The March 2024 Google Core Update has arrived, bringing with it significant algorithmic and policy changes designed to diminish low-quality content through penalties for manipulative AI misuse and the production of unhelpful information. Elizabeth Tucker, Google’s Director of Product for Search, anticipates a collective reduction of 40% in low-quality and unoriginal content within search results due to this update and past initiatives.
While the SERPs have not experienced substantial volatility thus far, the latest update has already influenced certain industries, as depicted in the following image:
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Analyzing the image, it becomes evident that industries such as publishing, which tend to house more content deemed spammy or unhelpful by Google, are most affected. This article delves into the specifics of the update and its implications for websites.
This particular Core Update stands out as more complex than usual, with Google explicitly highlighting the integration of the “helpful content” system into its core ranking algorithm. The aim is to dramatically decrease unhelpful content in search results and penalize websites generating spam content.
New spam policies target manipulative tactics such as site reputation exploitation, expired domain misuse, and the abuse of scaled content. Google emphasizes that these updates enable more targeted action under its spam policies, encouraging content creators to review their practices to align with Google’s standards. The term ‘creators’ suggests Google’s focus extends beyond webmasters.
A notable aspect of the update is Google’s mention of a “spam manual action,” indicating a shift towards human intervention in response to automated abuse by AI solutions.
The multi-faceted update aims to enhance user experience by improving search result quality and discouraging attempts to manipulate Google’s system. Key areas of focus include:
– Site reputation abuse, where trusted sites publish third-party content without oversight to exploit the first-party site’s ranking signals.
– Expired domain abuse, where purchased domains are used to boost the ranking of low-quality content.
– Scaled content abuse, where numerous pages are created solely to increase a site’s search ranking rather than aid users.
This update challenges site owners and SEO professionals, but it also benefits those adhering to Google’s guidelines. Google’s approach to AI content, though not explicitly termed as such, is evident through the use of “scaled content abuse,” suggesting that many affected sites have utilized AI-generated content.
Quora, Reddit, Food.com, Pinch of Yum, Geeksonsite.com, and Modern Aquarium.com have all seen significant traffic boosts post-update, demonstrating the alignment of the new guidelines with their content strategies.
Conversely, websites covering YMYL topics like finance, health, and safety have experienced ranking drops, highlighting the importance of quality content in these areas.
Following the update, sites have experienced varying outcomes, with some, like Zacjohnson.com and BeingSelfish, being deindexed due to low-quality content. It is crucial for websites to adhere to Google’s best practices and ensure content quality.
For those affected by the update or unsure of how to proceed, Coalition Technologies offers expertise in aligning websites with Google’s guidelines and ensuring compliance for optimal performance.
