In a major update to its search algorithms and policies, Google is cracking down on low-quality content and spammy websites. The March 2024 Core Update, which rolled out earlier this month, is designed to significantly improve the user experience by surfacing more helpful and trustworthy information in search results.
A Two-pronged Approach: Algorithmic Refinement and New Spam Policies
The update tackles the issue from two angles. First, Google has refined its core ranking algorithms to better identify and downrank unhelpful content. This includes websites that prioritize search engine optimization (SEO) tactics over creating content that genuinely benefits users. Additionally, content that feels mass-produced or designed to match specific keywords without offering real value will be less likely to show up at the top of search results.
Even trustworthy websites can be infiltrated with low-quality content. This can happen when a third-party contributor, aiming to piggyback on the site’s reputation, publishes irrelevant or misleading content. Imagine finding payday loan reviews on a respected educational website! Such content, if it ranks highly in search results, can confuse visitors who trust the website for a different kind of information.
Secondly, Google has introduced new spam policies to target specific manipulative practices. These include:
- Expired Domain Abuse: This tackles the issue of websites that were once legitimate but have been repurposed by new owners to house spammy content.
- Scaled Content Abuse: This targets websites that use automated methods to churn out large amounts of low-quality content in an attempt to manipulate search rankings.
- Site Reputation Abuse: This policy aims to prevent websites from using the reputation of other well-established sites to improve their own search ranking.
A 40% Reduction in “Unhelpful” Content
Google estimates that the March 2024 Core Update will lead to a 40% reduction in “unhelpful” content appearing in search results. This translates to a more streamlined search experience for users, who will be presented with content that is more relevant, informative, and trustworthy.
What Creators Need to Know
Website owners and content creators should focus on creating high-quality, informative content that provides genuine value to users. Google emphasizes that content should be created with people in mind, not just search engines.
Overall, the March 2024 Core Update represents a significant step forward for Google Search. By prioritizing helpful and trustworthy content, Google aims to provide users with a more positive and productive search experience.
Google Previous core updates.
- The November 2023 core update was on November 2nd and ended on November 28.
- The October 2023 core update was on October 5th and ended on October 19
- The August 2023 core update was on August 22nd and ended on September 7.
- The March 2023 core update was on March 15th and ended on March 28th.
- The September 2022 broad core update was less impactful than previous core updates and finished on Sept. 26.
- The May 2022 broad core update was a significant and fast update.
- The November 2021 core update
- The July 2021 core update.
- The June 2021 core update, which was slow to roll out but a big one.
