Google March 2024 spam update

Types of websites affected:

The March 2024 core update and spam policies primarily impacted websites that:

• Violate Google’s spam policies, including practices like scaled content abuse, expired domain abuse, and site reputation abuse.
• Produce low-quality, unoriginal content that primarily aims to manipulate search rankings rather than provide value to users.
• Rely on third-party content that lacks proper oversight or is intended to capitalize on a site’s existing reputation.

What to Expect:

Websites affected by these updates may experience:

• Significant fluctuations in search engine rankings due to the comprehensive nature of the March 2024 core update, which targeted low-quality, unoriginal content and spammy practices.
• Potential penalties or demotions for sites engaging in spammy behaviors, especially those identified under the new spam policies.
• A gradual recovery for compliant sites as Google’s systems continue to refresh and refine their understanding of quality content.

What to Address / How to Approach:

To adapt to these updates, website owners should:

• Focus on creating high-quality, original content that prioritizes user experience and adheres to Google’s updated spam policies.
• Regularly audit third-party content and avoid practices that might be considered site reputation abuse or scaled content abuse.
• Monitor their site’s performance and wait for the core update to fully roll out before making any drastic changes, while continuously improving content where needed.

Interesting Fact 💡: 

The March 2024 core update resulted in a 45% reduction in low-quality, unoriginal content in search results, surpassing Google’s initial goal of a 40% reduction, marking a significant shift towards higher-quality search outcomes.