In this blog post, we briefly examine why it is crucial to track Google algorithm updates and discuss four easy methods for monitoring them.

Let’s begin.

Why is it important to track Google algorithm updates?

Here are four big reasons why you should closely track Google aglorithm updates:

1. Identify potential ranking drops or increases

By monitoring algorithm updates, you can quickly determine if your website’s rankings are affected. This allows you to take immediate action to address any issues and prevent significant losses in organic traffic.

For example, if you notice a sudden drop in rankings after an algorithm update, you can investigate the potential causes and make necessary adjustments to your website’s content or SEO strategies.

2. Understand search engine trends

Keeping up with algorithm changes helps you stay informed about the latest search engine trends and adapt your SEO strategies accordingly.

Google’s algorithms are constantly evolving to provide users with the most relevant and helpful search results. By understanding these trends, you can optimize your website to meet Google’s standards and improve your chances of ranking higher in search results.

3. Avoid penalties

Some algorithm updates are designed to penalize websites that violate Google’s guidelines. By tracking these updates, you can identify and address any issues before they negatively impact your site.

For example, if Google releases an update targeting websites with low-quality content or spammy backlinks, you can review your website’s content and link profile to ensure compliance with Google’s guidelines.

4. Optimize your content and SEO

Understanding algorithm updates can help you optimize your content and SEO strategies to improve your search engine visibility.

For example, if Google releases an update that favors mobile-friendly websites, you can ensure that your website is optimized for mobile devices.

By staying informed about algorithm updates, you can make data-driven decisions to improve your website’s SEO and attract more organic traffic.

How to track Google algorithm updates

Now we take a look into how you can track Google algorithm updates and volatility in search engine results pages (SERPs).

1. Google Search Console dashboard

Google Search Console is a powerful tool that offers a wealth of information about your website’s performance in Google Search.

To track manual penalties (which are often received after an algorithm update), pay close attention to the “Manual Actions” section of your dashboard. If you receive a manual action notification, it means that Google has identified an issue with your website that is violating their guidelines.

• Analyze the details: Carefully review the specific reasons for the manual action. This information will help you understand the nature of the problem and take appropriate corrective measures.
• Take immediate action: Address the issue promptly to avoid further penalties and restore your website’s rankings. This may involve removing low-quality content, disavowing harmful backlinks, or making other necessary changes.
• Monitor for recovery: Once you’ve addressed the issue, continue to monitor your Search Console dashboard for signs of recovery. If the manual action is resolved, your website’s rankings should gradually improve.

2. News websites

News websites that focus on SEO often provide comprehensive coverage of Google algorithm updates, offering insights, analysis, and expert opinions.

Keep an eye on reputable tech news outlets and SEO blogs for updates and discussions. Some popular sources include:

• Search Engine Journal
• Moz
• SEO Round Table
• Google Webmasters Blog

By following these news sources, you can stay informed about the latest algorithm changes and their potential impact on your website.

3. X (formerly Twitter)

X (formerly Twitter) is a great platform for real-time updates on Google algorithm changes. Follow official Google accounts, SEO experts, and industry influencers to stay informed. You can also use relevant hashtags to find discussions and news related to algorithm updates.

• Follow official Google accounts: Follow accounts like @Google, @Googlesearchc, and @searchliaison for official announcements and insights.
• Follow SEO experts: Follow prominent SEO experts and industry influencers who share their insights and analysis on algorithm updates.
• Use relevant hashtags: Search for hashtags like #GoogleAlgorithm, #SEO, etc. to find discussions and news related to algorithm updates.

4. Semrush Sensor

Semrush Sensor is a tool that tracks search engine volatility, providing you with valuable insights into algorithm updates. By monitoring the volatility index, you can identify periods of significant algorithm changes and assess their potential impact on your website’s rankings.

• Analyze the volatility index: Keep an eye on the volatility index to identify periods of significant algorithm changes. A higher volatility index may indicate more frequent and significant updates.
• Monitor your website’s rankings: Track your website’s rankings during periods of high volatility to assess the impact of algorithm updates on your performance.
• Adjust your SEO strategy: If you notice significant fluctuations in your rankings, consider adjusting your SEO strategy to adapt to the changing search landscape.

By utilizing these methods, you can effectively track Google algorithm updates and stay informed about their potential impact on your website’s performance.

The post Why it is important to track Google algorithm updates (and how to do it) appeared first on Improve My Search Ranking.

Would these snippets dominate SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages)? Would Reddit discussions become the new go-to for information?

A recent study by SE Ranking sheds light on these questions and offers valuable insights for SEO professionals and content creators.

Trustworthy sources take center stage

The research, analyzing over 100,000 keywords, reveals a clear preference for established sources.

Websites like YouTube (with 1,346 links) and LinkedIn (with 1,091 links) topped the charts, alongside government (.gov at 19.71%) and educational (.edu at 26.61%) domains.

This aligns with Google’s goal of providing reliable information.

Focus on clarity and conciseness

The average AI overview length has shrunk by 40%, settling around 2,633 characters.

This emphasizes the importance of clear, concise writing that delivers the key points efficiently.

Consider bullet points, short paragraphs, and active voice to make your content easily digestible for both readers and AI crawlers.

HTTPS dominates

The study found a near-total dominance of HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) links in AI overviews – a whopping 99.75%.

If your website isn’t secure yet, prioritize making the switch to HTTPS. This ensures data privacy and sends a positive signal to search engines and users alike.

Diversify your backlink profile

While established platforms like YouTube reign supreme, the study also highlights the value of diversifying your backlink profile.

Consider incorporating links from relevant government and educational institutions (.gov and .edu domains) to add authority to your content. This can be achieved by guest posting on reputable websites or participating in relevant research projects.

Adapt your strategy for your niche

The research revealed interesting niche-specific variations. The “Relationships” category saw the highest prevalence of AI overviews (40.64%), while Fashion & Beauty, Pets, and Ecommerce & Retail showed a significant decline when compared to results from previous studies.

Understanding the AI behavior within your industry may allow you to tailor your content strategy accordingly.

Think globally, act locally (and virtually)

The study found a surprising number of links to Indian (.in) domains (9.85%) in AI overviews. This trend was particularly notable in the Sports & Exercise category (36.83%). This highlights the growing importance of international competition in the search landscape.

Consider creating multilingual content or collaborating with international partners to expand your reach.

Key takeaways and actionable insights

Here are some key takeaways from the SE Ranking study on Google AI overviews that content marketers and business owners could benefit from:

• Build Trust and Credibility: Google prioritizes established sources in its AI overviews. Focus on creating high-quality content that demonstrates expertise and trustworthiness in your field.
• Keep it Short and Sweet: With concise AI overviews becoming the norm, ensure your content is clear, informative, and to the point.
• HTTPS is Essential: Make sure your website uses HTTPS to ensure data security and send positive signals to search engines.
• Diversify Your Backlinks: Incorporate links from high-authority websites, including government (.gov) and educational (.edu) institutions, to boost your content’s authority.
• Tailor Your Content for Your Niche: Understand how AI behaves within your industry and adapt your content strategy accordingly.
• Go Global: The rise of international websites in AI overviews highlights the growing importance of a global SEO strategy. Consider creating multilingual content or partnering with international organizations.
• Stay Agile: Be prepared to adjust your SEO strategy as Google’s AI and search landscape continue to evolve.

A dynamic landscape demands agility

By following these actionable insights, you can ensure your website remains visible and trustworthy in the ever-changing world of search.

Remember, this is just a snapshot. Google’s AI is constantly evolving, and its approach to overviews is likely to change as well. Stay informed about these trends, and be prepared to adjust your SEO strategy accordingly. Monitor search results, analyze competitor content, and keep your finger on the pulse of the latest developments in AI.

The post New Study Reveals Google’s AI Overviews Tips For Content Creators and SEOs appeared first on Improve My Search Ranking.

In this blog post, we take a quick look at:

• What happened,
• How it all unfolded,
• What the impact of Google’s August 2024 core update was,
• Recovery tips for those who were affected,
• What the current state of SERPs volatility looks like,
• And what’s next

A response to feedback

This update was more than just a routine algorithm adjustment.

Google listened closely to the feedback generated by the September 2023 helpful content update, which had inadvertently affected many smaller, independent publishers. The August update aimed to rectify these unintended consequences and promote more useful content from these often-overlooked sources.

A ranking bug and recovery

Adding to the complexity of the situation, a significant search ranking bug emerged during the initial days of the August update. This bug, fortunately, was resolved within four days.

Therefore, it’s essential to disregard any ranking fluctuations that occurred during this period when assessing the long-term impact of the update.

The Impact of Google’s August 2024 core update

While the overall picture is still emerging, early data suggests that the August update brought some relief to websites that were negatively impacted by the previous helpful content update.

However, the recovery was far from universal.

Many sites continued to experience declines or stagnation in their rankings and traffic.

Barry Schwartz recently conducted a survey on his X profile in which over 1,500 website owners participated.

According to the results of that survey:

• 1% of participants said that their rankings and traffic declined,
• 4% of participants said that they noticed no change after the update, and
• Only 26.5% of participants said that their rankings and traffic improved after the udpate.

Google’s perspective

John Mueller, Google’s Search Advocate, clarified the goals of the August update:

“This update is designed to continue our work to improve the quality of our search results by showing more content that people find genuinely useful and less content that feels like it was made just to perform well on Search.”

Google emphasized its commitment to supporting smaller, independent publishers and ensuring that their high-quality content reaches a wider audience. The update aimed to better recognize improvements made by websites and reward those that consistently provide valuable information to users.

Advice for impacted websites

While Google hasn’t offered any groundbreaking new advice for websites negatively affected by the update, it’s essential to remember that a ranking drop doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem with your content.

Google encourages websites to focus on creating helpful, reliable, and people-first content. By prioritizing quality over quantity and ensuring that your content genuinely addresses user needs, you’re more likely to weather future algorithm updates and maintain your position in the SERPs.

Current state of the SERPs

Although the Google’s August 2024 core update has finished rolling out — at least, officially — we are still noticing a lot of volatility on SERPs.

Perhaps Google is still making some last-minute changes to the core algorithm update it just rolled out, or perhaps there is something else is going on that nobody knows about. But if your search rankings are still being volatile, know that you are not alone in this.

Take a look at the SERP volatility for the past 30 days, as per Semrush.

A quick recap

• The August 2024 core update was a significant event in the search landscape.
• Google listened to feedback and aimed to address issues raised by the September 2023 helpful content update.
• The update had a mixed impact on websites, with some seeing improvements and others experiencing continued challenges.
• A ranking bug briefly affected the search results during the early stages of the update.
• Google emphasized the importance of creating high-quality, user-focused content.

Conclusion

As the dust settles on the August update, website owners should continue to monitor their performance and adapt their strategies accordingly. By focusing on providing valuable content and staying informed about Google’s algorithm changes, you can increase your chances of long-term success in the competitive world of search engine optimization.

The post Google August 2024 Core Update Has Finished Rolling Out. Here’s What Happened. appeared first on Improve My Search Ranking.