In the Latest SEO agency News – Google March 2024 core update
Google has initiated a series of initiatives to enhance the quality of its search results, effective immediately.
The March 2024 core update and an array of SEO spam updates, collectively known as the March 2024 spam update, are being rolled out by Google. Additionally, Google has seamlessly integrated its helpful content system into the overarching core ranking system.
Moreover, Google has unveiled a set of updated spam policies, signaling their intent to enforce them through a combination of automated algorithms and manual actions.
March 2024 Core Update – A Substantial Leap
Today marks the commencement of Google’s inaugural core update and algorithmic revision for the year – the March 2024 core update.
Elizabeth Tucker, Google’s Director of Product, Search, revealed to Search Engine Land that this update aims to diminish unhelpful content in Google Search by an impressive 40%.
Tucker elaborated, stating, “We anticipate that the amalgamation of this update and our prior initiatives will result in a collective 40% reduction in low-quality, unoriginal content within search results.”
The deployment of the March 2024 core update is expected to span up to a month. Multiple systems will undergo updates and releases during this comprehensive overhaul.
Distinguishing itself from preceding core updates, this March core update introduces improvements to various elements within the overall core system. Due to its extensive impact on multiple systems, Google plans to roll out updates to these systems gradually over the ensuing weeks.
Characterized as a “more complex update than our usual core updates” by Chris Nelson from Google’s Search Quality team, this March 2024 core update incorporates changes across multiple core systems.
Google has fortified its core ranking systems to exhibit more useful results, employing an array of innovative signals and approaches.
Given the update’s focus on multiple core systems, Google anticipates increased fluctuations in rankings compared to regular core updates, as different systems undergo comprehensive updates that mutually reinforce one another.
According to Google, this update refines its understanding of webpages that are deemed “unhelpful, provide a poor user experience, or seem tailored for search engines rather than people.” This may include sites primarily crafted to align with highly specific search queries, according to Google’s announcement.
Google is implementing a series of measures to enhance the quality of its search results, starting immediately.
The March 2024 core update and several spam updates, collectively referred to as the March 2024 spam update, are being introduced by Google. Additionally, Google has seamlessly integrated its helpful content system into the overarching core update system.
Furthermore, Google has unveiled a set of updated spam policies, signaling their intent to enforce them through a combination of automated algorithms and manual actions.
March 2024 Core Update – A Substantial Leap
The initiation of the March 2024 core update brings significant changes. With this update, Google has decided to cease the announcement of new helpful content updates since the helpful content system is now an integral part of the core update system.
While the impact of the September 2023 helpful content update was substantial, its effects may carry over to the March 2024 core update. However, predicting specific outcomes at this stage proves challenging.
The classifier for the helpful content system has undergone a major overhaul and is now seamlessly integrated into the March 2024 core update. This update is not limited to helpful content classifiers but encompasses various systems, with work on the March 2024 core update commencing with the 2022 helpful content update.
For those experiencing a drop in rankings, Google recommends adhering to these guidelines:
No specific recovery actions are prescribed; a negative rankings impact doesn’t necessarily indicate issues with your pages.
Evaluate content quality by answering pertinent questions.
Await the next core update for significant changes, as improvements may occur gradually between updates.
Emphasize writing helpful content for people, rather than optimizing for search engines.
Google emphasizes that creators need not take any new or special actions for this update, provided they consistently produce satisfying content meant for people.
March 2024 Spam Updates
Google has also announced the release of new spam updates, collectively known as the March 2024 spam update, accompanied by updates to spam policies complementing the March 2024 core update.
Two of these spam updates will trigger automated and manual actions this week, with the site reputation abuse spam update scheduled for implementation on May 5.
Scaled Content Abuse Search Spam
An update to the old “spammy automatically-generated content” policy, the scaled content abuse search spam encompasses any method of producing content at scale to manipulate search rankings. Google asserts that content produced at scale, whether through automation, human effort, or a combination, is against its guidelines.
To address this, Google will take action against scaled content abuse through both algorithmic spam systems and manual actions.
Expired Domain Abuse Now Considered Spam
The practice of “expired domain abuse,” involving purchasing expired domains with the intention of boosting the search ranking of low-quality content, is now classified as spam. Google will take action against this practice through algorithmic spam systems and manual actions.
Site Reputation Abuse (Parasite SEO) is Spam Too
A new policy targets “site reputation abuse” or “Parasite SEO,” where third-party sites host low-quality content to capitalize on the ranking power of those sites. Google considers third-party content produced primarily for ranking purposes, without close oversight, to be spam.
Google offers a two-month advance notice of this policy, and actions against this abuse will commence in two months, specifically on May 5.
In light of recent concerns about Google search quality, these updates aim to address issues and deliver higher-quality search results. Google’s commitment to refining its algorithms and enhancing search quality is evident in these substantial updates and policy changes.
This update is currently wreaking havoc on SEO efforts and results for many SEO agencies around the world. Fortunately as Fuel Online also had a dedicated R&D department, and future planning strategy we saw this coming, have been well prepared and have seen virtually no negative impact on our clients rankings. Infact we’ve gained search engine rankings in some very tough categories. It’s important to utilize an SEO agency that doesn’t just go with the flow but researches, develops unique advanced techniques and tactics and understands how to provide service while abiding by Google’s suggested best practices and user experience protocols.
