Google’s March 2024 Update: A Major Shakeup for Search
Google has launched a major core update, expected to take a month to fully roll out. This update aims to significantly reduce low-quality content in search results and includes updates to the “Helpful content” system. While Google anticipates fluctuations in rankings over the next few weeks, the full impact of the update remains to be seen. This blog post dives deeper into what we know so far about the March 2024 core update and its potential impact on search results.
At Spigital, we closely studied the impact of the March 2023 Core Update and analyzed the rank fluctuations to identify the key changes made to Google’s algorithm. Our findings led us to create a list of 10 recommendations for businesses and website owners to consider, helping to make their website more affable to the algorithm update. By following these recommendations, website owners can not only survive but thrive in the wake of the March 2024 Core Update.
The recent Google core update in March 2024 has sent shockwaves through the SEO community, with experts comparing its impact to historical updates like Panda and Penguin. This update appears to be a significant shift in how Google ranks websites, focusing heavily on quality and expertise.
Here are some key takeaways from the available information:
1. Major Update with Widespread Impact:
Experts agree that this update is one of the most significant Google has implemented in recent years, affecting websites across various niches. Unlike previous updates that targeted specific issues, this update seems to be a more fundamental change in how Google evaluates websites for ranking.
2. Removing Low-Quality Content:
One of the update’s goals appears to be eliminating low-quality content from search results. This is evident from reports of entire websites being removed, especially those that have persisted through past updates despite lacking quality.
3. Expertise and Focus Matter:
The case of a publisher whose network of eight diverse niche websites got delisted suggests that Google might be looking for deeper topical expertise. Websites lacking genuine expertise in their chosen fields might be penalized.
4. Targeting Sites Created Quickly:
The rapid creation of a network of websites across different niches might be a red flag for Google. This suggests that focusing on building a single high-quality website with genuine expertise might be a safer strategy.
5. Manual Actions Happening Quickly:
Websites are reportedly receiving manual actions, which are penalties imposed by Google reviewers, at a faster pace than usual. This indicates that Google might be actively identifying and removing low-quality content.
6. Inconsistent Communication About Manual Actions:
Reports suggest inconsistent communication from Google regarding manual actions. Some businesses receive email notifications, while others discover penalties directly in their Search Console. Additionally, traffic decline might precede official communication from Google.
Overall, the March 2024 update signals a clear message from Google: they prioritize high-quality content with genuine expertise. Websites that focus on user-centric content, demonstrate deep knowledge in their niche, and avoid manipulative tactics are likely to fare better in the new search landscape.
It’s important to note that the information available is based on anecdotal evidence and observations. While the points mentioned above offer insights, they should not be interpreted as definitive or official Google statements.
For the latest information and official guidance, it’s recommended to refer to Google’s Search Central blog and resources.
10 Recommendations to Make Your Website More Affable to the March 2024 Core Update
Focus on Quality and Expertise:
- Create high-quality, informative content: Google prioritizes content that is valuable, informative, and addresses user search intent. Invest in creating well-researched, well-written content that genuinely helps users.
- Demonstrate expertise in your niche: Showcase your knowledge and authority in your chosen field. Cite credible sources, back up claims with data, and offer unique insights and analyses.
- Focus on user experience: Ensure your website is user-friendly, with clear navigation, fast loading times, and mobile responsiveness. Prioritize a positive user experience to keep visitors engaged.
Avoid Manipulative Tactics:
- Stay away from thin content: Avoid creating thin content, which is content with little to no value or substance. Focus on creating in-depth content that explores topics comprehensively.
- Build backlinks naturally: Don’t engage in manipulative link-building practices. Focus on acquiring backlinks organically through high-quality content and building genuine relationships with other websites.
- Avoid keyword stuffing: Don’t overuse keywords in your content in an attempt to manipulate search rankings. Google penalizes keyword stuffing and prioritizes content that reads naturally.
Stay Updated and Adapt:
- Follow Google’s guidelines: Stay updated on Google’s Search Central guidelines and best practices. Adapt your website and content creation strategies to align with these guidelines.
- Monitor your website performance: Regularly monitor your website’s traffic, search rankings, and user engagement metrics. Use this data to identify areas for improvement and adapt your strategies accordingly.
- Be patient and persistent: Building a successful website takes time and effort. Don’t expect immediate results and be persistent in your efforts to create high-quality content and improve your website.
- Seek professional help: If you need assistance, consider seeking help from experienced SEO professionals or content creators. They can provide valuable guidance and expertise to help your website thrive in the ever-evolving search landscape.
“Digital marketers, just like spiders, need to constantly weave and optimize their web to attract the most valuable prey – organic traffic. Staying up-to-date with the latest SEO tactics is crucial for a successful catch.”
– THE WAY OF THE SPIDER
- Cover comparable options: Discuss alternatives and make recommendations for specific uses or circumstances. This will help readers understand the full range of options available to them and choose the one that best fits their needs.
- Discuss benefits and drawbacks: Base your analysis on original research and personal experience. Be honest about both the positive and negative aspects of the product or service.
- Describe product evolution: Explain how a product has improved over time or addressed previous issues. This will help readers understand how the product has evolved and whether it’s worth investing in the latest version.
- Focus on key decision-making factors: Prioritize the most important factors based on your expertise. For example, in a car review, you might prioritize fuel economy and safety.
- Include useful resources: Provide links to additional resources (either your own or from other sites) to help readers make informed decisions. This could include links to product manuals, customer reviews, or other relevant resources.
In an industry where change is the only constant, businesses must adapt to the latest trends and algorithms to remain competitive. At Spigital, we not only keep up with the latest changes, but we take inspiration from nature itself. By studying the way spiders build their webs, we have developed innovative digital marketing strategies that can help businesses catch more than just the attention of their audience. With our bio-mimicry approach, we can optimize your website to catch the right traffic and generate more leads than ever before. Trust Spigital to help you navigate the ever-evolving world of digital marketing.
This is a useful post for finding broken links within the website, what about links pointing outwards that are broken? I can use a free web service but wondered if this was possible.
Great tool! I am using a redirect plugin to send all my 404’s to my home page but I think it’s slacking sometimes.