Google’s August 2023 Core Update: What You Need to Know and How to Respond

Last Updated on June 12, 2025 by admin

Introduction: Understanding the Google August 2023 Core Update

Google’s Core Algorithm Updates are pivotal in shaping how websites rank on search engine results pages (SERPs). Every year, these updates refine Google’s ability to serve the most relevant, high-quality content to users. The August 2023 Core Update is no exception—bringing changes that could affect everything from SEO strategies to content development.

For digital marketers, website owners, and content creators, understanding the implications of these updates is crucial. In this guide, we’ll break down the August 2023 Core Update, identify the areas impacted most, and provide actionable insights on how to optimize your website to recover from ranking fluctuations or capitalize on the changes.

What is the Google August 2023 Core Update?

The Google Core Update is a broad, global change to Google’s search algorithm. These updates are designed to ensure that Google’s search results are more accurate, relevant, and aligned with user intent. The August 2023 update continues this trend by emphasizing several key areas, particularly focusing on:

• E.E.A.T. (Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness)

• Content Quality and Relevance

• User Experience (UX) signals, including mobile-friendliness and page load speed

The purpose of these updates is to refine how Google evaluates content, favoring websites that demonstrate strong expertise, offer high-quality content, and ensure a seamless user experience.

Key Changes in Google’s August 2023 Core Update

Although Google does not typically disclose the full details of a core update, SEO professionals have observed notable trends that can help us understand its impact. Here are the primary focus areas:

1. Increased Focus on E.E.A.T.

• Expertise: Google continues to prioritize content created by experts in their respective fields. Websites with authoritative writers or contributors—especially in critical areas like health, finance, and legal advice—are seeing improvements in their rankings.

• Authoritativeness: Content from trusted and well-established brands or recognized experts in the industry is favored. Websites must build and maintain their authority through high-quality backlinks, expert testimonials, and mentions from reputable sources.

• Trustworthiness: Google increasingly rewards sites that build trust with users. This includes demonstrating transparency about the sources of information, policies for user privacy, and providing clear and credible content.

2. Content Quality Over Quantity

• Websites that produce high-quality, unique, and relevant content are likely to benefit. This means focusing on well-researched, well-written, and comprehensive content that answers user questions effectively.

• Sites that rely on keyword stuffing, duplicate content, or low-effort articles may see a decline in their rankings as Google tightens its focus on delivering more valuable content to users.

3. User Experience (UX) Signals

• Mobile-first: Websites that are optimized for mobile performance are still prioritized by Google. Mobile-first design ensures that users have a seamless experience across all devices, which Google views as an essential ranking factor.

• Core Web Vitals: Google continues to focus on the importance of site performance, particularly in page load speed, visual stability, and interactivity. Sites with poor Core Web Vitals scores are likely to experience lower rankings.

Who is Affected by the August 2023 Core Update?

This update affected a wide range of websites, but certain sectors were more significantly impacted:

• News Websites: Websites that provide news and current events may have seen changes if they didn’t meet Google’s new content standards for expertise and trustworthiness. Inaccurate or misleading news content can lead to rankings dropping.

• Health and Finance Websites: Google places a high premium on E.E.A.T. for these categories. Websites providing advice on topics like health, well-being, finance, and legal matters must be authored by subject matter experts and backed by reputable sources.

• E-commerce Websites: If e-commerce sites feature thin product descriptions or rely heavily on user-generated content (e.g., reviews and comments), they may see fluctuations in rankings if their content lacks depth or authority.

• Content Farms and Low-Quality Blogs: Websites that create low-effort, keyword-stuffed content are particularly vulnerable to ranking declines. Google is now able to distinguish content that adds value versus content that is just designed to attract traffic.

How to Prepare for and Respond to the August 2023 Core Update

If your website has been negatively impacted by the August 2023 Core Update—or you simply want to stay ahead of future updates—here are some actionable steps to improve your rankings:

1. Prioritize E.E.A.T. (Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness)

• Expert Authorship: If your content isn’t already written or reviewed by subject matter experts, consider bringing in credible experts to create or evaluate the content. For instance, if you run a health blog, consult doctors or health practitioners for their insights and ensure that their credentials are prominently displayed.

• Cite Authoritative Sources: Whenever possible, link to authoritative sites such as government agencies, educational institutions, and well-known industry figures. This will improve your content’s credibility and show Google that your content is well-researched.

• Show Transparency: Ensure your site is clear about who you are, what your credentials are, and how you source your information. About Us and Contact pages are essential in establishing trustworthiness.

2. Create High-Quality, In-Depth Content

• Comprehensive Guides and Articles: Go beyond surface-level content. Create long-form, well-researched articles that address the topic in-depth, providing detailed, actionable information. This is especially important for topics with high user intent, such as SEO tips or tech product reviews.

• Address User Intent: Focus on providing exactly what users are looking for. Use tools like Google Search Console, Answer the Public, or Keyword Planner to discover what questions your audience is asking and tailor your content accordingly.

• Visual Content: Use infographics, charts, and videos to make the content more engaging and digestible. Visual content improves user experience and can increase the time spent on your page.

3. Enhance User Experience (UX)

• Optimize for Mobile: With more people browsing via mobile, ensuring that your site is mobile-friendly is essential. Test your site with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to ensure it offers a seamless experience on mobile devices.

• Speed Optimization: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify issues slowing down your site. Google ranks faster sites higher because they deliver better user experience.

• Simplify Navigation: Make it easy for users to find what they are looking for. An intuitive website structure reduces bounce rates and improves user engagement.

4. Ensure Core Web Vitals Optimization

• Improve Core Web Vitals: Focus on improving your site’s loading speed, visual stability (avoiding layout shifts), and interactivity (making sure that users can interact with the page quickly).

• Leverage Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): CDNs can help improve load speeds, especially for users in various geographical locations.

5. Regularly Update Content

• Google values freshness in content. Regularly update older articles to reflect new information, especially for industries like tech, health, or finance where new trends and data emerge frequently.

Conclusion: How to Stay Ahead of Google’s Core Updates

The August 2023 Core Update is a reminder that high-quality, user-focused content remains at the heart of Google’s ranking system. To succeed, focus on improving your site’s E.E.A.T., ensuring a positive user experience, and delivering valuable, high-quality content. By implementing the actionable tips outlined in this guide, you can recover from any ranking fluctuations caused by this update and set your site up for long-term SEO success.

FAQs: Addressing Your Questions About the August 2023 Core Update

1. How long will it take to recover from the August 2023 Core Update?

   • The recovery process can vary depending on the changes you make. It may take several weeks to months for your rankings to stabilize after improving content quality and user experience.

2. How do I know if my website has been affected by the update?

   • Use Google Analytics and Google Search Console to track traffic changes. Significant drops or changes in rankings post-update can indicate an impact.

3. Is there a penalty for failing to comply with the August 2023 Core Update?

   • No, core updates do not involve penalties. Instead, they recalibrate rankings based on content quality and other factors, meaning your site may see a drop if it doesn’t meet Google’s quality standards.

4. Can I still rank well with shorter content?

   • Yes, short content can still rank well if it thoroughly answers the user’s query and offers high quality. However, longer, in-depth content often performs better for complex topics or informational queries.