If your rankings shifted in July, you’re not imagining it — Google rolled out a major SEO update, and it didn’t go unnoticed.
I manage several content sites and help small businesses rank locally, so when Google sneezes, I catch the cold. This update felt different. Not just another “small adjustment,” but something that altered the performance of some content types, particularly those that prioritize quantity over quality.
Let’s dissect it.
💥 The Most Significant Effects I Saw
1. Thin, AI-Generated Content Took a Hit
Sites relying on mass-produced AI content — especially those without editing, original insight, or personality — dropped hard. I’m talking thousands of keywords gone overnight in some niches.
I saw one case where a site had 500+ AI-generated posts go live in June. By mid-July, traffic was down 40%. Google’s clearly drawing a line between content written for humans vs content pumped out for search engines.
2. First-Hand Experience Got Rewarded
I run a hobby blog where I share my own travel experiences. Some posts like “How I survived a 12-hour bus ride in Nepal” or “My real Airbnb disaster in Rome” jumped in rankings — even above big travel sites.
Why? Because it’s personal, unique, and written by someone who actually lived it.
This feels like the most human-focused update we’ve seen in years.
3. Author Credibility Matters More Than Ever
Google’s been hinting at this with its E-E-A-T principles (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness), but now it’s showing in the results.
I helped a client rework their blog by:
Adding real author names and bios
Linking to their LinkedIn profiles
Including relevant credentials or backstories
Within two weeks, their blog traffic started climbing back up.
⚠️ Who Got Hit the Hardest?
Based on my observations from client projects and forums:
websites that post a lot of generic content without any real authors
Pages that don’t add anything new and just restate what is already ranking
Affiliate websites that don’t genuinely test or utilize the goods they endorse
Content that is heavily optimized for search engines rather than people
✅ Who Gained?
Authentic writers in niche markets
Blogs that concentrate on a single subject in depth rather than pursuing every popular keyword
Companies whose content features actual people
Websites that improved the formatting, facts, and internal links of older content
🔧 Things You Must Do (Now)
If you’re serious about surviving upcoming updates, I suggest the following:
1. Personalize Your Content
Put your voice in there. Your story. Your opinions. Even if you’re in a “boring” niche, try to add real examples from your own experience.
2. Update Your About & Author Pages
3. Cut the Fluff
Be honest — some of your content might be filled with filler. Trim it. Make it useful. Structure it clearly with headers, bullet points, and clear answers.
4. Refresh Old Posts
I did this on one of my sites by adding updated info, new screenshots, and better internal links — and I saw a 15% traffic bump without writing anything new.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Google is finally rewarding what we always knew worked: honest, helpful, human-first content.
This update felt like a clear message: Stop trying to game the algorithm. Start trying to help the reader.
If you do that — consistently, and with care — you’ll weather any update Google throws at us.
Have you seen ranking changes this month? I’d love to hear what you’re seeing in your niche. Let’s swap notes — drop a comment or shoot me a message.