You wake up in the morning and something has changed. This is the world we are living in for a few decades. The speed is unmatchable, and to rank your website high, you must adhere to Google’s policies. To stay ahead of Google’s algorithm, you must know the latest updates to it.
On that topic, the March 2024 Google Search Update has caused waves in the SEO community. In this article, we will talk about the Latest Google Search Algorithm Update.
If you want to stay ahead of the times, read on for more.
Highlights of March 2024 Google Search Update:
This update by Google aims to penalize or remove any websites with:
- Scaled Content Abuse: Google will target the removal of spam content, and we all know that most spam content is possible with AI-generated content.
- Expired Domain Abuse: Trying to discourage people from repurposing expired domains for SEO purposes.
- Site Reputation Abuse: The goal is to prevent trustworthy websites from manipulating search engines by having a piece of their site distribute Parasite SEO content. An example of this is the Sports Illustrated Parasite SEO example.
March 2024 Google Search Updates
Google continuously refines its search algorithms to prioritize high-quality content that delivers genuine value to users. Here are the few latest impacts to hit major websites:
1- Cleaning Up Useless Content
The March 2024 update represents a significant shift, focusing on identifying and demoting content deemed “unhelpful,” with a particular emphasis on:
- Content created primarily to attract clicks, not users: This includes clickbait headlines, excessive keyword stuffing, and thin content lacking depth or substance.
- Poor user experience: Websites with intrusive ads, slow loading times, and confusing navigation will be penalized.
- Content focused on search engines, not people: Sites churning out content solely to match specific search queries, with little regard for user intent, will see a decline in rankings.
2- Deindexing Websites
Imagine you thought your website would rank any day, but you wake up to find that your website is gone from Google’s search results. This is what many people have faced after the recent update of March. Google is now emphasizing reducing any kind of unhelpful or irrelevant content.
Yes, they are focusing on it from 2022, but this time, they have sped up the whole process. This clean spree has promised to remove up to 40% of low-quality content or websites. So, if your website only answers specific questions, it may be in danger.
Moreover, websites that do not adhere to Google policies or use unethical SEO techniques will not be penalized but removed from the Google index and search results.
3- Keeping More Spam Out of Search Results
Google has been working to keep spam out of the search results for decades. They have set policies and integrated a spam-fighting system to prevent low-quality content from reaching an audience, and they are continuing to do so.
With several recently announced updates, Google is advancing its spam policies. They aim to fight new and evolving tactics that lead to low-quality, unoriginal content appearing in search results. These updates will enable them to take stricter action against manipulative behaviors, improving the overall quality of search results.
While existing ranking systems already prevent much low-quality content from achieving high rankings, the updated policies allow for more targeted action.
4- Site Reputation Abuse
Websites with high-quality material may occasionally host low-quality content given by third parties to capitalize on the hosting site’s solid reputation. For example, a third party may write payday loan evaluations on a reputable educational website to benefit from the site’s rankings. Such information that ranks high in search results can confuse or mislead visitors with dramatically different expectations of the content on a specific page.
Google now considers very low-value, third-party content created purely for ranking purposes and without the direct supervision of a website owner to be spam. They are publishing this policy two months before it goes into effect on May 5, giving site owners time to make any necessary changes.
5- Targeting AI-Generated Spam
According to Originality.ai’s research, the major websites affected by the update are those with AI-generated content.
The study discovered that 100% of the affected sites showed AI-generated material, with 50% having 90-100% of their posts generated by AI.
The manual actions taken against these websites show Google’s determination to resist the development of AI-driven spam and low-quality content. As you move forward, you must exclude AI content from your SEO Strategies Post Google Update.
6- Expired Domain Abuse
Expired domains purchased and repurposed to boost the search ranking of low-quality content are now considered spam. So, if a website is misleading people, it is also considered spam by Google.
How to Fight the Latest March 2024 Algorithm Change
While navigating algorithm updates can be frightening, do not worry! We can offer some of the best content optimization tips in March 2024. But right now, start with one of the best content strategies to help you thrive in the post-March 2024 Google Search Update world.
“Focus on Optimizing For People”
Some of the SEO and content writing experts in the industry have already analyzed the situation, and they are recommending that people write and optimize for people. You must put all of your focus on the website visitors, people who are looking for the answers or mainly for relevant services. It’s the approach that you may also consider a user experience SEO. User Experience SEO anticipates how content will impact the user’s experience and pleasure.
The recent US government anti-trust lawsuit against Google demonstrated that the Navboost signal, which monitors user interaction signals, is a key ranking component. Google responds to user interaction signals, and one of the most effective ways to generate user interaction signals (as outlined in the Navboost Patent) is to design webpages that encourage positive reactions.
Bottom Line
In the end, focus on your people and stay current with Google Search Trends 2024 and beyond. Understand your user’s behavior at every phase, make a detailed persona of your audience, and make content accordingly. Maybe you will need highly paid Copywriting specialists, but it will be worth the chance when your audience is fully engaged.
If you are struggling with the latest updates and don’t know where to start the fix, let the DHS help you as your SEO and Content Marketing Agency. Reach out and get in touch with the team of amazing content writing experts to bring your brand to success.