Google’s August 2024 core update and a fix for a separate ranking issue both landed around the same time, making it challenging for SEO professionals to pinpoint which change impacted their site rankings. John Mueller, Senior Search Analyst at Google, recently shared his insights to help clarify the situation.
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Navigating the Update and Ranking Fix
When asked by Rüdiger Dalchow about how to distinguish the effects of the core update from those of the ranking issue fix, Mueller’s advice is to be patient. He emphasized waiting until the core update is fully rolled out before analyzing its effects, noting:
“You’d really need to wait until the core update finishes rolling out to make any call about its effect. That’s not to say you should wait with working on your website; it’s just if you want to compare before vs. after; waiting for it to be finished is important. From looking at social posts from SEOs tracking these things, there are often fluctuations during the rollout; I don’t think it’s worth trying to separate out the effects from the ranking issue.”
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What to Do in the Meantime
While Mueller advises patience, he encourages continuing to work on improving your website. The focus should be on maintaining and enhancing site quality rather than stressing over the specific causes of ranking changes.
Mueller also addressed a suggestion by Hans Petter Blindheim to add a special notice in Google Search Console during core updates or when issues arise. Mueller responded cautiously, stating:
“Most websites don’t see big changes, so I’m hesitant to make it seem like an even bigger deal for them.”
He pointed out that there are Chrome add-ons available for those who want to monitor these updates more closely.
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Why It’s Important
Understanding these updates can be challenging. The August 2024 core update and the ranking bug fix highlight how complex it can be to determine the exact impact of changes. Mueller’s advice underscores the importance of focusing on overall site quality and not getting too caught up in the details of which update caused specific ranking shifts.
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Next Steps
For more detailed guidance, Google has updated its advice on core updates. This guide offers steps for using Search Console to track traffic changes and emphasizes improving content with a user-focused approach.
As the core update continues to roll out, SEO experts should keep an eye on how it affects their sites and be prepared to adjust their strategies based on a clearer picture of the update’s impact. By maintaining a patient and holistic approach, they can navigate these changes and continue to optimize their websites for success.
