Google March 2024 Core Update

Another Google Core Update has rolled out this month, and here are the most important things to know about it.

This update aims to:

improve search results
introduce new spam policies
reduce low-quality content

So, in essence, low-quality and unoriginal content in search results will be reduced, making room for valuable content made by people for people.

Reducing Low-quality Results

Google March 2024 Core Update aims to better understand if websites offer poor user experience or look like they were created for manipulating search engines instead of being created and optimised for people.

The goal is to detect and reduce poor content and send more traffic to useful, high-quality websites.

Google expects to reduce low-quality content in search results by 40%.

“Based on our evaluations, we expect that the combination of this update and our previous efforts will collectively reduce low-quality, unoriginal content in search results by 40%.”

Elizabeth Tucker. Director, Product Management, 2024.

Less Spam in Search Results

In addition to enhancing their search results, they are improving their spam policies to identify manipulative behaviours such as:

expired domain abuse
scaled content abuse
site reputation abuse.

This new update will keep low-quality content from ranking in high positions or appearing at all.

Expired Domain Abuse

This practice refers to purchasing an expired domain and repurposing it primarily to manipulate search rankings.

An example of this practice would be purchasing an expired domain that was previously used for educational objectives and using it to spread deceptive content, such as fake news articles or fake advertisements for products or services.

People who engage in such practices hope to be successful in search results based on the domain’s previous reputation.

However, there is nothing wrong with using an old domain name for a fresh and original website that offers valuable, relevant information.

More information created to help people.

“We’ll continue to work hard at keeping low-quality content on Search to low levels, and showing more information created to help people.”

Elizabeth Tucker. Director, Product Management, 2024.

Scaled Content Abuse

Such techniques refer to generating automated content with little or no value to manipulate search engines and gain visibility in search results.

The intent here is to address and eliminate large amounts of content that bring no value and are created only to boost search rankings, whether content is made by humans, AI, or both.

Spam policy update

“Our long-standing spam policy has been that use of automation, including generative AI, is spam if the primary purpose is manipulating ranking in Search results.”

Elizabeth Tucker. Director, Product Management, 2024.

Site Reputation Abuse

Such practices refer to reputable websites hosting third-party content specifically made to capitalise on the reputation and trust of the hosting website’s users.

This type of content will be considered spam if it is published only for ranking purposes, without penalising the hosting website.

Third-party content

“We’ll now consider very low-value, third-party content produced primarily for ranking purposes and without close oversight of a website owner to be spam.”

Elizabeth Tucker. Director, Product Management, 2024.

Conclusion

The rollout may take up to a month to complete. This means there are high chances of fluctuations in rankings compared to previous core updates.

This update shows Google’s commitment to improving search results and delivering the best and most relevant content to its users.

Our advice

High-quality content is not always easy to create. It involves various factors that make up its relevance, usefulness, and credibility.

We put together some tips to help you create the best content you can:

Understand Your Audience

Conduct detailed research to understand your target audience’s needs and preferences. After this, build genuine content that solves their problems and offers valuable information.

Personal Experience

Your audience will always be looking for personal, expertise-based opinions and advice. Real-world information will always benefit your audience.

Follow Search Engine Guidelines

Following search engine guidelines is important for maintaining and proving your authenticity and relevance while also avoiding penalties

Write in a Simple and Clear Manner

Simple writing improves engagement, credibility and accessibility. This helps your audience better understand your message without the burden of deciphering your words on top of the information.