Understanding the Impact of the March 2024 Google Core Update

Introduction: In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing and search engine optimisation (SEO), staying abreast of Google’s algorithm updates is paramount. The March 2024 Google Core Update has brought significant changes, particularly in the realm of spam detection and penalisation. This article aims to dissect the implications of this update and provide insights for website owners and SEO professionals.

The March 2024 Google Core Update: Google routinely releases core updates to refine its search algorithms and enhance user experience. The March 2024 update focused heavily on combating spammy tactics employed by websites to manipulate search rankings. Google’s primary objective is to ensure that users receive high-quality, relevant content when conducting searches. Jason at Smarter Wiser – “Maybe they will call this the core update for “Quality” or “Anti-Spam” core update?” We are all still waiting on more ranking updates as the core update continues to be rolled-out by Google throughout March 2024 and then it’s all eyes on the next forecasted update in May 2024. Google’s extensive recent Core Update addresses the low-quality content and introduces new policies on spam to combat manipulative practices such as automated excessive blogging or low quality A.I generated content.

Google Highlights of the March 2024 Core Update…or should it be Lowlights?

Google March 2024 Core Update: Reducing “Unhelpful” Content By 40%

Google March 2024 Update: 4 Changes To Link Signal

Google March 2024 Update: 6 Insights On Manual Actions

Google’s March 2024 Core Update deindexes hundreds of websites

The Google Updates History

• Florida
• Big Daddy
• Jagger
• Vince
• Caffeine
• Panda
• Freshness Algorithm
• Page Layout Algorithm
• Venice Update

• Penguin
• EMD (Exact Match Domain)
• Payday
• Hummingbird
• Pigeon
• Mobilegeddon
• Quality Updates
• RankBrain
• Fred

Key Focus Areas of the Recent Update:

1. Content Quality: The update places a premium on content quality, rewarding websites that offer valuable, insightful information to users. Thin, duplicated, or low-value content is likely to be penalized.
2. User Experience (UX): Websites that prioritize user experience, including fast loading times, mobile responsiveness, and intuitive navigation, are favored in search rankings.
3. E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness): Google continues to emphasize E-A-T signals when evaluating website credibility. Content from authoritative sources with demonstrated expertise in their respective fields is prioritized.
4. Spam Detection: Google has ramped up its efforts to identify and penalize spammy practices such as keyword stuffing, cloaking, and link schemes. Websites engaging in these tactics risk significant drops in search visibility.

Implications for Website Owners and SEO Professionals:

1. Focus on Quality Content: Invest in creating high-quality, original content that addresses the needs and interests of your target audience. Conduct thorough research, cite credible sources, and provide unique insights to establish authority in your niche.
2. Optimise User Experience: Prioritise user-centric design and functionality to enhance UX. Ensure your website loads quickly, is mobile-friendly, and offers intuitive navigation to improve engagement and retention.
3. Build Authoritative Backlinks: Earn backlinks from reputable websites within your industry to bolster your site’s authority and credibility. Avoid artificial link-building tactics that could trigger Google’s spam filters.
4. Stay Abreast of Guidelines: Familiarise yourself with Google’s Webmaster Guidelines, now called (Google’s Search Esssentials) and adhere to best practices for SEO. Regularly audit your website for compliance and address any issues promptly to mitigate the risk of any penalties.
5. Monitor Performance: Continuously monitor your website’s performance in search results using tools like Google Search Console. Track changes in rankings, traffic, and click-through rates to gauge the impact of algorithm updates and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Google Guidelines & White Hat SEO Techniques

The March 2024 Google Core Update underscores the search engine’s commitment to delivering high-quality, relevant content to users while cracking down on spammy tactics. Website owners and SEO professionals such as ourselves at Smarter Wiser must adapt our strategies accordingly, focusing on content quality, user experience, and adherence to Google’s guidelines. But then again, we always have, white hat SEO techniques and working closely to Googles Guidelines will certainly have professional SEO experts not needing to worry. Explaining to customers and clients the importance of quality over content and a highly optimised website that does not spam will win the day. By staying informed and proactive, businesses can maintain or improve their search visibility in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

“I have NEVER seen such a dramatical impact on SERPS in the digital search history of Google” – Jason Smith 16th March 2024

SEO specialist Jason Smith of Smarter Wiser commented on the recent Google Update (March 2024) stating “I’ve never seen such a dramatical impact on search results (SERPS) and the fall-out, the social response to the update on X (Twitter), Instagram and LinkedIn has been dramatical to say the least. This core update will be historical in the history of Google updates, Hummingbird, Penguin, Panda and all the other Google updates looked like minor algorithmic changes compared to this current one. Where this all ends will be very interesting but it also guarantees a much better search experience for all Google users and raises the standards and heightens the SEO bar to the content being created and posted by SEO companies and specialists alike.”

If your website has been affected by the recent Google Core Update or previous updates then please feel free to contact us to provide advice and offer our SEO services to get you back on track.