Google has released a slew of updates aimed at drastically improving search result quality and reducing unhelpful content by 40%.
March 2024 Core Update
The March 2024 core update, which started on March 5, is more complex than usual core updates. It enhances several components of the overall core ranking system:
- Helpful Content Integration: The helpful content system is now baked into the core ranking algorithms. Some site owners felt they were unfairly impacted by the September 2023 Helpful Content Update. Google has hopefully refined the algorithm further now that is is part of the core.
- Refined Unhelpful Content Detection: Google has improved its understanding of unhelpful, poor UX pages that seem created for search engines over people. Brands should avoid trying to game the system. Focus on content real humans would sit down and read.
- Expect More Fluctuations: With multiple core systems being updated, rankings may fluctuate more than a typical core update as the changes reinforce each other. After big updates, give your rankings a month or two to settle. Then, re-evaluate and see if your SEO strategy needs a refresh.
Elizabeth Tucker, Director of Product, Search at Google, said: “We expect that the combination of this update and our previous efforts will collectively reduce low-quality, unoriginal content in search results by 40%.”
Spam Updates & Policies
Alongside the core update, Google is releasing spam updates and policy changes to further combat low-quality content, including:
- Scaled Content Abuse: Producing content at scale primarily to manipulate rankings, whether automated or manual, is now against guidelines.
- Expired Domain Abuse: Buying expired domains to boost the ranking of low-quality content is now considered spam.
- Site Reputation Abuse: Hosting third-party content without close oversight to gain ranking benefits (aka “Parasite SEO”) is also spam.
Google Drops the Hammer
The March 2024 Core Update is a wake-up call for website owners and marketers. If you’ve been cutting corners and focusing on your rankings instead of your customers and brand, it’s time to stop. Google has a clear message: only those who prioritize genuine, valuable content will thrive.
That’s why at Dia Creative, we always prioritize balancing bot-targeted content with engaging, high-quality content that humans not only enjoy reading but also convert for our clients.
Keep Reading: Search Engine Land
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