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Google Core Update Expected Soon: What We Know So Far

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Updated on July 18, 2024

Google’s Search Liaison, Danny Sullivan, has hinted that the next core update will roll out shortly. While there’s no fixed date to share, website owners can expect the update in the coming weeks, to align with Google’s usual schedule of a late summer/early fall update.

This would make it the second core update of 2024, and the latest change following a turbulent few months with Google’s June spam update and algorithm leak.

For a large majority of small website owners and independent publishers, Google’s algorithm changes have been damaging. For example, the air purifier review website HouseFresh lost 91% of search traffic following March’s core update.

But what do we know so far and will this core update be a step in the right direction?

What Can Website Owners Expect From the Next Update?

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Sullivan couldn’t specify what the core update will focus on but hopes that hardworking site owners will be rightly rewarded this time around. I was surprised – and pleased – to see that Sullivan and 50 Google Search Quality team members spoke with HouseFresh and Retro Dodo (another site that spoke out against Google) to hear from website owners directly.

It’s an incredibly positive sign to see Google listen to impacted sites, but will the next core update right the wrongs and is it realistic to expect any feedback to be implemented in this core update? Can ranking positions and traffic be regained? It seems the intent is there to fix and reverse the damage that has been done, but only time will tell.

When Is the Next Google Core Update?

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While Sullivan has hinted that the next core update could be with us in just a few weeks, it all depends on internal testing and approval. There is no set date yet. It could be launched as early as tomorrow, in August as expected, or we may have to wait as long as September.

Either way, the clock is ticking. If you’re currently working on traffic recovery projects for your website, there’s still time – but it’s running out. Continue with your strategy but be aware that a core update is imminent at this point and it could shake things up again.

As of July 18th, there’s been growing volatility in the SERPs which could be a sign of the impending update. Nothing has been confirmed, but various trackers are reporting the change.

Semrush SERP volatility tracker for July — Source: Semrush

Advanced Web Ranking SERP volatility tracker for July — Source: Advanced Web Ranking

Written by:

Emma Ryan Writer

Emma is Lead Writer at Website Builder Expert, having first joined the team in 2022. She manages the website's topical content strategy to help website owners navigate the highs and lows of being online. Emma also specializes in following the development of leading website builders Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify, through hands-on testing and research. Her work and expertise have been featured in Startups.co.uk, Digiday, TechRound, Industry Today, and Digital Information World.