August 2023 Core Update, The New Google Algorithm Update

With this update, Google aims to improve the quality of search results by better rewarding pages that are relevant, informative, and useful for users. Here are some of the key changes that the search giant has implemented as part of the August 2023 Core Update:

• Increased emphasis on content quality: Google now places more value on pages that feature high-quality and informative content. This means well-written, well-structured, and information-rich pages have a better chance of ranking higher in search results.
• Greater focus on user experience: Google now places a higher value on pages that provide users with a positive experience. This prioritizes user-friendly, fast-loading, and relevant pages. Responsiveness, ensuring that your pages are displayed effectively on mobile devices, is also taken into account.
• Strong emphasis on security: It’s even more critical to own secure pages that protect users from harmful content. This includes secure pages that are free from malware or phishing attempts. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates and HTTPS protocols have become a standard requirement. If you operate your pages on an unsecured HTTP protocol, you can be almost certain of Google’s penalties, resulting in a significant drop in your rankings.

How can these changes affect your website?

There are only two possibilities: your traffic will increase or, conversely, decrease. For this reason, it is a good practice to have any kind of website statistics and visitor tracking implemented on your site. Such statistics can provide you with essential data, offering clear feedback on how much such updates affect the viewership of your website.

For this purpose, you can either use the freely available Google Analytics service, or, if you have a WordPress-based website, you can use one of the several available plugins. Personally, I combine both options, and I take an average from them. I monitor traffic both from server logs and by implementing Google Analytics on my website.

Have you experienced a drop in website traffic?

If your answer is yes, you will need to make adjustments to your current website. Consider both its content and visual aspects. Your website must be simple, clear, and easily digestible. It must engage your readers and encourage them to spend time on your site. First, Google observes the Bounce Rate, which indicates whether a user visited only one page and then immediately left or whether the website was compelling enough to make the user click and explore further content. Ideally, you should aim for a low bounce rate. Regarding the Time on Page metric, Google tracks the amount of time a user spends on your website. If a user was on your site for 10 minutes, it’s evident that the website engaged them. Conversely, if they left after just ten seconds, Google will interpret it as disinterest and gradually reduce the website’s relevance.

Focus on Responsive Design and Website Security

Today, users consider responsive web design and website security as a necessary minimum. It’s essential that you fine-tune your website to display very well and comfortably on both mobile and desktop. Best practice involves having a tailored design for each device, using full features for desktop and a simple, lightweight, and clear layout for mobile. This not only benefits users but is also appreciated by Google.

Regarding security, the minimum requirement is an HTTPS certificate. If you have a website built on a popular content management system like WordPress, it’s good to follow these principles:

• Secure an SSL certificate for your website.
• Keep your plugins, themes, and the core system updated.
• Consider renaming the administration URL from /wp-admin to something else.
• Regularly review your list of WordPress users and their administrative rights.
• Think about securing your website behind a CloudFlare’s secure DNS.
• Periodically inspect the contents of your FTP to ensure it doesn’t contain suspicious files.

August 2023 Core Update, The New Google Algorithm Update

Conclusion

That’s about all the essential information you need to know regarding one of the major Google algorithm updates. If you have followed all the principles mentioned above and your content is relevant and valuable to users, you’ll likely benefit from this change. However, if you haven’t adhered to these principles and have neglected your website for a while, it’s quite possible that your website’s traffic may decline. In that case, it will be time to consider renovating your website and improving the user experience and content quality.