In the ever-evolving search engine optimization (SEO) landscape, Google's core updates hold immense significance. However, Google's August 2023 core update introduces a notable paradigm shift.
Unlike its predecessors, which primarily focused on technical fixes and algorithm adjustments, this update takes a bold step toward prioritizing website quality.
Historically, webmasters and SEO experts have diligently worked on technical aspects to align with Google's algorithmic preferences. From optimizing meta tags and keywords to refining site speed and mobile responsiveness, the emphasis was on meeting the technical benchmarks.
However, the August 2023 core update slightly changes this conventional approach. Google's latest algorithm revision emphasizes the quality of the content, user experience, and overall website integrity.
It signifies a departure from the routine checklist of technical fixes and a move towards rewarding websites that genuinely provide value to users.
Why Does Google Release Core Updates?
Google regularly releases these core updates to guarantee that users always receive the most relevant and accurate results.
Although they aren't intended to target particular websites or pages, they could make previously lower pages in the rankings more visible. On the other hand, the pages previously rewarded can see a drop in the ranking.
Updating Your Website
A core upgrade may have no impact at all, a negative influence on a website's search performance, or both. Google emphasizes that a drop in performance following a core update doesn't necessarily mean your website is broken.
If a drop occurs, it can result from changes made by the core upgrade rather than an issue with the structure or content of your website. Google advised people who notice reductions in ranks to concentrate on increasing the quality of their websites instead of looking for technical solutions. Webmasters were advised to:
- Identify web pages that aren't doing well SEO-wise.
- Find out what search 'keywords' people used to go to those web pages and optimize them.
- Check your content if it follows Google's guidelines specified on its Help Page.
The last update that had a significant effect in terms of website rankings was the March 2023 core update. The March 2023 Core Update was interesting in that there appeared to be a sizable number of lesser or "micro" rank moves that occurred at the same time as significant rank adjustments.
That is demonstrated by less dramatic average position gains and losses than in the past and a higher-than-average proportion of freshly ranking URLs in the top 10 results.
The average number of ranking spots lost during the March 2023 core update was 2.74, while the average number of positions gained was 2.7. That was in line with what happened in the September 2022 core update. The average loss in rankings was 2.52, and the gain amounted to 2.51.
Are These Changes Designed to Address AI Content?
With the August 2023 core update, Google is just ensuring its algorithm provides the best user experience. Content is still the main thing to be considered.
However, there were some speculations that this move was connected to making sure that AI-generated content is up to par with what Google wants its users to get.
There were some conflicting statements from Google in the past about AI-generated content. As recently as April last year, some of those statements suggested that content written by AI is against Google policies.
However, Google backtracked on those comments and later stated that AI-generated content won't be penalized as long as they follow Google's content guidelines.
