In August 2023, Google rolled out its latest Core Update, which brought significant changes to the search engine's algorithm. The August 2023 Google Core Update aims to enhance the quality of search results.
As with all core updates, it's crucial to understand the impacts on SEO and adapt your strategies accordingly.
Let’s dive deeper to learn more about:
- What is the purpose of the August 2023 core update
- How this broad core algorithm update impacts SEO
- Tips for recovering from a ranking drop
If you have been affected by the Google April 2023 Reviews Update we have an article with tips to recover traffic.
Google August 2023 Core Update Quick Facts
On August 2023, Google Search Central announced the new core update that says:
Here are quick facts about the Google 2023 core update:
| Name | Google August 2023 Broad Core Update |
| Launched | August 22, 2023 - 1:30 pm ET |
| Rollout | The Google August 2023 core update may take up to two weeks. |
| Targets | All types of content |
| Penalty | It’s not a penalty. Yet, it only rewards or promotes "great web pages.” |
| Global update | It impacts all languages and regions. |
| Impact | Google has not yet mentioned the percentage of queries or searches to be affected by this update. |
| Discover | This impacts Google Discover and some features. |
| Recover | If this hits you, then you need to check your content and see whether you can optimize it by following Google's advice. |
Once fully rolled out, you can check the ranking release history page status in Google’s Status Dashboard.
How to Recover from the August 2023 Core Update
If your search rankings drop after the Google updates, it's best to take some action. You can adjust your SEO strategy to align with the new ranking factors.
Here are some actionable steps to consider:
- Audit your content.
Google's ranking algorithm is evolving to weed out manipulative tactics. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. That’s why you need to audit your existing content to ensure it meets the E-A-T criteria.
You can review your content quality. Also, conduct a comprehensive SEO audit--the cornerstone of a successful SEO strategy.
If you’re looking for a partner to conduct an in-depth SEO audit, SEOLeverage can help.
Our expert team assesses each factor of your website's overall performance. This is from technical search engine optimization to content. With this tactic, it unveils the strengths and weaknesses, offering a roadmap for optimization.
- Optimize page speed and mobile-friendliness.
Enhance your website's performance by way of optimizing images, leveraging browser caching, and minifying code. This can enhance the user experience and impact your search traffic. It’s additionally vital to have a responsive website design that adapts to exclusive display screen sizes.
- Build high-quality backlinks.
Focus on gaining backlinks from reputable websites in your industry. This can be achieved through creating guest posts and influencer collaborations.
You can also avoid low-quality link-building practices that can lead to penalties.
- Stay informed and adaptable.
Continuously stay updated with the latest SEO trends and broad core updates. Adapt your strategies as needed to align with the evolving search landscape.
Additionally, monitor your website's Core Web Vitals using tools. Some recommendations include:
- Google Analytics. Use Google Analytics to track conversions. Check changes to analyze user engagement metrics.
- Google Search Console. Utilize Google Search Console to track your website's performance in Google search results. Identify search queries, track impressions, and click-through rates.
Wrap-Up
The SEO game is no longer about guesswork or short-term gains. It's about adapting to this second Google Core Update this year. Also, maintaining a competitive edge in search rankings.
With SEOLeverage, you can confidently face the challenges of evolving search algorithms. Our structured approach sets us apart as a partner you can trust.
