Navigating Google’s Latest Update
A Guide for Ayrshire Business Owners
Dylan Welsh
As an Ayrshire-based agency, we understand that the ever-evolving world of Google updates can be confusing. Google’s latest core update started rolling out on August 15th, you may be wondering what it means for your website. Let’s break it down and guide you on how to stay ahead in SEO (Search Engine Optimisation).
Understanding The Update
Google regularly updates its search algorithm to improve the quality of search results, ensuring users find the most relevant and helpful content. The latest core update which is expected to take about a month to fully roll out, is no exception.
Google took feedback from the Helpful Content Update back in September 2023 and incorporated it into this new one, aiming to refine the way it ranks content and improve the experience for the 99K searches being made every single second.
Key points from this update:
Refinement of helpful content signals: Google has attempted to better recognise and reward genuinely helpful content. Some sites hit hard last year, like perhaps yours was, may see improvements – but it’s not a guaranteed full recovery.
Updated guidance: Google also updated its help page with more in-depth advice for those who notice changes in their rankings post-update. This guidance is meant to help you understand why your site might have been affected and how to bounce back.
Why Your Site May Have Been Affected
If you’ve noticed a dip in your website’s traffic or rankings since the update, you’re not alone. There are a few reasons why this might be happening:
Content Quality: Google is prioritising content that is truly helpful and relevant to users. If your content is thin, outdated, or not meeting users’ needs, it could be why your site’s impacted.
Previous Updates: If your site was affected by the September 2023 one, this latest update might alleviate or exacerbate it, depending on how your content aligns with Google’s evolving standards.
User Experience: Google’s algorithm looks at more than just content. It considers the overall user experience. If your website is difficult to navigate, slow to load, or not mobile-friendly, it could negatively.
A Plan to Improve Your Ranking
Now is the perfect time to focus on creating and maintaining helpful content that aligns with Google’s guidelines. Here’s how to get started:
Audit Your Content: Review your existing content to ensure it’s relevant, up-to-date, and valuable to your audience. Remove or revise any content that isn’t.
Focus on User Intent: Understand what your visitors are searching for and create helpful content that directly answers their questions or solves their problems.
Stay Informed: Keep up with Google’s updates and guidelines. This way, you’ll be better prepared to adapt your strategy when changes occur.
Tips for Writing Helpful, Optimised Content
To help your website rank better and provide value to your audience, here are some SEO tips for writing content that’s both helpful and optimised:
Know Your Audience: Write with your target audience in mind. Understand their needs, challenges, and the language they use. Tailor your content to speak directly to them.
Use Clear, Simple Language: Avoid jargon and complex language. Your content should be easy to read and understand in broken up digestible sections, especially for those who might not be experts in your field.
Incorporate Keywords Naturally: Identify the keywords your audience is searching for and incorporate them naturally into your content. But remember, quality trumps quantity – don’t stuff keywords at the expense of readability.
Include Relevant Links: Link to other relevant pages on your site as well as reputable external sources. This adds value for your readers and can improve your site’s authority in Google’s eyes.
Update Regularly: Keep your content fresh by regularly updating it. This signals that your site is active and committed to providing the most current information.
Google’s latest core update is a reminder that SEO is an ongoing process. By focusing on creating genuinely helpful content and providing a great user experience, you can improve your website’s rankings and keep your Ayrshire business thriving online.
