Google is renowned for constantly evolving its search algorithms to deliver the most relevant and helpful results. In March 2024, a particularly significant update rolled out—a combination of a core update and new spam prevention measures.
This article will delve into what that means for website owners and content creators.
Understanding Core and Spam Updates
Core Update Vs Spam Update
Core Updates: These are broad changes to Google's core search ranking systems. Google releases several core updates annually, aiming to improve the overall quality and relevance of search results. Core updates can cause websites to fluctuate in rankings, sometimes dramatically.
Spam Updates: Spam updates specifically target manipulative tactics and low-quality content that violate Google's Search guidelines. These updates are essential for keeping search results free from spam and ensuring only genuine, helpful websites rank well.
Core Vs Spam Update
The March 2024 Core and Spam Update
What This Spam Update Focus On?
Google's March 2024 update was notable for several reasons:
Strong Focus on Content Quality: This update emphasized weeding out "unhelpful" content. This encompasses thin, poorly written, or unoriginal content that offers little value to users.
Helpful Content System Integrated: Google's Helpful Content System, first released in 2022, is now fully baked into the core ranking algorithms. This system rewards content demonstrably created for humans, not primarily for search engines.
New Spam Policies: Alongside the core update, Google introduced new rules to combat new forms of spam, including:Expired Domain Abuse: Targeting websites that repurpose expired domains solely for spammy purposes.Scaled Content Abuse: Penalizing sites that heavily rely on mass-produced, often low-quality content.Site Reputation Abuse: Reducing the visibility of websites with a history of misleading practices or user complaints.
Did the Updates Impact Your Site?
Here's how to tell if your website might have been affected by the March update:
Monitor Search Rankings: Use tools like Google Search Console to track changes in your website's rankings for important keywords. Significant drops after the update's rollout could signal impacts.
Check Traffic: Analyze your website traffic patterns. A sharp decline in organic search traffic around the time of the update might warrant investigation.
Assess Content Quality: Honestly evaluate your content. Is it in-depth, informative, unique, and genuinely helpful to the intended audience?
If you suspect your site was hit, or want to proactively protect yourself from future updates, here's what to focus on:
Prioritize Exceptional Content: The golden rule is to create content written with real people in mind. Strive for originality, insightful analysis, and answers to the questions users ask.
Type of Unhelpful Content
Avoid Keyword Stuffing: Focus on providing value over shoehorning specific keywords in unnatural ways.
Build Trust: Establish expertise in your niche. Cite sources, offer clear author information, and maintain a professional-looking site to foster credibility.
Stay Away from Spammy Tactics: This includes link schemes, cloaking, hidden text, doorway pages, and any other manipulation of search rankings.
Address User Feedback: If you get negative reviews or comments, take them as an opportunity to improve. Address problematic content or fix underlying issues on your site.
Best Practices Checklist
Best Practices Checklist
Best Practices Checklist
Update Rollout Time and Key Takeaways
Google's core updates and spam updates can take a couple of weeks to fully roll out. It's essential to be patient and focus on long-term strategies rather than chasing quick fixes.
Key Takeaways:
Content quality is more critical than ever.
Google is getting smarter at identifying websites built solely for search engines rather than genuine human needs.
Earning trust from users and Google is paramount.
There are no shortcuts for sustainable search success. Play by the rules and focus on providing long-term value.
By prioritizing excellent content and ethical practices, you'll put your website in the best position to weather Google updates and thrive in the long run.
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What process do you follow to create helpful content in collaboration with AI?
Founder @SEO Inventiv | Content Strategy, SEO, Link Building, Growth Marketing, White Label SEO Services
9moThank you for all the likes. Please do repost and share your thoughts in the comments. What process do you follow to create helpful content in collaboration with AI?