Latest Google Algorithm Updates: Who’s Winning, Who’s Losing, and How the “Losers” Can Recover

As a CMS supporting numerous websites across industries—from media outlets and news platforms to brands and personal blogs—we see firsthand how Google’s core algorithm updates affect publishers. Here’s an overview of key trends we’ve observed in 2024, detailing which content types are thriving, what’s being penalized, and guidance for those looking to recover and grow.

Sites on the Rise

Many sites have experienced growth following Google’s recent updates, especially the August 2024 core update. We commend Google for rewarding sites that demonstrate a commitment to quality and ethical practices. Here are common qualities among successful sites:

• Establish expertise and authority on their topics (E-E-A-T)
• Consistently publish useful content for users
• Maintain a steady publishing cadence, providing “early and regular” content
• Offer rich context with related links, multimedia, and clear subheadings addressing user questions on related topics
• Use structured data for authors to clarify expertise
• Prioritize user-friendly design and UX, featuring tables of contents and jump links for easy navigation
• Invest in top-notch technical SEO, enabling smooth user experiences and fast page loads

These practices help distinguish top-performing sites. The best online experiences prioritize creating valuable content for people—not for algorithms. We always emphasize this approach to our clients, aligning closely with Google’s guidance on “helpful, reliable, people-first content.”

Smart Use of AI

Can AI play a role? When applied thoughtfully, it can enhance editorial workflows and boost productivity. For instance, AI-generated headline suggestions can aid creativity and streamline optimization tasks, while still benefiting from editorial review. We offer three headline suggestions per prompt for editors to choose from. Another effective use is building an editorial chatbot that pulls from existing content archives, enabling teams to repurpose valuable material. These use cases help enrich the reader experience.

Sites Losing Momentum

Sites offering unoriginal or easily replicable content are particularly vulnerable to ranking drops. Websites that rely heavily on curating external content have faced more challenges, especially with Google’s AI Overviews offering similar summaries. Additionally, industries like lifestyle have been notably impacted by the August 2024 update. Lifestyle sites face intense competition with numerous platforms covering similar topics, further compounded by AI Overviews and the prominence of platforms like Reddit in search results.

To thrive, sites need to offer a unique, superior user experience, aligned closely with specific user search intents (focusing on niche phrases rather than broad keywords) and providing genuinely helpful content. E-E-A-T is crucial, requiring authors’ expertise to be clear, supported by structured data, and demonstrating in-depth knowledge. Complete context, answering related questions, and linking to additional resources (internal and external) is also key. Our Publisher Blueprints address these areas, and sites using them have largely avoided the “lost ground” category, benefiting from structured data and smart recirculation features.

Steps to Recover from Negative Impact

For sites facing setbacks, a path to recovery is achievable through several targeted actions:

• Content Audit: Begin with a comprehensive content audit to evaluate the quality, relevance, and positioning of your material, ensuring alignment with Google’s “content and quality questions.”
• Competitive Analysis: Assess competitors to identify strengths and areas for improvement, focusing on delivering an optimal user experience and valuable information. Aim to satisfy user intent with comprehensive pages, answer related questions, and enhance technical SEO.
• Establish Expertise: Build and showcase your authority, emphasizing why your site is the best resource for users’ needs. Developing original content in your area of expertise will help establish a strong, authentic voice.
• Content Volume Check: Prioritize quality over quantity. High-volume, low-quality content can dilute value; switching to higher-quality, lower-volume material is often a more effective strategy.
• AI and Automation Check: Evaluate your AI usage. Sites overly reliant on AI tools have faced penalties, especially after the March 2024 core update. Excessive automation or scaled content production without unique insights can be a red flag. Distinguishing yourself through expertise and unique content is key to recovery.

Focusing on Long-Term Success

When you focus on the best possible experience for your audience, alongside robust technical SEO and Core Web Vitals, you’ll build the foundation for sustainable growth. Our platform is designed to help showcase your work to the right audience, and Google will reward those efforts aligned with user-first content principles.

At Earn SEO, a leading search engine marketing company based in New York, we specialize in guiding businesses through the complexities of Google’s algorithm changes. By prioritizing tailored SEO strategies, high-quality content, and expert-driven authority, Earn SEO helps businesses of all sizes grow and thrive online, adapting to and benefiting from the latest SEO trends and algorithm updates. Let us help you turn algorithm changes into growth opportunities and build a long-lasting online presence.