August 2024 Google Core Update: What Changed and What to Do Next

/august-2024-google-core-update

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Google rolled out another broad core algorithm update in August 2024, and as usual, it left many business owners asking the same question: Did something break, or is this just how search works now?

Core updates are not penalties, and they are not fixes you can apply with a single tweak. They are re-evaluations of content quality, relevance, and usefulness across the web. This update continued a clear trend Google has been signaling all year. Helpful, human-centered content is being rewarded. Thin, generic, or purely keyword-driven content is losing visibility.

Here is what changed, what did not, and what smart site owners should focus on next.

What a Google Core Update Actually Does

A core update is Google adjusting how it evaluates content overall. It does not target a specific industry or tactic. Instead, it reassesses which pages best satisfy user intent.

If your rankings dropped, it does not necessarily mean your site did something wrong. It means Google believes other pages now do a better job answering the same questions.

If your rankings improved, it usually means your content aligns more closely with what users are actually looking for.

What We Are Seeing After the August 2024 Update

Across client sites and industry data, a few patterns are clear.

1. Pages written for people are outperforming pages written for algorithms

Content that clearly explains topics, answers real questions, and demonstrates experience is gaining ground. Pages that feel templated or over-optimized are slipping.

2. Intent matters more than exact keywords

Google is doing a better job understanding what someone means, not just what they type. Pages that match intent, such as informational versus transactional searches, are performing better than pages that try to rank for everything at once.

3. Authority is being evaluated at the page level

A strong domain helps, but it no longer carries weak pages. Each page is increasingly judged on its own usefulness, structure, and clarity.

What Has Not Changed

Despite the noise, some fundamentals remain exactly the same.

• There is no quick fix or recovery switch
• Rewriting everything at once usually makes things worse
• Chasing every ranking fluctuation leads to poor decisions

Google continues to reward consistency, clarity, and real value over time.

What to Do If Your Site Was Affected

If you noticed ranking or traffic changes after mid-August, here is the correct way to respond.

Step 1: Identify which pages changed

Use Google Search Console to compare performance before and after the update. Look for patterns, not isolated keywords.

Step 2: Reevaluate content purpose

Ask a simple question for each affected page. Does this page genuinely help someone, or does it exist mainly to rank?

If the answer is unclear, Google probably feels the same way.

Step 3: Improve clarity before adding more content

Focus on tightening messaging, improving structure, and answering questions more directly. More words do not equal better content.

Step 4: Strengthen internal connections

Make sure related pages link to each other naturally. This helps users and search engines understand how your content fits together.

What Not to Do After a Core Update

• Do not delete large sections of your site out of panic
• Do not stuff more keywords into already weak pages
• Do not blindly copy competitors who happened to gain rankings

Core updates reward thoughtful improvements, not reactive changes.

The Bigger Picture Going Forward

The August 2024 update reinforces a trend that has been building for years. Google wants content that reflects real experience, real expertise, and real intent.

Websites that treat SEO as a long-term quality strategy continue to win. Sites built around shortcuts continue to struggle.

If you view your website as a living asset rather than a static brochure, core updates become opportunities instead of threats.

Need Help Evaluating Your Site?

If you are unsure how this update affected your website, or if you want a clear plan for improving content quality and search visibility, Web Experts can help.

We work with businesses to build websites that perform well because they are genuinely useful, fast, accessible, and built for people first.

Contact Web Experts to schedule a review and get clarity on what matters next.