Google
August 2023 Core Update
In brief
Summer core update rolled out over about two weeks, with marked reshuffling across many content sites.
Key points
- Summer core update rolled out over roughly two weeks.
- Marked reshuffles on many content sites.
- Global reassessment of quality and relevance signals.
- High volatility throughout the rollout.
Analysis
The August 2023 core update caused notable movements, particularly on editorial and content sites. With no declared target, it adjusts the way Google evaluates the relative value of pages across all queries.
The high volatility observed reflects the scale of the reassessment. As with any core update, the analysis must cover the entire period, and recovery comes through a fundamental improvement in quality rather than quick fixes.
What to do
- Measure the impact over the full rollout window and identify winning and losing pages.
- Audit the depth and real usefulness of the most affected editorial content.
- Strengthen E-E-A-T and editorial differentiation rather than seeking an immediate technical fix.
Impact
High volatility. Global re-evaluation of quality and relevance signals.