Google’s March 2024 Core and Spam Updates: What You Need to Know

The March 2024 Google core and spam updates have had a significant impact on the SEO landscape, leaving many campaigns struggling to adapt. As search marketers, it’s crucial to understand what Google is targeting and how to adjust our strategies to ensure long-term success.

Google’s primary goal with the March 2024 updates is to reduce unoriginal content in search results. This means that websites need to focus on creating content that adds unique value to users, rather than simply rehashing what’s already available.

To create original content, consider the following:

• Identify gaps in existing content and fill them with your unique take
• Conduct original research or surveys to generate new data
• Analyze data from a different angle to uncover fresh insights
• Present information in a new format, such as infographics or interactive tools

By putting in the effort to create truly original content, you’ll not only improve your website’s performance in search results but also establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry.

In addition to prioritizing original content, Google aims to keep the lowest quality content out of search results. While some collateral damage is inevitable, the search giant primarily targets the worst offenders. Websites with poor user experience, content created solely for search engines, and low-value content produced at scale are all at risk.

To avoid being penalized, focus on creating content that:

• Provides genuine value to users
• Is well-written, accurate, and informative
• Offers a good user experience with easy navigation and fast load times
• Is not stuffed with keywords or over-optimized for search engines

Remember, Google’s ultimate goal is to provide the best possible experience for its users. By aligning your content creation efforts with this goal, you’ll be better positioned to succeed in the long run.

Analyzing De-indexed Websites

Following the March 2024 updates, several websites were de-indexed. By analyzing these sites, we can identify common issues that may have contributed to their penalties.

One of the most prevalent issues among de-indexed websites was the use of AI-generated content. While AI can be a useful tool for content creation, relying too heavily on machine-generated text can result in low-quality, unoriginal content that fails to provide value to users.

If you choose to use AI in your content creation process, be sure to:

• Use AI as a starting point, not an endpoint
• Heavily edit and fact-check AI-generated text
• Incorporate original insights and perspectives
• Ensure the final product is well-written and genuinely useful to readers

Another common issue among penalized websites was the presence of aggressive ads and poor user experience. Websites that prioritize monetization over user experience, with intrusive ads and difficult navigation, are more likely to be targeted by Google’s updates.

To provide a better user experience:

• Use ads sparingly and ensure they don’t interfere with content consumption
• Optimize your website for fast load times
• Ensure easy navigation and a clean, intuitive layout
• Prioritize mobile responsiveness and accessibility

Websites with inaccurate or thin content were also hit hard by the updates. This includes content that is factually incorrect, lacks depth, or fails to comprehensively cover a topic.

To avoid this issue:

• Thoroughly research your topics and cite reputable sources
• Provide comprehensive coverage of your subject matter
• Ensure your content is accurate and up-to-date
• Avoid fluff or filler content that doesn’t add value

For websites covering Your Money or Your Life (YMYL) topics, such as health, finance, and legal advice, a lack of expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (E-A-T) was a major contributing factor to their penalties.

If your website covers YMYL topics, it’s essential to:

• Demonstrate the expertise of your content creators
• Establish your website’s authority through high-quality backlinks and mentions
• Build trust with users by being transparent and providing accurate, helpful information
• Regularly update your content to ensure it remains current and relevant

To succeed in the post-update landscape, focus on creating high-quality, original content that demonstrates E-A-T.

This involves:

• Showcase the expertise of your content creators through author bylines and bios
• Cite reputable sources and link to authoritative websites
• Provide in-depth, comprehensive coverage of your topics

• Build high-quality backlinks from respected websites in your industry
• Earn mentions and references from other authoritative sources
• Establish your website as a go-to resource in your niche

• Be transparent about your website’s purpose, authors, and content creation process
• Provide accurate, up-to-date, and unbiased information
• Maintain a clean, professional design and user experience

In addition to E-A-T, focus on providing a good user experience, citing sources, using data to support claims, and creating content with clear objectives and value for users. By consistently producing high-quality content that meets these criteria, you’ll be better equipped to weather future algorithm updates and maintain your search engine rankings.

Following the March 2024 updates, we’ve seen significant changes in search engine results pages (SERPs) across various types of keywords.

Keywords For informational intent keywords, high-quality content from legitimate sources is now ranking well. This includes in-depth articles, guides, and resources from established websites and industry experts.

To capitalize on this trend:

• Create comprehensive, well-researched content that thoroughly covers your topic
• Use a clear, logical structure with headings, subheadings, and bullet points
• Incorporate visuals, such as images, videos, and infographics, to enhance your content
• Optimize for featured snippets by providing concise, direct answers to common questions

For commercial intent keywords, particularly in e-commerce, ranking has become more challenging due to the presence of various SERP features, such as images, shopping results, and local packs.

To succeed in this environment, adopt a multi-faceted approach that includes:

• Optimizing for organic search with high-quality, keyword-rich product descriptions and category pages
• Investing in paid search advertising to secure a prominent position in shopping results
• Optimizing your product images and videos for visual search
• Ensuring your website is mobile-friendly and has fast load times

For localized intent keywords, established brands and authoritative websites are dominating the SERPs. This includes local business directories, review sites, and well-known industry leaders.

To improve your local search visibility:

• Claim and optimize your Google My Business listing
• Build local citations and backlinks from relevant directories and websites
• Encourage customer reviews and respond to them promptly
• Create localized content that targets your specific service areas and includes relevant keywords

By tailoring your SEO strategy to the specific intent behind your target keywords, you’ll be better positioned to rank well and attract qualified traffic to your website.

The key takeaways from the March 2024 Google core and spam updates are:

In the post-update landscape, quality content is more important than ever. Instead of churning out a high volume of mediocre content, focus on creating well-researched, original, and valuable pieces that demonstrate your expertise and provide genuine value to users.

To mitigate the risk of future algorithm updates, work on building a strong brand presence and diversifying your traffic sources. This involves investing in brand awareness campaigns, social media marketing, email marketing, and other channels to drive traffic and engagement beyond organic search.

To stay ahead of the curve, make a commitment to staying informed about SEO best practices and industry trends. Attend conferences, read industry blogs, and participate in online forums to stay up-to-date on the latest developments and strategies.

Additionally, invest in ongoing education and professional development for yourself and your team. This can include SEO courses, workshops, and certifications that help you hone your skills and adapt to the ever-changing search landscape.

If you’re facing complex SEO challenges or struggling to recover from a penalty, consider seeking professional help. An experienced SEO consultant or agency can provide valuable insights, strategies, and support to help you navigate the post-update landscape and achieve your goals.

When choosing an SEO partner, look for a provider with a proven track record of success, a commitment to ethical and sustainable practices, and a deep understanding of the latest Google updates and best practices.

The March 2024 Google core and spam updates have underscored the importance of creating high-quality, user-centric content that demonstrates expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. By focusing on E-A-T, providing unique value, and diversifying your traffic sources, you can weather the impact of these updates and emerge stronger.

To succeed in the post-update world, stay informed about best practices, invest in ongoing education, and prioritize quality over quantity in your content creation efforts. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help when faced with complex SEO challenges, and remain committed to providing the best possible experience for your website’s users.

By adapting to the changing search landscape and prioritizing user needs above all else, you can build a sustainable, successful online presence that stands the test of time. While the road ahead may be challenging, with the right strategies and mindset, your website can thrive in the face of any algorithm update.