous pursuit of providing a better user experience. Understanding the logic behind this update is crucial for website owners, as it will help them adapt to changes and potentially benefit from them.
1. Introduction to Google’s August 2024 Core Algorithm Update
Google launched a new core algorithm update in August 2024, aimed at improving the relevance and quality of search results. In this digital age, search engines have become the primary means for people to obtain information. As the world’s largest search engine, Google has been continuously improving its algorithms to ensure users can find the most relevant and useful information. This core algorithm update is a manifestation of these ongoing efforts. It not only affects website rankings but also changes how search results are presented, providing users with a higher quality search experience.
2. Update Overview
Update Timeline
This Google core algorithm update started on August 15, 2024, at 23:58 and ended on September 4, 2024, at 04:03, lasting a total of 19 days. During this period, many website owners experienced dramatic fluctuations in their website rankings. As the update concluded, these fluctuations gradually subsided, and website rankings began to stabilize. The purpose of this update was to improve the quality of search results and enhance user experience.
Notably, the duration of this update was longer than previous core updates. This could be because Google is implementing changes more cautiously to ensure the new algorithm can accurately assess the value of websites. The extended update period also gave website owners more time to observe and adapt to these changes.
Impact on Website Rankings
The impact of this update on website rankings is multifaceted. Some websites may see significant improvements in traffic and rankings, while others may suffer setbacks. This depends on the quality of the website’s content, user experience, and adherence to other SEO best practices. It’s important to understand that this update is not intended to penalize but to encourage websites to create higher quality content and provide better user experiences.
For websites that have seen a decline in rankings, this may serve as a warning, reminding them to re-evaluate their content strategy and user experience. Conversely, websites that have seen an increase in rankings may already be doing well in these areas but still have room for improvement. Either way, this update provides an opportunity for website owners to review and improve their practices.
3. Key Points of the Update
Update Goals and Motivations
Google emphasized that this update is in response to feedback from website owners, especially small and independent website owners, regarding the “Helpful Content Update” from September 2023. The main goal of the update is to boost the rankings of content that is truly helpful to users. Google aims to better meet user needs with search results and present more high-quality, original content. At the same time, this update also aims to reduce the exposure of low-quality content created solely to improve rankings. Google has also promised to help small and independent websites gain more exposure. By boosting the rankings of useful content, Google hopes to provide more valuable search results for users. This not only increases user satisfaction but also encourages more websites to create high-quality content, forming a virtuous cycle.
Impact on Small and Independent Websites
This update presents an opportunity for small and independent websites. Google has promised to continue focusing on and improving the ranking status of these websites, encouraging them to create more valuable content. This means that as long as these websites can provide high-quality, original content that meets user needs, they have the potential to achieve better rankings in search results.
This is good news for small and independent websites. In the past, they may have struggled to compete with large websites in search results due to lack of resources. But now, as long as they can focus on creating high-quality content and providing good user experiences, they have the chance to stand out in search results. This not only provides more exposure opportunities for these websites but also brings more diversity to the entire web ecosystem.
4. Analysis of Impact on Hong Kong Websites
Winners VS Losers
In this update, Hong Kong websites experienced varying degrees of impact. Some websites that were negatively affected by the September 2023 update saw a recovery in their rankings, indicating that Google is actively responding to website owners’ feedback. Many websites did not see significant improvements in their rankings, and some even experienced declines. This highlights the importance of content quality and user experience. The ranking fluctuations in the early stages of the update may have been due to temporary issues with Google’s search ranking system, which were resolved on August 19.
For Hong Kong website owners, this update provides an opportunity for re-evaluation and improvement. Those who have seen an increase in rankings should continue to maintain and improve their content quality and user experience. Those who have experienced a decline in rankings need to carefully analyze the reasons and take appropriate measures to improve.
Reasons for Ranking Fluctuations
Based on our observations and investigations, this update has had different impacts on different types of websites. Some websites that were negatively affected by the September 2023 update saw a recovery in their rankings this time. This indicates that Google is listening to website owners’ voices and making corresponding adjustments. However, for most websites, rankings did not significantly improve, and some even declined, reminding us of the importance of content quality.
The reasons for ranking fluctuations may include: insufficient content quality, poor user experience, unreasonable website structure, slow loading speed, etc. Google may also be adjusting its evaluation criteria for certain types of content, which could lead to changes in rankings.
Post-Update Data Evaluation Suggestions
Due to potential ranking fluctuations in the early stages of the update, which may have been caused by errors in Google’s search ranking system, it is recommended that website owners use data from one week after the update as a basis for evaluation. This will provide a more accurate perspective to assess the actual impact of the update on website rankings.
When conducting data evaluation, website owners should focus on the following aspects:
1. Overall traffic changes: Observe whether there are significant changes in the website’s overall traffic.
2. Keyword rankings: Check changes in rankings for important keywords.
3. Page performance: Analyze which pages show the most obvious improvement or decline in performance.
4. User behavior indicators: Pay attention to changes in user behavior indicators such as bounce rate and average session duration.
Through comprehensive data analysis, website owners can better understand the impact of this update on their websites and formulate corresponding optimization strategies.
5. Content is King, User Experience is Supreme
Creating High-Quality Content
1. Target long-tail keywords: Website owners should thoroughly research their target audience, understand their search behavior, and use relevant long-tail keywords to optimize content. This not only improves the discoverability of content but also attracts more precise traffic.
Long-tail keywords are usually longer, more specific phrases with less competition but can bring high-quality traffic. For example, instead of simply using the highly competitive keyword “running shoes,” it’s better to use a long-tail keyword like “lightweight running shoes for long-distance running.” This not only attracts a more precise target audience but also increases conversion rates.
2. Provide in-depth information: Content should delve deep into topics, providing rich information and data, and citing official authoritative sources when appropriate. This not only satisfies users’ need for knowledge but also enhances the website’s authority and trustworthiness.
In-depth content not only attracts users but also increases the time users spend on the website, which has a positive impact on SEO. For example, if you run a travel website, don’t just list the attractions of a destination; instead, provide detailed travel guides including information on transportation, accommodation, local culture, and other comprehensive information.
3. Utilize diverse content forms: In addition to text, websites should consider incorporating images, videos, infographics, and other forms of content to attract users. This not only enhances the readability and appeal of the content but also increases user engagement and retention rates.
For example, if you’re introducing a recipe, in addition to text descriptions, you can add step-by-step images or video tutorials. This not only makes the content more vivid and interesting but also helps users better understand and apply the information you provide.
Optimizing Website User Experience
1. Improve website speed: In the context of modern internet users expecting quick access to information, ensuring fast website loading speeds is crucial. This can be achieved through code optimization, image compression, using CDNs, and other methods.
Website speed not only affects user experience but is also one of Google’s ranking factors. You can use Google’s PageSpeed Insights tool to test and optimize website speed. For example, you can consider using lazy loading technology, loading content within the viewport first while deferring the loading of off-screen content, thereby improving the loading speed of the first screen.
2. Optimize website navigation: Website navigation should be intuitive and easy to understand, allowing users to easily find the information they need. This can be achieved through clear menu structures, search functionality, and internal linking.
Good navigation design can reduce user bounce rates and increase page views. For example, you can set up a clear navigation bar at the top of the website and add links to related content in the sidebar or footer. You can also implement breadcrumb navigation to help users understand their location within the website.
3. Mobile-friendly: With the prevalence of smartphones and tablets, it’s crucial to ensure that websites display and operate smoothly on mobile devices. This can be achieved through responsive design, optimized loading times, and user-friendly interfaces.
Google has implemented mobile-first indexing, which means it primarily uses the mobile version of websites for indexing and ranking. Therefore, ensuring that websites perform well on mobile devices has become particularly important. You can use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to check and improve the mobile version of your website.
Building Website Authority
1. Obtain external links: High-quality external links are an effective way to increase website authority. This can be achieved by creating valuable content, participating in industry forums, and contacting industry influencers.
External links are like recommendations for your website from other sites, which can increase your website’s credibility in the eyes of search engines. For example, you can create high-quality original content and then promote it to influencers in relevant fields through social media or email, seeking their citations and shares.
2. Participate in industry activities: Actively participating in industry-related conferences, seminars, and other events can increase brand awareness and influence.
Participating in industry activities not only helps build connections but also allows you to gain the latest industry trends and knowledge. For example, you can give speeches at industry conferences or share your expertise at seminars. These activities are often reported or shared, bringing high-quality external links to your website.
3. Collaborate with other websites: Collaborating with other websites for content or link exchange can expand your website’s exposure and build connections within the industry.
This collaboration can take various forms, such as guest posting (publishing articles on each other’s websites), jointly hosting online events or webinars, or co-producing valuable content resources. For example, if you run a healthy eating website, you can collaborate with a fitness blog to cross-post articles or jointly produce an e-book about sports nutrition. This not only brings new readers to both parties but also increases the authority of each other’s websites.
6. Optimizations That Website Owners Cannot Ignore
The Importance of Content Quality and User Experience
This update once again reminds us that content quality and user experience are indispensable parts of SEO strategy. Website owners need to prioritize these factors and incorporate them into their SEO strategies. As search engine algorithms continue to evolve, website owners need to constantly adjust their strategies to ensure their websites can adapt to these changes.
High-quality content not only attracts and retains users but also naturally gains links from other websites, which is very beneficial for SEO. For example, an in-depth industry analysis report or a comprehensive how-to guide not only meets users’ information needs but is also likely to be cited and shared by other websites.
Equally important is user experience. A website with fast loading speeds, clear navigation, and attractive design can make users more willing to stay and explore, which sends positive signals to Google. For example, you can continuously optimize website design through A/B testing to find the layout and features that best attract and retain users.
The Shift in SEO Strategy
As search engine algorithms continue to evolve, SEO strategies must adapt accordingly. Website owners should focus on creating valuable content while continuously optimizing user experience. This includes providing fast website loading speeds, intuitive website navigation, high-quality content, and mobile-friendly design. Building website authority is equally important, which can be achieved through obtaining high-quality external links, participating in industry activities, and collaborating with other websites.
under this condition, SEO is no longer just about keyword optimization and link building. Instead, it has evolved into a comprehensive website optimization process involving content strategy, technical optimization, user experience design, and other aspects. For example:
1. Content strategy: In addition to focusing on keywords, pay more attention to the depth and comprehensiveness of content. For example, create topic clusters, covering a topic comprehensively with a series of related articles. This not only provides more value to users but also establishes your authority in the field.
2. Technical optimization: Ensure that the website structure is reasonable, making it easy for search engine crawlers to understand and index your content. This includes optimizing the website’s internal link structure, using appropriate title tags and meta descriptions, and implementing structured data markup.
3. User experience design: Focus on user behavior and interaction on the website. For example, use heat map tools to understand how users browse your pages, and then optimize page layout and navigation structure accordingly.
4. Brand building: As Google increasingly values brand signals, building a strong brand image becomes more important. This can be achieved through consistent brand messaging, high-quality customer service, and active participation in social media and industry discussions.
After this Google core algorithm update, website owners should immediately review whether their website content and user experience have been affected, and start optimizing based on the latest evolving algorithm. This may include the following steps:
1. Content audit: Carefully check all content on the website to ensure it is high-quality, original, and valuable to users. Consider updating or removing outdated or low-quality content.
2. User experience evaluation: Use tools like Google Analytics to analyze user behavior and identify pages or features that may have issues. Consider conducting user tests to get direct feedback from the target audience.
3. Technical SEO check: Use tools like Screaming Frog or Semrush to conduct a comprehensive technical SEO audit to ensure there are no technical issues affecting website performance.
4. Mobile optimization: Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to ensure your website works properly on various mobile devices.
5. Page speed optimization: Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights tool to identify and resolve issues affecting page loading speed.
6. Build brand authority: Develop strategies to increase your brand exposure and authority. This may include participating in industry events, publishing professional content on relevant platforms, or collaborating with industry influencers.
7. Continuous learning and adjustment: Closely follow the latest trends and best practices in the SEO industry, and constantly adjust your strategy based on this information.
Through these measures, website owners can ensure that their websites remain competitive after this Google core algorithm update and gain an advantage in future updates. Remember, SEO is an ongoing process that requires constant effort and adjustment. By focusing on providing high-quality content and excellent user experience, your website can not only perform well in search results but also truly meet user needs and build long-term user loyalty.
