An Overview of the Google March 2024 Core and Spam Updates: A Week into the Changes
Google search rankings have been experiencing some significant volatility over the past week due to the Google March 2024 core and spam updates. These updates have resulted in algorithmic changes as well as manual actions taken by Google regarding spam policy violations. However, it’s important to note that these updates are ongoing and will continue to roll out over the next few weeks.
To give a timeline of the changes observed thus far, on March 5th, Google officially announced the updates. The following days saw an influx of manual actions being issued by Google, leading to some websites being delisted from Google Search. On March 8th and 9th, signs of the core and spam updates impacting site rankings algorithmically began to appear. By March 10th and 11th, some sites that were affected by both the algorithmic changes and manual actions experienced temporary reversals.
The overlapping updates and various changes happening in Google Search can be confusing for SEOs and site owners. With a core update, spam update, manual actions, and the Core Web Vitals change taking place simultaneously, it’s challenging to determine which factors are affecting search results. Interestingly, Google has previously stated that they try to minimize overlapping updates to assist creators in understanding the changes. However, in this case, both the core update and spam update were ready to roll out, with the aim of improving search result quality.
Examples of these changes have been documented, showcasing fluctuations in site rankings. Reversals have been observed for sites impacted by manual actions for pure spam violations as well as those affected by the March core update algorithmically. These fluctuations can create stress for SEOs and site owners, making it advisable to wait for the updates to complete before making any major adjustments.
In the meantime, it is recommended to follow Google’s advice and focus on improving the quality of your site’s content and user experience. These are always valuable areas to prioritize. As the updates continue to roll out, Search Engine Land will provide updates on the status of the Google search algorithm updates.
Overall, while the Google March 2024 core and spam updates have caused significant fluctuations in search rankings, it is essential to remain patient and focus on improving your site’s quality. The changes are ongoing, and as Google continues to fine-tune its algorithms, it’s important to stay informed and adapt accordingly.
