Understanding the March 2024 Google Spam Algorithm Update

In this article, we review why sites were affected and what this could mean for your website.

Firstly, What is the March 2024 Spam Update?

The March 2024 spam update, completed on the 20th of March, is Google’s latest effort to refine its search results by targeting and mitigating spammy content and those who produce it. Leveraging improvements to SpamBrain, Google’s AI-based system, the update aims to enhance the detection of spammy content and practices that are designed with the sole intention of ranking in Google.

Key Features of the Update

Google has implemented a number of improvements encompassing the following:

• New Spam Policies: Google introduced three critical spam policies: scaled content abuse, expired domain abuse, and site reputation abuse, with immediate effect for the first two and a planned implementation for the last in May.
• SpamBrain Enhancements: Ongoing improvements to Google’s spam detection AI promise a more effective crackdown on new and evolving types of spam.
• Manual Actions vs. Algorithmic Updates: The update draws a clear distinction between manual actions, which are specific penalties levied against sites violating Google’s policies, and broader algorithmic updates impacting search rankings.

These updates have been implemented with the purpose of reducing the amount of low quality content ranking in search results.

A crackdown on scaled AI content: Finally

For every new tool that is made with good intentions (ChatGPT and the like), there is always going to be a section of marketers that use and abuse it. Since the availability of Chat GPT and other AI content writing tools, spammers have created sites with hundreds of thousands of pages all written by unedited AI content. This latest algorithm update appears to have put a stop to sites built purely to gain the system and benefit from ad revenue for a short space of time. The manual actions taken against these sites demonstrate Google’s commitment to combating the rise of AI-driven spam and low-quality content.

Were you using solely AI content?

The update signifies a shift towards more stringent content quality requirements. Business may experience fluctuations in search rankings as Google’s enhanced algorithms recalibrate to prioritise authentic, high-quality content.

This change really emphasise what has been true in SEO for 20 years – focussing on shiny new objects always brings short term gain but long term pain. This algorithm is reminiscent of the original Penguin update that saw thousands of website that were abusing links disappear from search overnight.

So what should users be doing and not doing?

Don’ts:

• Don’t scale your content using unedited AI. Whilst using AI tools is fine, human editing is a must. Google expects to see unique insights from a subject matter – an AI chatbot simply cannot replicate this. Remember: if the content topic is so easy and a bot can assemble an article on the subject matter – it’s probably not worth writing about.
• Don’t write content just for SEO purposes. Focussing solely on writing content for no other purpose other than SEO is a dying strategy. Make sure your content offers true value beyond feeding Search Engines what they need.
• Don’t solely rely on search engines. This is a piece of advice that has always been true – never rely on one source of traffic as this leaves your business vulnerable to disappearing overnight!

Do:

• Focus on demonstrating EEAT: Write content with real expertise and insights and attribute this content to the experts within your business. You can read more about E.E.A.T here.
• Review Google’s Updated Spam Policies – Familiarise yourself with the new spam policies to ensure your site’s compliance and safeguard against potential penalties.
• Audit Your Content: Evaluate your site’s existing content for quality, relevance, and compliance with Google’s guidelines. Remove or revise content that could be construed as spammy or low-value.
• Focus on User Experience: Enhance site navigation, load times, and overall usability to meet Google’s emphasis on a positive user experience.
• Monitor Your Site’s Performance: Use tools like Google Search Console to track your site’s performance and identify any issues related to the spam update.

Has your website been affected by the recent Google Algorithm update? Or are you prepared for the next algo update? Get in touch with Sixtwo to discuss with our team.