Google August 2023 Core Update – August 22, 2023

Google’s core updates are highly anticipated events that often leave website owners and SEO professionals scrambling to assess how their sites have been impacted. On August 22, 2023, Google released its August 2023 Core Update, continuing its focus on improving search results by refining how websites are evaluated. Understanding the key changes brought about by this update and how to align your site with the updated criteria can be crucial for maintaining or improving your rankings.

In this article, we will focus on the key SEO factors affected by the Google August 2023 Core Update, what it includes, and how your website can stay compliant with the latest standards. We will also provide actionable steps to ensure that your site remains competitive in Google’s ever-evolving search landscape.

What is a Core Update?

A core update is a broad change to Google’s search algorithms aimed at improving the overall quality of search results. Unlike minor updates, core updates typically target fundamental aspects of how Google ranks content, ensuring that the most relevant, high-quality information rises to the top of search results. While core updates don’t target specific sites, they can cause significant shifts in search engine rankings, especially for websites that don’t align with Google’s current focus on quality.

Overview of the August 2023 Core Update

The Google August 2023 Core Update places a stronger emphasis on user-focused content and relevance. While the update did not introduce any new ranking factors, it refined how Google evaluates existing factors, particularly in terms of content quality, user engagement, and website performance.

This update also further enforces the importance of E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness), ensuring that users receive accurate and reliable information. Additionally, the update emphasizes user experience (UX), rewarding sites that are not only rich in content but also user-friendly and optimized for all devices, particularly mobile.

Key Areas Affected by the August 2023 Core Update

1. Content Quality
   • Content must provide real value to users. Google is getting better at recognizing thin content (pages with little value) and prioritizing content that is comprehensive, accurate, and useful.
   • Keyword stuffing and excessive use of irrelevant keywords are now penalized more harshly. The focus is on user intent, meaning content must answer the specific needs of users.
2. User Experience and Engagement
   • The update places more weight on user engagement metrics, such as time spent on page, bounce rate, and pages per session. Websites that engage users with valuable content and encourage longer browsing sessions are more likely to be rewarded.
   • Mobile-first indexing remains a priority. Websites that are slow to load or hard to navigate on mobile devices will likely see a dip in rankings.
3. E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)
   • This update highlights the continued importance of E-A-T in content ranking. Sites that demonstrate clear expertise in their subject matter, have authoritative backlinks, and maintain a trustworthy online presence will see the most gains.
   • The emphasis on author transparency is stronger than ever. Content written by recognized experts or professionals in the field will be prioritized.
4. Technical SEO Factors
   • The update also underscores the importance of Core Web Vitals, which measure aspects like page load speed, interactivity, and visual stability. These technical SEO factors have become critical to user experience and are now closely tied to ranking performance.

How Your Site May Be Affected

If your site has experienced a drop in rankings since the August 2023 Core Update, it’s likely due to one or more of the following reasons:

• Low-quality content: Pages with thin or unhelpful content may have been deprioritized in favor of more comprehensive, authoritative content.
• Poor user experience: If your site has poor loading times, difficult navigation, or is not mobile-friendly, it could be penalized under this update.
• Lack of expertise or authority: Websites that don’t demonstrate sufficient authority in their niche may have seen a drop in rankings, particularly in competitive fields like health, finance, or legal advice.

How to Improve Your Website Post-August 2023 Update

To ensure your site remains competitive after the Google August 2023 Core Update, follow these best practices:

1. Improve Content Quality

• Focus on creating content that thoroughly answers user queries and provides actionable insights. Avoid superficial coverage of topics.
• Regularly update your content to ensure it remains relevant and accurate. Outdated content can hurt your credibility and rankings.
• Ensure that every page offers unique value. If multiple pages cover similar topics, consider consolidating them into a more comprehensive piece.

2. Enhance User Experience (UX)

• Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and loads quickly. Use tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights to identify performance bottlenecks.
• Simplify navigation so users can easily find the information they need without digging through multiple layers of content.
• Improve site layout and readability by breaking up large blocks of text with headings, bullet points, and images.

3. Strengthen Your E-A-T

• Ensure that your content is written or reviewed by qualified experts in your field. If applicable, display author credentials prominently.
• Work on building high-quality backlinks from reputable websites in your industry. This will enhance your authority and trustworthiness.
• Be transparent about your site’s mission, providing clear contact information and privacy policies to build user trust.

4. Monitor Core Web Vitals

• Improve your site’s Core Web Vitals by optimizing for faster page load speeds and ensuring visual stability (e.g., reducing layout shifts).
• Keep track of performance metrics using Google Search Console to identify any issues that may negatively impact the user experience.

The Google August 2023 Core Update emphasizes the importance of content quality, user engagement, and technical SEO in achieving higher rankings. By focusing on user intent, improving site usability, and ensuring expertise and trustworthiness, website owners can align with the update and maintain strong rankings. Staying vigilant with E-A-Tprinciples and Core Web Vitals will also help ensure that your site thrives in the face of future updates.