Google is taking significant steps to improve the quality of its search results with the release of the March 2024 core update and multiple spam updates. The March 2024 core update is expected to reduce unhelpful content in search results by 40%. This update is more complex than previous core updates and includes enhancements to various components of the overall core system. Google has also integrated its helpful content system into the core ranking system.
The March 2024 core update will be rolled out gradually over the coming weeks, with multiple systems being updated and released. Google has refined how it identifies webpages that are unhelpful or have a poor user experience, including those created specifically to match certain search queries. The goal is to prioritize helpful results and discourage content created solely for search engine optimization.
With the integration of the helpful content system into the core update, Google will no longer announce new helpful content updates separately. The classifier for the helpful content system has been incorporated into the March 2024 core update. It is hoped that sites impacted by the previous helpful content update in September 2023 will see improvements with this new update.
If rankings drop as a result of the core update, Google advises focusing on creating helpful and reliable content for users rather than solely optimizing for search engines. There are no specific actions to take for recovery, but improvements may be seen between core updates.
In addition to the core update, Google has introduced new spam updates. The scaled content abuse search spam update targets pages that produce low-quality content at scale to manipulate search rankings. Google will take action against such content through algorithmic spam systems and manual actions.
“Expired domain abuse,” which involves buying expired domains and repurposing them with low-quality content, is now considered spam. Google will also take action against this practice through algorithmic spam systems and manual actions.
Google’s new policy on site reputation abuse aims to address third-party sites hosting low-quality content for ranking purposes without close oversight. This practice, known as “Parasite SEO,” can mislead users and confuse them with content that does not meet their expectations. Google will take both automated and manual actions against site reputation abuse.
These updates come in response to complaints and studies about the declining quality of Google search results. Google aims to surface higher-quality content and improve the detection of helpful discussion and forum content. The company has been working on ranking improvements that prioritize first-hand perspectives across all types of sites.
Overall, these updates demonstrate Google’s commitment to improving search quality and providing users with more relevant and helpful results. By targeting unhelpful content, spam, and manipulative practices, Google is striving to enhance the search experience for all users.
