What is Google’s March 2024 Core Update About?
Google rolled out a significant update in March 2024 aimed at weeding out low-quality content from search results. This update prioritises valuable and original information by improving ranking algorithms and strengthening spam policies. Google will now target large-scale content creation for SEO purposes, low-quality content hosted by reputable websites, and repurposed expired domains – all with the goal of making search results more trustworthy and helpful for users.
Here we explain everything in greater detail about Google’s March 2024 update.
Prioritising High-Quality Content
The update focuses on enhancing algorithms to prioritise the most valuable information available online, while diminishing the presence of unoriginal content in search queries. Google stated improvements have been made to their core ranking systems “to ensure we surface the most helpful information on the web and reduce unoriginal content in search results.”
Combating Spam with Sharper Tools
Google has continually refined its spam-fighting strategies and policies to eliminate low-quality content from search results. This effort is ongoing. The announcement detailed several updates to these policies specifically designed to address new and evolving tactics that manipulate search results with low-quality content. Google remarked “We’re making several updates to our spam policies to better address new and evolving abusive practices that lead to unoriginal, low-quality content showing up on Search
Tackling Scaled Content Creation
For years, Google has had a policy against the large-scale generation of low-quality or unoriginal content through automation, specifically designed to manipulate search rankings. Google acknowledged “This policy was originally designed to address instances of content being generated at scale where it was clear that automation was involved.” However, content creation methods have grown more sophisticated, making it challenging to determine if automation is solely responsible. To address these advancements, Google is strengthening its policy to target this manipulative behaviour – content production on a large scale for the purpose of boosting search ranking – regardless of whether automation, human effort, or a combination of both is used. Google explained “This will allow us to take action on more types of content with little to no value created at scale, like pages that pretend to have answers to popular searches but fail to deliver helpful content.”
Addressing Site Reputation Abuse
In some instances, reputable websites with high-quality content may also host low-quality content from third parties seeking to capitalise on the established website’s reputation. Google provided the example of “a third party might publish payday loan reviews on a trusted educational website to gain ranking benefits from the site.” Such content appearing prominently in search results can mislead users who have vastly different expectations for the content based on the website. To address this, Google will now consider “very low-value, third-party content produced primarily for ranking purposes and without close oversight of a website owner to be spam.”
The company is issuing a two-month notice before enforcement begins on May 5th to allow website owners to make any necessary changes.
Combating Expired Domain Abuse
On occasion expired domains are purchased and repurposed with the main goal of boosting search ranking for low-quality or unoriginal content. This can mislead users into believing the new content is part of the older, established site, which may not be true. Google has made it clear that “expired domains that are purchased and repurposed with the intention of boosting the search ranking of low-quality content are now considered spam.”
A Continuous Effort
Every day, Google helps people with countless questions. However, there will always be room for improvement. Google recognises this, stating “We’ll continue to work hard at keeping low-quality content on Search to low levels, and showing more information created to help people.” The company is committed to ongoing efforts to ensure users can find the most valuable information available online.
How to maintain website rankings after a Google update?
At DoLocal, we understand that keeping up with the latest twists and turns in the SEO world can feel like a full-time job in itself. That’s why we’re here! We take pride in staying ahead of the curve when it comes to search engine optimisation. Our team of SEO experts are constantly analysing the latest updates from Google, like Google’s March 2024 update that we have explained above. This allows us to translate those changes into actionable strategies for our clients.
We’ll help you understand how Google’s algorithm updates might affect your website and ensure you stay visible in search results. By partnering with DoLocal, you can focus on what you do best – running your business – and leave the complexities of SEO to us. We’ll make sure your website continues to attract high-quality traffic and keep you ahead of the competition.
To get your website ranking high on search engines, get in touch.
