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Are You Ready For The Google Core Update Expected Soon - July/August 2024
Just when you thought it was safe to emerge from behind the couch, along comes the prospect of more Google Core Update horror. A little dramatic perhaps, but for the website and business all-but wiped out with each major algorithmic shift, a (very) unwelcome reality.
The question being – what exactly is on the cards this time around, and when?
As usual, the answer in both instances is – we don’t really know.
All that’s for sure as things stand right is that something is coming. More or less confirmed by Google Search Liaison, Danny Sullivan, who said the next Core Update should be making its presence known within a few weeks.
"I would expect we'll see one in the coming weeks, because that fits in with our general cycle,” he said.
"But precisely when, that's just not known yet. The ranking team makes changes, tests those, evaluates those and eventually we get a launch date."
“There have been many times I could have said "Core update next week!" because everything was on track for that to happen, but then there's a need to do a bit more work or other things that might cause a pushback.”
More Doom and Gloom to Come?
As for what the July or August 2024 Core Update could bring, the general consensus points to a continuation/enhancement of the most recent update in March. Nothing specific, but Mr. Sullivan did at least say he’d like to see hard-working, well-meaning website owners coming out better off for the whole thing.
"I do hope we can improve in some of these cases where creators with their hearts in the right places, and who are doing the real content effort behind that, are rewarded as we should be doing,” he said, with echoes of Google’s prior comments in the run-up to core updates.
Prepping for All Scenarios
So once again, it’s a case of buckling up and waiting to see what happens next. Though there’s no time like the presence to (at least attempt to) ensure your site doesn’t become the next casual of Google’s campaign for quality.
Simple yet effective steps you can take to safeguard yourself from the fallout of Core Updates include:
- Prioritise high-quality, comprehensive content that addresses user needs.
- Enhance user experience: optimise loading speed, ensure mobile-friendliness, and improve site structure.
- Build topical authority through in-depth content clusters and interlinking.
- Diversify traffic sources beyond organic search.
- Monitor and maintain a healthy backlink profile.
- Implement structured data to enhance search listings.
- Emphasise E-A-T, especially for YMYL topics.
- Stay updated on SEO best practices and Google guidelines.
- Conduct regular site audits to address technical issues.
- Align content with user intent by analysing search queries.
- Improve internal linking for better site navigation and link equity distribution.
- Optimise for voice search with conversational queries and featured snippets.
In short, focus on the fundamentals, and you’ve a real shot at future-proofing your website – whatever Google decides to throw your way.