Google’s March 2024 core update – What happened?

Google's March 2024 core update!

Google’s recent algorithm update in March 2024, targeting core updates and spam issues, is poised to enhance the search experience by prioritising quality and originality in search results. Whether you’re a business owner, blogger, or SEO specialist, understanding the implications of this update is necessary for safeguarding your online presence.

Diving into the Latest Google Algorithm Update

The latest Google algorithm update introduces mechanisms to identify valuable content while combatting forms of spam. Unlike previous updates, this one employs an array of signals to assess content quality both at the page and website levels.

Announced on March 5, 2024, Google outlined its objective

On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, Google announced the change, saying:

“The March 2024 core update is a more complex update than our usual core updates, involving changes to multiple core systems. It also marks an evolution in how we identify the helpfulness of content…We’re announcing three new spam policies against bad practices we’ve seen grow in popularity: expired domain abuse, scaled content abuse, and site reputation abuse.”

Posted by Chris Nelson on behalf of the Google Search Quality team

These measures are designed to ensure that content creators prioritise quality and relevance over resorting to manipulative tactics

Let's delve into the specifics of these new spam policies

1. Combatting Expired Domain Abuse

Expired domain abuse involves repurposing high quality expired domains with low-value content. By leveraging the domain’s past reputation, individuals acquire domains with established backlink networks or organic traffic and fill them with unrelated or inferior content.

2. Addressing Scaled Content Abuse

Scaled content abuse encompasses tactics aimed at mass-producing content to manipulate search rankings. Techniques include leveraging AI-generated text, content scraping, and aggregating content from disparate sources.

3. Confronting Site Reputation Abuse

Site reputation abuse involves posting third-party content on authoritative websites with no relevance or insight. Site reputation abuse update will apparently take effect in early May 2024. So website owners are encouraged to adapt promptly.

Initial Rollouts Target AI-Generated Content

Early reports following the rollout indicate significant impacts on websites. Additionally according to Search Engine Journal, 1.7% of monitored sites were de-indexed. at this time translating to over 20 million monthly organic visits lost overnight.

Google’s focus on original, valuable content underscores the inadequacy of purely AI-generated content. In December 2022, Google incorporated “experience” into its EAT (expertise, authority, trustworthiness) guidelines, rebranding them as E-E-A-T.

Addressing Scaled Content Abuse

Whether employing generative AI, manual techniques, or a combination to produce "scaled content," the outcome remains the same. An attempt to manipulate Google's search rankings. Acknowledge that this content constitutes spam. Also know Google is committed to combatting it through proactive measures.

Strategies to Positively Navigate Google’s Algorithm Updates

Soften the impact of Google’s algorithm updates. So you align with evolving standards, adopting proactive strategies is imperative.

1. Content Review

Assess existing content to ensure uniqueness, expertise, and relevance. Additionally refresh or rework articles with AI-generated or low-quality content.

2. Author Expertise

Showcase author expertise through author pages. Highlight qualifications and industry experience so you display credibility.

3. Prioritise Quality

Emphasise quality over quantity. In general focusing on producing well-researched, comprehensive content that adds value to users.

4. Build Backlinks

Cultivate a diverse and authoritative backlink profile to enhance credibility and trustworthiness.

5. Enhance User Experience

Optimise website performance for fast loading times, mobile responsiveness, and intuitive navigation.

6. Regular Audits

Conduct periodic website audits to address technical issues and ensure content accessibility and discoverability.

Implementing these strategies, website owners can navigate Google’s algorithm updates effectively. Hence safeguarding their online presence and fostering sustainable growth.