Let’s have an overview of the Google Core Update 2024:

• Google has decided to roll out updates to improve search results and cut down spammy content.
• If we talk about the Google Search Engine 2024 goal, it is evidently about removing low-quality and duplicate content by almost 40%.
• This time anti-spam policies will be working against some spammy behaviors like third-party site reputation abuse, abused scaled content, and expired domain abuse.

What Google Core Updates are and how do they impact search results?

Google makes significant changes in its ranking system that occur once every two or three months and it affects the ranking of many indexed pages on Google. Such core updates are to enhance the quality and relevance of content on the Google search engine. 

Each Google core update makes changes in the algorithms and formula with which Google ranks websites. Sometimes it happens that pages that are indexed high get hit and start ranking low. Meanwhile, some pages that are indexed low are fortunately starting to get the top positions.

Importance of Google Core Updates for SEO Professionals

Google Core updates always keep SEO Professionals on their toes. The underlying concept of SEO is to adjust your website to rank it better on Google but when updates occur, it wipes out the efforts and resources that you have put into the SEO of the website. 

To keep the website safe in the rolling out of updates, SEO professionals need to be vigilant because Google first informs through its multiple channels.

Google Search Engine 2024 Goals with Core Updates

Improvement in Quality Ranking

Google has always been working on improving the ranking system and this update is more focused on it. Since Google aims to eliminate low-quality content and promise users more quality content. 

Google is hitting on the path to provide better user experience, navigational structure, and helpful content. 

We’re making algorithmic enhancements to our core ranking systems to ensure we surface the most helpful information on the web and reduce unoriginal content in search results,” stated Elizabeth Tucker, Director of Product for Search at Google.

We believe these updates will reduce the amount of low-quality content on Search and send more traffic to helpful and high-quality sites. Based on our evaluations, we expect that the combination of this update and our previous efforts will collectively reduce low-quality, unoriginal content in search results by 40%.

Google mentions in its blog.

Updates in Spam Policies of Google

With the changes in the ranking systems, Google has also made some changes in its spam policies. There are three updates in the spam policies specifically targeting site reputation abuse, expired domain abuse, and scaled content abuse. Let’s have an overview of all these spam policy updates:

Scaled Content Abuse

Google is not against using AI to create content but it is strictly against the methods to produce content just to play with the ranking system. Hence, Google is going to put limits against content abuse. 

Today, scaled content creation methods are more sophisticated, and whether the content is created purely through automation isn’t always as clear. To better address these techniques, we’re strengthening our policy to focus on this abusive behavior — producing content at scale to boost search ranking — whether automation, humans, or a combination are involved. This will allow us to take action on more types of content with little to no value created at scale, like pages that pretend to have answers to popular searches but fail to deliver helpful content.

For which Google States in its official blog post on 5th March,2024.

Site Reputation Abuse

Google has put strict checks on the websites that create third-party content because such websites put a question mark on the authority of reputable websites. The main purpose of such websites is to rank by manipulating the content of other websites. 

Now if a website creates third-party content just for ranking, Google will consider it spam. 

We’ll now consider very low-value, third-party content produced primarily for ranking purposes and without close oversight of a website owner to be spam. We’re publishing this policy two months in advance of enforcement on May 5, to give site owners time to make any needed changes.

This is what Google says about it:

Expired Domain Abuse

Now Google Core update will target the expired domains. Most of the websites are built after purchasing old and expired domains just to show new and low-quality content that is more authentic and authoritative. 

Occasionally, expired domains are purchased and repurposed with the primary intention of boosting search ranking of low-quality or unoriginal content. This can mislead users into thinking the new content is part of the older site, which may not be the case. Expired domains that are purchased and repurposed with the intention of boosting the search ranking of low-quality content are now considered spam.

Here is what Google states about expired domain abuse

Google’s Core Update Impact on Content Creators

Google’s point of view related to the content has always been the same. Google always encourages real, authentic, and helpful content that adds value. Therefore the content that is produced solely to manipulate search engine ranking systems is not encouraged. 

If you are creating authentic and helpful content then you don’t have to worry about any kind of updates and penalties.

To make sure that you stay safe during Google updates roll-outs – here are two ways:

1. Write this in the Google search bar and replace website.com with your domain name “site:website.com”
2. There is another way to find the penalties which is through your Google Search Console.

You can find this in the left sidebar and select the option Checking Security & Manual Action.

Timeline of Google’s March Updates

The core update is starting to roll out now and Google has given the timeline of two months to all the websites indexed on Google. The final effects can be seen at the start of May. This time is given to website publishers and content creators to work on their websites to stay safe during this March 2024 rollout.

You never know what life holds for you. As Mrs. Gump in the Movie “Forrest Gump” says, “Life’s a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

Similarly, this time life has embarked me with an amazing opportunity and I have started my journey as a Business Development Manager at Performance Plus Digital.

With every opportunity, there come new challenges and experiences. I am delighted that I have become part of this amazing team with a broader vision at Performance Plus Digital. We are not just another digital marketing agency but we strive for a bigger picture of this IT landscape. At Performance Plus Digital, we work passionately to help businesses in unlocking their true potential.

Whether it is about crafting compelling marketing campaigns, optimizing online presence or driving ROI through strategic initiatives, we are ready to make it happen. Besides all this, our success is measured by what we make our clients achieve and I claim Performance Plus Digital is best in that. 

I wrote this to invite you to join us on this amazing journey of learning, growth, and collaboration. Let’s connect, share insights, and explore new possibilities while working on mutual concerns. Whether you’re a business owner or a fellow industry professional, this is for everybody who wants to learn new dimensions of the digital world and create an impact. 

Here’s to new beginnings, meaningful connections, and endless possibilities. Together, let’s write the next chapter of digital success!