Google Update: First Results

Summary

The August 2024 Google core update has brought mixed results for websites, with small sites experiencing significant traffic increases while others see further declines. SEO expert Lily Ray reports an average growth of 200% for affected sites, but not all recover fully. Controversy arises as some believe only vocal sites are benefiting. Meanwhile, Google tests a new AI Overview design, potentially increasing traffic but complicating rank tracking. Publishers like Dotdash Meredith and Ziff Davis report AI Overviews' minimal impact on traffic, suggesting a possible shift in SEO dynamics.

Takeaways

• 🚀 Google's August 2024 core update has led to significant traffic increases for small sites, particularly those that were negatively impacted by previous updates.
• 📈 SEO expert Lily Ray reported an average growth of around 200% for 66% of 200 sites affected by the Helpful Content Update, with some experiencing over a thousand percent growth.
• 🔍 HouseFresh, a site vocal about the impact of the Helpful Content Update, saw a 6x increase in traffic, while RetroDodo's founder noted a boost but also highlighted ongoing traffic losses.
• 🤔 Some critics argue that only vocal or recognizable brands are recovering, suggesting Google's update might be a PR move, but the script provides counterexamples.
• 🔗 Search Intelligence, a digital PR agency, gained significant attention and high-quality backlinks with a creative campaign about video game characters' real-life earnings.
• 📊 Despite some recoveries, not all sites are benefiting; SEO consultant Glenn Gabe's data shows only 12.5% of 390 sites affected by the Helpful Content Update are seeing improvement.
• 📈 Small sites are reporting traffic improvements, with some experiencing partial recoveries even without recent site updates.
• 📉 However, larger sites that benefited from previous updates, like CJEatsRecipes.com, are now experiencing traffic declines.
• 🔄 The update is not universally positive, with many sites either remaining flat or losing more traffic, indicating a complex and varied impact on different types of content sites.
• 🔄 Google's potential redesign of links in AI Overviews could increase attention and click-through rates, but may also complicate rank tracking.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the August 2024 core update by Google?

The main topic of the August 2024 core update by Google is to connect people to high-quality sites, including small or independent sites, and to address the issues faced by many sites after previous updates.

How has the August 2024 core update impacted small sites according to the early indications?

The early indications show that many small sites have received large traffic boosts, with some sites experiencing growth of over a thousand percent in just a few days.

What is the average growth percentage reported by SEO expert Lily Ray for the sites she tracked?

Lily Ray reported an average growth of around 200% for the 200 sites she tracked that were hit by the Helpful Content Update (HCU).

How has HouseFresh, an air purifier review site, been affected by the August 2024 core update?

HouseFresh has made a comeback with their traffic increasing at least 6 times this week and still trending upwards, after previously suffering due to the Helpful Content Update.

What is the perspective of some people regarding the recovery of sites like HouseFresh and RetroDodo?

Some people are complaining that only sites that have been very vocal about losing traffic or have a recognizable brand are seeing recoveries, and they claim this is just a PR move from Google.

What is the role of Search Intelligence in the video?

Search Intelligence is the sponsor of the video. They are a digital PR agency that recently gained attention with a unique study on how much video game characters would earn in real life, which helped secure prominent positions for their clients in the gaming industry.

What statistics did SEO consultant Glenn Gabe share regarding the helpful content update?

Glenn Gabe shared that out of 390 sites affected by the helpful content update, only 49 are seeing upward movement, which is just 12.5%. The rest are either stable or losing more traffic.

What are the potential implications of Google's redesign of how links are shown in AI Overviews?

The redesign may increase attention to these links and drive more clicks, potentially benefiting website traffic. However, it may also make tracking rankings in AI Overviews trickier due to Google reporting all links as being in the number one position.

How have major publishing conglomerates like Dotdash Meredith and Ziff Davis experienced the impact of AI Overviews on their web traffic?

Both Dotdash Meredith and Ziff Davis have reported that AI Overviews have had a negligible impact on their web traffic so far, with minor differences in click-through rates between pages with and without AI Overviews.

What is Reddit's plan regarding an on-site AI-powered search feature?

Reddit plans to test an on-site AI-powered search feature later this year with the goal of summarizing and recommending content, helping users find information and discover new communities.

What has been the trend in Reddit's search visibility since Google's helpful content update in September 2023?

Reddit's search visibility has skyrocketed since the helpful content update, increasing from 70 million visits in June 2023 to 607 million visits in August 2024.