In August 2023, Google rolled out a significant core update that had a substantial impact on search rankings and traffic for many websites. The update started on August 22 and was finished 16 days later, on September 7, 2023.
While some websites experienced a decline in organic search traffic, our client’s website not only weathered the storm but also saw a significant increase in traffic during and after the update.
This case study documents the strategies to recover traffic after the Google Core update. Additionally, check factors that contributed to the website’s success in the face of this major algorithm change.
Google Core Update August 2023 Overview
Google initiates core updates with the objective of providing the best search experience. To achieve this, Google frequently refines and updates its search algorithms.
Core updates, like the one in August 2023, involve extensive changes to these algorithms. This marks the second core update in 2023, with the initial update rolling out in March.
In the case of the August 2023 update had an impact on the importance of delivering high-quality, relevant, and authoritative content. Websites that align with Google’s guidelines and adhere to best practices are rewarded.
What we found:
During our analysis, we discovered a notable decline in both impressions and clicks on the page with the URL https://www.xxxx.com/blog/50-xxxx-xxxx-yxx-xxxd-xx-xxxw/ within the last 28 days. It's specifically in the transition from March to April 2023.
Source: Ahrefs
The decline in both impressions and clicks can be attributed to various factors such as:
- Changes in search engine algorithms
- Increased competition
- Shifts in user behavior
- Adjustments in your website’s content or SEO strategy
To pinpoint the cause, an analysis of your SEO practices is necessary. This assessment will help identify issues that require improvement. In which it can also regain lost impressions and clicks. Further measures may be necessary to address this decline and improve the page’s performance.
What we did:
In response to the recent Google core update, we undertook the following actions:
- Page Optimization. We recommended optimizing the page to enhance its performance and attract more website traffic.
- Layout Enhancement. We also advised adapting the prototype layout. This is to make the content more appealing, informative, and search engine-friendly.
After analyzing the impact of the recent Google core update, it’s evident that there has been an increase in organic traffic, impressions, and clicks. This is a clear indicator of the website’s performance in content quality and SEO efforts.
Source: Google Search Console
Here are a few possible reasons why your organic traffic increased despite the Google core update:
- High-Quality Content. Google’s core updates often prioritize high-quality, authoritative, and relevant content. If it provides valuable and well-researched content, it’s likely to perform better in search results.
Google periodically introduces core updates to enhance the quality of its search results. These updates involve adjustments to ranking signals.
However, it’s common for many websites to see a notable decline in their rankings following core updates. This serves as an indicator of issues that Google has identified within those sites.
What results we achieved:
After suggesting page optimization, impressions, and clicks gained a noticeable increase. This is within a span of six months.
The target keyword remained in position four despite the broad core algorithm update.
Pages that might not perform as strongly as before a broad core update do not necessarily have flaws. They have not breached our spam guidelines or faced manual or algorithmic penalties. This can occur when pages violate these guidelines.
In essence, Google Core updates do not have a focus on singling out particular pages or websites. Rather, these Google updates aim to enhance our systems' overall content assessment process. Consequently, these alterations may result in certain pages performing better in search results.
Take note: Google highlights that improving your website may not immediately change your rankings. See how your website works in Google Analytics and Search Console.
Wrapping-Up
Broad-core updates typically occur every few months. When content is affected, it may not bounce back, even if improvements have been implemented.
While not all the Google algorithm updates are announced, they can still help content recovery if the improvements justify it. However, it’s clear that enhancements made by website owners do not come with a guarantee of recovery.
Consistently, Google and other search engines recommend website owners focus on high-quality content. If you’re experiencing a decline in rankings, conducting an audit is advisable. An SEO Audit can help you pinpoint which pages have been most affected and the specific types of searches involved.
If you want to optimize for search engine results pages, SEOLeverage is the ideal partner. Our proven strategies and deep expertise in SEO can help you regain your lost traffic due to a Google update. It also achieves sustainable growth. With SEOLeverage, you’ll have a dedicated ally to ensure that your online presence remains competitive.
Choose SEOLeverage to improve your website’s performance. Secure its success in the ever-changing world of online search!
