“We’re All Playing in Google’s Yard”: Speaking to Sites Affected by the Algo Update

I was prepared for core updates as a matter of principle, but nothing specifically about the August update. My data showed website traffic down about 21% in the weeks following. As annoying as that is, staying on top of updates is key to reducing volatility.

My focus has been re-evaluating content and links, ensuring mobile-friendliness, and watching for new crawl errors. Duplicate content is a frequent issue, so canonical tags help. Creating specialized landing pages, like for product collections, builds authority and attracts backlinks.

The technical side is crucial – responsive design, page speed, HTTPS, fixing broken links. I use tools to check link quality and run backlink analyses. Some links have been disavowed. Regular audits find new issues.

While core updates can be frustrating, the point is keeping users engaged. I’m doubling down on strategies like social proof, FAQs, and imagery. Community outreach, like sponsoring local events, builds goodwill and boosts traffic long-term. Staying nimble and keeping the long view is key.

As the co-founder of SiteHike, a web development agency, Google’s algorithm updates are always on my radar. While we aim to stay ahead of shifts, predicting the impact of updates is challenging.

Our analytics showed a 15% drop in organic traffic after August’s update. We analyzed our top performing and declining pages, finding technical issues and thin content. Optimizing page load speeds, fixing links, and improving content, traffic rebounded within weeks.

Understanding Google’s goal of the best user experience, we focus on the same. Frustrating temporarily, core updates encourage strengthening our digital foundation. The key is avoiding knee-jerk reactions and consistent best practices. Short term drops are often temporary as Google refines results. Patience and continuous optimization pay off.

I was somewhat surprised by the August update. ENX2 has focused for years on building a quality site and creating helpful resources for our clients and community. However, there’s always room for improvement. We saw a small dip in traffic that lasted a couple of weeks.

To adapt, we freshened some older blog posts and case studies, and improved page load times. We also started an email newsletter to deepen our connection with clients. Community interaction is key for us, so we reached out to association leaders and offered to provide resources and speakers for their events.

While annoying, core updates keep us on our toes. We know Google aims to provide the most helpful results, so we re-examine how we’re serving users and make adjustments. Staying flexible and keeping the focus on relationships, not just rankings, is how we endure.

As the Founder and CEO of Nerdigital.com, I make it a priority to stay on top of Google’s core updates, including the August 2023 rollout. To be honest, while we felt prepared for the update, there’s always an element of unpredictability when Google makes changes. Our SEO strategy is built on quality content and user experience, so we weren’t overly concerned about major disruptions.

Since the update finished rolling out, we’ve noticed some positive shifts in traffic, particularly around niche content areas where we’ve been focusing on value and relevance. However, there were minor fluctuations that required us to fine-tune certain pages, which is expected after any core update.

Regarding Google’s actions, I appreciate the continuous improvement, but it can be frustrating when changes aren’t fully transparent. It’s a reminder that businesses must stay agile and adaptable to maintain visibility in search rankings.

Despite having an SEO plan in place, preparing for such core updates is always a unique challenge. We focused on creating quality content and ensuring a good user experience – two elements that Google greatly values.

In terms of impact, we initially noticed a slight dip in organic traffic. Despite the daunting numbers, this allowed us to identify and improve areas Google deemed lacking, eventually leading to a positive change. Post-implementation, there’s been a marked increase in quality traffic and improved user engagement.

While these algorithm rollouts can induce a sense of anxiety, being a part of the digital world means adapting to these changing dynamics. They force us to consistently re-evaluate and optimize our digital strategies. So, in retrospect, while they’re challenging, they’re also opportunity creators to fine-tune aspects of our website that we might be overlooking.

In essence, the recent Google update served as a catalyst for a more user-focused approach, which ultimately is crucial for sustainable business growth.

Our company was indeed ready for this core update. With two decades of digital presence under our belt, we’ve navigated numerous updates and have learned to stay prepared to avoid major disruptions.

Post-update, we have noticed some fluctuations in our site ranking, some positive and others not as much. But that’s absolutely normal with any such core updates, and we keep refining our SEO strategy to adapt.

Regarding Google’s actions, I believe they are necessary for an ever-evolving digital landscape. Sometimes they’re a headache, sure, but ultimately they push us towards improving our web practices, which I think benefits everyone in the long run. After all, we’re all playing in Google’s yard, and it’s fair that they get to set the rules.

Our traffic has seen a noticeable uptick, and our search rankings have improved for key terms related to internet plans and data comparison. This boost in visibility has translated into more users accessing our unbiased information, which is exactly what we aim for. It’s gratifying to see that our commitment to providing valuable content is being recognized and rewarded by Google’s algorithms.

I’m generally pleased with Google’s actions regarding this update. As someone who wears multiple hats – a developer, a healthcare technology specialist, and a medical student – I appreciate the emphasis on expertise and quality content. This update seems to be a step in the right direction for promoting trustworthy information online, which is crucial in both the tech and healthcare sectors.

However, I’m aware that not all small businesses have had the same positive experience. Some of my colleagues in the industry have reported significant drops in traffic, which can be devastating for smaller operations. While I believe in the importance of high-quality content, I also sympathize with those negatively impacted and hope that Google continues to refine its approach to support diverse voices online.

To wrap this up, while the August core update has been beneficial for Net Speed Canada, I do recognize the challenges it presents for the broader small business community. As we move forward, I’ll continue to advocate for creating valuable, user-focused content while also keeping an eye on how these updates affect the digital landscape as a whole.

As someone running a small business with an active website, I felt quite prepared for the Google August core update. We’ve always focused on building high-quality content, optimizing for user experience, and following SEO best practices, so we didn’t expect any significant upheavals.

Since the update rolled out, we’ve seen a positive impact on our website. Our traffic has increased slightly, and our bounce rate has improved. This tells me that Google’s algorithm favors the content we’ve been producing – engaging, relevant material with clear value to our audience. It’s a nice validation that all the effort we’ve put into improving our site’s quality has paid off.

As for Google’s actions, I’m actually happy with the update. While algorithm changes can be disruptive for those relying on short-term SEO tricks, these updates encourage businesses to create meaningful content and better user experiences. It keeps us on our toes but ultimately makes the internet a better place for users and companies alike.

We were as ready as one could be in this often shifting SEO terrain. Our method is like fine-tuning a machine: continually changing and optimizing depending on what we know, then keeping agile for unanticipated events. Although every action Google takes is unpredictable, we thought our strong basis came from our good SEO techniques and user-oriented content.

Luckily, the results have been mainly favorable. It was good news when we observed an increase in organic traffic, particularly from overseas markets. It’s like seeing a well-maintaining engine operate better following a tune-up. We have had to somewhat readjust though as we did see some changes in ranks for long-tail keywords.

We’re not unhappy; Google’s adjustments are the cost of participating in the SEO game. It’s more like watching the ball in a fast-paced sport; you will lose out if you lack agility. Knowing that in our business sitting stagnant is not a possibility, we regard it as a chance to hone and advance.

I made sure to stay informed and adapt my strategies ahead of the August core update, but like most, you never truly feel 100% ready. Since the rollout, I’ve noticed subtle improvements in engagement metrics, which shows Google’s focus on quality content is working in our favor.

Honestly, it’s always a bit nerve-wracking when a major Google update rolls around. We did our best to prepare by focusing on solid SEO practices, like improving our site’s user experience, ensuring our content is valuable, and keeping our technical SEO in check. We also kept an eye on any announcements and best practices from Google to make sure we were on top of things. But you never really know how things will shake out until the update is fully rolled out.

After the update finished rolling out, we did see some changes. We experienced a bit of a dip in traffic initially, which was a bit concerning. It looks like some of the keywords we were ranking well for took a hit. However, we’ve also noticed some improvements in other areas. It seems like the update might have affected some of the competitive keywords, but we’ve picked up traction in niche areas where our content is strong. It’s a mixed bag, but we’re adapting and tweaking our strategy to get back on track.

[Are you happy or annoyed by Google’s actions?] I’d say I’m a bit of both – frustrated and understanding. On one hand, these updates can be tough to navigate and can lead to some stressful moments as we adjust. On the other hand, I get that Google’s trying to make search results better for users, which is a good thing in the long run. It keeps us on our toes and pushes us to continually improve our site. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster, but it’s part of the game.

As a roofer, I’m not as intimately involved with the intricacies of Google’s algorithm updates as a digital marketer might be. While I do have a basic understanding of how SEO can impact my business’ online visibility, I primarily focus on providing quality roofing services and ensuring my customers are satisfied.

To be honest, I wasn’t actively preparing for the Google August core update. I’ve been focusing more on building a solid reputation through great customer service and quality workmanship. While I’m aware of the importance of online presence, I haven’t been as proactive in tracking algorithm changes or making specific adjustments to my website.

I haven’t really noticed any significant changes in my website traffic or rankings since the update. My business is pretty steady, and I haven’t seen any major fluctuations that could be directly attributed to the update. This could be because I’ve been consistent with my approach to content and SEO, or it could simply mean that the update hasn’t had a major impact on my specific niche.

I’m not particularly annoyed or happy about Google’s actions. From my perspective, as long as my business is doing well and I’m able to reach my target customers, I’m content. While I understand that algorithm updates can be disruptive, I’m more focused on providing value to my clients and building a strong reputation.