Google's March 2024 Core Update is a seismic shift in the SEO industry. This major update has the potential to sweep the web in the same way as the Panda and Penguin updates.
The implications are immense and far-reaching, and all the experienced marketers I spoke to agree that this update is a big deal. Was your he website affected by his March 2024 core update?
Here are five things you need to know to avoid penalties and maintain good standing in search results.
1. Google is completely de-indexing websites
Imagine waking up in the morning to find that your website has disappeared from Google's search results. That's exactly what happened to many websites after the March 2024 update was rolled out.
In its March 5 announcement, Google emphasized its goal to reduce useless, irrelevant, and unoriginal content from its search results.
This cleanup promises to remove up to 40% of low-quality websites (pages created solely to match a specific search query) that provide useless information or a poor user experience. Masu.
Websites that violate Google's guidelines or use questionable SEO strategies will not only be penalized, but also permanently removed from both search results and the index.
In the days since this announcement, the world of SEO has changed forever.
Here's Jeff Coyle's tweet:
Please note that permanently de-indexing a website is usually associated with manual actions by Google and is often not applicable to Google core updates.
2. Penalties are swift.
What's notable about this update is that the penalties are harsh and swift, leaving site owners scrambling for answers.
Let's take a look at 10 websites that have been deindexed.
To see if your site was affected by a Google update, search for your website on Google by typing “site:website.com” and see if it appears in the search results. Masu.
Note that, as Barry Schwartz pointed out, sites affected by the March 2024 core update or spam update “will not be able to receive ranking drop notifications through the manual action viewer in Google Search Console.” is important.
“Algorithm updates are automated, and Google does not notify site owners if their site is negatively (or positively) affected by an algorithm update,” Schwartz wrote.
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3. Websites that survived previous updates are also unaffected
Old websites aren't intact either. People who were not affected by previous algorithm updates are now facing consequences.
Some are cheering, saying it's time for low-quality sites that have been gaming the system and staying in the SERPs to benefit for years.
This is an example of a “link building agency” being kicked out.
But some people are scratching their heads wondering why the entire network disappeared.
In a discussion within the private Affiliate SEO Mastermind group, one of our members shared the unfortunate experience of a publisher whose entire network collapsed.
According to the post, all eight of the affected publishers' sites were launched within the past two years and covered a variety of niche topics. The authors emphasized that the content was primarily written by humans, with minimal AI assistance.
All eight websites are currently receiving zero traffic impressions.
EEAT may have played an important factor here.
The wide range of topics covered by these sites indicates a lack of deep topical knowledge, or experience and expertise, which Google prioritizes when ranking websites.
4. Sites that are old and full of errors are vulnerable.
Speaking of EEAT, look at how Google added another factor when deciding that content is untrustworthy and has the lowest EEAT.
The content is generated by AI and may not be outdated or error-free.
These are surefire ways to lose rank.
5. Smaller AI content sites are also affected
An interesting development is how smaller AI content sites are coming under scrutiny. Google's ability to detect AI-generated content has become more sophisticated, resulting in penalties for even smaller players in the space.
Craig Griffiths believes that the biggest metric for an AI website is the frequency with which content is published.
But that's not the case here.
Digging deeper into this conversation reveals more specific signals that Google may be looking for.
Let's be clear: Google is not pursuing AI content. What Google wants to purge from its search results is useless, repetitive, and unoriginal content, whether written by humans, AI, or both.
The latest updates aim to surface good websites with valuable content while removing bad websites that are of no use to people.
This is a wake-up call to website owners who thought their heritage would keep them safe. Adaptation has once again proven to be the key to surviving in the digital world.
If you're managing an older, smaller domain like this one, there's no need to panic just yet. Start by conducting a comprehensive site audit and resolve these issues immediately.
Lesson: Quality over quantity
Google has always focused on originality, depth, and value for our readers. Websites that were removed and deindexed often relied heavily on thin or duplicate content without providing unique insight or perspective.
Improving EEAT is essential to tackling this issue head-on. The EEAT Principles show Google, and more importantly, your readers, that you are an authority worth listening to. This includes citing reliable sources within your field and clearly highlighting the author's expertise on your site.
User experience also plays a central role in the latest algorithm changes. Your site should look good and be easy and intuitive for your visitors. Websites that focus solely on keyword optimization rather than comprehensive UX design principles will be penalized.
By paying attention to page speed, mobile friendliness, and a clear call to action, you can keep users engaged for longer and send positive signals to your SEO food chain.
Remember, by making these adjustments, you're not just playing nice with search engines. You'll be building a better online space for all of your visitors.
Adapt or lag behind
The sheer number of deindexed websites reported by the search marketing community supports Google's plans to implement major reforms to its ranking system.
It is wise to study the patterns of websites affected by algorithmic events to find common trends so that you can uncover weaknesses within your website itself and readjust your strategy.
- Focus on content quality.
- Improve user experience.
- Start auditing your site and make changes.
The road ahead may seem difficult, but remember that every step you take toward improvement is one step away from Google Hell.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily those of Search Engine Land. Staff authors are listed here.