Google’s August Core Update: Impacts, Bugs, and Yelp’s Lawsuit

 

In August 2024, Google rolled out a significant core update that aimed at refining search result quality. Together with this update, a ranking bug emerged, causing erratic fluctuations in search results for many websites. This article discusses the findings shared by Google’s John Mueller, the impact of the core update, and Google’s ongoing legal battles.

 

The August Core Update

 

Core updates are essential adjustments made by Google to improve the relevance and quality of search results. The August 2024 core update began on August 15 and continued until early September. Google aimed to address community feedback, particularly by enhancing the visibility of small and independent businesses. 

 

John Mueller, a Google Search Advocate, stated that the update was designed to promote content that users find genuinely useful while demoting lower-quality content that only aims to perform well in search rankings.

 

Google’s Ranking Bug

 

Around the same time as the core update, a ranking bug caused significant disruptions in search results. This bug was first identified on August 15 and persisted for five days, leading to unpredictable traffic patterns for many websites. Google quickly acknowledged the issue, clarifying that it was unrelated to the core update. This led to overall confusion amongst SEO experts as they could not understand the cause for erratic rankings and traffic numbers. The screenshot taken from X below demonstrates this.

 

 

 

Impact on Websites

 

The impact of the August core update was notable. According to user polls, 44% of sites reported drops in traffic and rankings, while 27% experienced improvements. In contrast, 29% saw no significant changes. This update particularly affected industries that had previously struggled with visibility, highlighting the importance of consistently producing high-quality, user-focused content. In comparison, many sites that had suffered from earlier updates saw limited recoveries.

A few screenshots from X below demonstrate the impacts of the August algorithm update on rankings.

To further demonstrate just how volatile rankings were over the period of the August algorithm update, take a look at the two ranking volatility graphs below. These were developed from two widely used rankings tools: SEMRush and Advanced Web Rankings.

The August 2024 core update had a particularly significant impact on the health industry, with 25% of websites providing medical information, health advice, and treatments experiencing declines in rankings and traffic. This can be attributed to Google’s emphasis on promoting authoritative and trustworthy content from government and healthcare sites.

 

It’s important to note that while this industry was among the most affected, the impact of the update varied greatly depending on individual website quality, content, and user experience. Websites that consistently provided high-quality, relevant, and trustworthy content were more likely to maintain or improve their rankings, while those with low-quality or thin content faced more significant challenges.

 

Google’s Evolving SERP Features

 

Adding even more complexity to the volatility of Google’s Search, Yelp has recently filed a lawsuit against them, claiming that Google’s SERP features unfairly disadvantage its business. The lawsuit also comes less than a month after it was ruled that Google violated antitrust law by illegally keeping its monopoly in the search engine market.

 

Yelp has accused Google of engaging in anti-competitive practices that specifically harm local search competitors. Yelp argues that Google’s manipulation of search results to favour its own services over those of competitors negatively impacts the quality of search results and limits the choice of users. 

 

This lawsuit is particularly relevant in the context of the August core update, as it highlights how volatile Search is. It also reflects broader concerns about how Google’s practices impact competition and visibility for smaller businesses. As Google’s SERP features evolve, businesses must adapt their SEO strategies to maintain their online presence and visibility in an increasingly competitive environment.

 

Why we care

 

The August 2024 core update, as well as the ranking bug, highlight the ever-evolving nature of SEO and the importance of adaptability in digital marketing. It has also highlighted the importance of constantly providing high-quality and trustworthy content on your site.