The August 2023 Core Update

Launched in August 2023, this was another broad core algorithm update aimed at improving the overall quality of search results. As with previous core updates, it was designed to reassess how Google evaluates content and ranks websites across all niches.

 

Fallouts and Highlights from the Update

The August 2023 Core Update caused significant ranking fluctuations across various industries, with some websites experiencing dramatic changes in their search visibility.

One of the most notable impacts was on sites in the e-commerce and travel sectors. Several large online retailers and travel booking platforms reported substantial traffic changes, with some experiencing gains while others saw significant losses.

For instance, a popular travel comparison site reportedly gained over 35% in organic visibility following the update, while a well-established e-commerce marketplace saw a drop of around 25%.

The update also had a significant impact on news and media sites, particularly those covering current events and trending topics. Some news outlets saw improvements in their visibility for breaking news and time-sensitive queries, suggesting that the update may have refined Google’s ability to surface timely and relevant content.

Google’s Search Liaison, Danny Sullivan, confirmed the update on Twitter, reiterating the company’s standard advice that there’s no specific “fix” for sites negatively impacted by core updates. He emphasised that webmasters should focus on providing high-quality, relevant content.

The SEO community’s reaction was mixed, with many noting the increased volatility in search results following the update. This led to discussions about the growing importance of adaptability in SEO strategies and the challenges of maintaining consistent rankings in an increasingly dynamic search landscape.

 

Strategy Evolution

The August 2023 Core Update necessitated several shifts in SEO strategy:

1. Increased focus on content freshness and timeliness, especially for news and trending topics
2. Greater emphasis on user engagement metrics and satisfying user intent
3. More attention to entity relationships and topical authority
4. Development of strategies to improve content diversity and comprehensiveness
5. Renewed importance of technical SEO, including site speed and mobile optimisation

 

This update underscored the importance of a dynamic, user-centric approach to SEO. It encouraged SEO professionals to consider not just the quality of individual pages, but how well their entire site served user needs and expectations.

For many websites, this meant implementing more robust content updating strategies. There was a greater focus on ensuring that existing content remained relevant and up-to-date, as well as creating new content to address emerging topics and trends.

The update also led to an increased emphasis on understanding and leveraging entity relationships. Many sites began to pay more attention to how their content fit into broader knowledge graphs and how they could establish themselves as authoritative sources on specific topics.

Overall, the August 2023 Core Update pushed the SEO industry towards more agile, context-aware practices. It highlighted the need for SEO strategies that could quickly adapt to changing user needs and search trends, while maintaining a strong foundation of quality and relevance.