Google’s planned August 2023 core update, the second Google core update this year, has begun its rollout this week and is expected to be completed in the space of two weeks.

The previous core update was back in March, which started around March 15 and was completed on March 28.

There were also product review and general review updates from Google in February and April respectively.

However, on the night of August 22, Google took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to announce the changes.

Today we released the August 2023 core update. We’ll update our ranking release history page when the rollout is complete: https://t.co/sQ5COfdNcb

— Google Search Central (@googlesearchc) August 22, 2023

Subsequently, Google then updated its Search Status Dashboard with the estimated timeframes.

What to be aware of with Google’s Core Update

As with any core update, there can be impacts on your site as a result, so it’s important to be aware of these and what to consider if you are negatively affected.

You may not need to take any of these actions, and it can be frustrating to know that such a negative rankings impact does not translate to something being wrong with your pages.

However, it’s worth remembering the following when it comes to the content you already have in place.

Key Content Considerations

Originality is key; provide original information, reporting, research or insightful analysis where possible. Ensure you have a substantial, complete or comprehensive description of the topic.

If the content draws on other sources, avoid simply copying or rewriting those sources and instead provide substantial additional value and originality.

Identify if the headline and/or page title provides a descriptive, helpful summary of the content – do not allow for exaggerated or shocking claims.

Think whether this is the sort of page you’d want to bookmark, share, or recommend. Would you expect to see this content in or referenced by a printed magazine, encyclopedia or book? If so, you can feel comfortable in what is already present.

Having authority and trust through your content will give your site credibility, and something that is always best practice. Be clear with any sourcing, and be free of factual errors.

Being factually accurate is important, but having content that is free of spelling and style errors is equally crucial.

Consider the production time and value of your content, and assess whether it’s overly mass-produced or ad-filled. Excessive ads can hinder the main content and purpose of why it is on your site, meaning it is vital to ensure it displays well across all devices.

Lastly, is your content genuinely visitor-focused or driven by SEO guesses? You want to be relevant and purposeful, for your audience and your goals.

Keep On Top & Be Conscious Of Upcoming Results

Updates from Google for its search ranking algorithms can be both good and bad for your site concerning search results.

It helps to be aware of these updates so we have a benchmark to guide results by; it will help to understand if it was an algorithm change or something actioned by you on your site. 

Be aware of the date of August 22 and keep track of your analytics and rankings for the next few weeks.

If you need help managing your written content or optimising your SEO, contact Fly High Media for digital marketing solutions that will free up your time to concentrate on your business.