Google released its Google August 2024 core update on August 15th, followed by a large search ranking bug shortly after. SEOs and site owners are struggling to differentiate between the two. Google advises not to fully judge the core update's impact until it has completely rolled out.
Key Points
- Core Update Rollout: The update is expected to take about a month to fully roll out.
- Ranking Bug: The bug was fixed, but its effects may still be seen for a while.
- Assessment Period: It's recommended to wait at least another week to accurately assess the impact of the core update versus the ranking bug.
- John Mueller's Advice:
- Wait until the core update finishes rolling out to evaluate its effects.
- Continue working on your website improvements in the meantime.
- Most sites won't see significant changes, but those affected may experience substantial shifts.
Recommendations
- Compare data from the week or two before the core update to the week or two after its completion for a clearer picture.
- Be patient and wait until next week for more accurate comparisons.
John Mueller's comments emphasize the importance of waiting for the full rollout to make any definitive assessments and not to confuse the ranking bug's effects with the core update's impact.
