Archive

What to Know About Google’s August Algorithm Update

21st August 2018

On the 1st of August 2018, Google introduced a core search algorithm update, which targets broad searches around the world and is now fully rolled out.  Despite being the third algorithm update of the year so far, August 1 has been labelled the biggest update since Penguin back in 2012.

Google have not disclosed much helpful information about the algorithm, other than calling it a broad, global, core update. This means it should, theoretically, affect every website across all sectors. However, although Google has not confirmed, a lot of research implies there has been a focus on health and medical sites, leading to the nickname ‘Medic Update’.

What Does This Mean for SEO Professionals?

Google have advised webmasters not to make any technical changes to their websites and said that there is no easy fix for those who do notice a drop in rankings. They have said that there is nothing necessarily wrong with these websites, but that the update is aimed at helping those that have previously been underrated. As a result, Google are simply encouraging us to focus on user experience and continue to produce optimised content.

As an SEO agency, our advice would be to ensure your content is authoritative and trustworthy, particularly if you website focuses on health or medicine. You can do this by carrying out lots of research beforehand, checking and rechecking your facts, and making sure you quote the experts with a link to where you sourced your information.

It’s also worth improving your site speed by compressing your images and including browser caching, amongst other straightforward changes. There are plenty of tools you can use to assess your site speed, such as Google’s PageSpeed Insights.

If you require any support in improving your site rankings and overall SEO, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01707 875 721 and we will happily propose a strategy for you. You can find out more about our approach to SEO here.

Lets Get Started Contact Us
Latest News
SEO in the Age of AI: Becoming the Trusted Answer
At Innermedia, we’ve long recognised that SEO is no longer just about convincing Google to rank you first. Today, it’s about educating AI-powered recommendation engines—from ChatGPT to Siri and Copilot—to understand, trust, and consistently choose your brand as the most logical, authoritative answer.  The Changing Definition of SEO 1998 to...
Amazon’s Lens Live: How This AI-Powered Visual Shopping Tool Can Shape Your Brand’s Digital Strategy
At Innermedia, we’re always keeping an eye on the digital innovations that redefine customer engagement—and Amazon’s newly launched Lens Live is one such leap. Here’s why it matters to forward-thinking businesses and what it could mean for your digital marketing and web presence. What Is Lens Live? Amazon has unveiled...
Why Website Speed Is Your Secret Conversion Weapon
In the digital age, your website is often the first interaction a potential customer has with your brand. But here’s the truth most businesses overlook: if your website loads slowly, you’re losing conversions before the user even sees your content. Website speed isn’t just a technical detail, it’s a powerful...