Google Spam Update March 2024
Google’s March 2024 update is shaping up to be one of the most significant updates in recent years.
In 2022, Google began rolling out spam updates, but it’s only now that we’re seeing substantial changes.
This is an update we’ve been waiting for nearly a decade. Spam on the web, aimed at manipulating search results, is far from a new phenomenon. In fact, spam websites have proliferated dramatically in recent years.
What is a Spam Site?
A spam site is a website designed to manipulate search engine rankings. Historically, the content on these sites was created using “spin” software, which generated texts that might appear like real articles at first glance but made no sense upon closer reading.
More recent versions of these tools now use AI-generated content.
Purpose of Google’s March Update
The primary goal of this update is:
- To reduce low-quality and unoriginal content.
This is certainly a positive step, but it raises questions about how small, non-commercial blogs, such as those run by individuals like “Mrs. Jensen,” might be affected. Could her blog be penalized simply because Google determines her content isn’t useful to a broader audience?
Fortunately, Google can distinguish between spam content created to manipulate search engines and small, authentic blogs like Mrs. Jensen’s. However, how Google evaluates the relevance of such content remains uncertain—especially for blogs with a small audience due to limited SEO resources or expertise.
Key Focus Areas of the Update
- Improved rankings based on high-quality content.
- Updated spam policies.
Websites most affected by this update fall into the following categories:
- Scaled Content Abuse
- Site Reputation Abuse
- Expired Domain Abuse
1. Scaled Content Abuse
This refers to articles generated by spinning software, AI, or even purchased content used to fill websites with thin and irrelevant material. These articles often fail to provide the quality information users are searching for.
Let’s face it—there’s a lot of junk online. We’ve all experienced the frustration of irrelevant search results cluttering Google. For years, it seemed like Google’s older algorithms performed better than their AI-based search engine. Perhaps this is because there were fewer spam sites back then.
2. Site Reputation Abuse
This occurs when otherwise credible websites allow external contributors to publish irrelevant or low-quality content. While this might sound concerning, Google has clarified that forums, news sites, and blog comments won’t be penalized.
3. Expired Domain Abuse
This involves the exploitation of expired domains with strong rankings. Domain traders often acquire these high-ranking sites when payments are missed, or businesses shut down. These domains are then repurposed for spam, creating a massive multi-billion-dollar industry.
Thankfully, this update targets such practices, leveling the playing field for ethical SEO agencies.
Ethical SEO Practices Win in the Long Run
For 15 years, we’ve consciously chosen not to engage in unethical SEO tactics, believing Google would eventually crack down on such strategies. While it’s taken longer than expected, this update finally addresses some of these issues.
Predicting Google’s future updates is straightforward when you operate ethically. The challenge has always been predicting when these changes would happen.
Why You Need Google Search Console
It’s critical to use Google Search Console to monitor how Google evaluates your website. It provides alerts for errors and notifications if your site is affected by updates.
The Scale of Spam
Did you know Google detected 40 billion spam pages every single day in 2020?
While Google boasts about this accomplishment, spam still clutters search results. Whether this is due to the sheer volume of spam or limitations in Google’s AI, it’s clear there’s room for improvement.
Hope for Better Search Results
There’s renewed hope that this update will significantly improve Google’s search results. Reducing spam and improving AI capabilities will benefit everyone.
For businesses, this update serves as a wake-up call:
- Ethical SEO practices are non-negotiable.
- Engaging in spammy tactics increases the risk of losing visibility in Google’s search rankings.
If you manage your website properly and focus on quality, you won’t be penalized. However, using the spammy techniques outlined above could push your site to the bottom of Google’s results—or even out of them entirely.
This update is a long-overdue step in the right direction. By prioritizing quality and ethics, Google is setting the stage for a better online experience for users and businesses alike.
0 Comments