Google’s March 2024 Core Update is bringing a seismic shift to the world of SEO.
This is a MAJOR update that will sweep the Internet the same way the Panda and Penguin updates did. Its impact is enormous and widespread, and every seasoned marketer I’ve talked to agrees that this update is a big deal.
Has your website been hit by the March 2024 core update?
To check if your site was impacted by the Google update, use these methods:
- Search for your website on Google using “site:website.com” to check its presence in the search results.
- Check Google Search Console for any ranking losses or spam alerts under “Checking Security & Manual Actions” in the left sidebar. if your entire website is affected by the manual penalty, you will face an error like this:
Here are five things you need to know to avoid getting penalized and maintain your good standing in search results.
1. Google is Not Just Penalizing Websites But Deindexing Them
Imagine waking up to find your website gone from Google’s search results. That’s exactly what happened to many websites after the March 2024 update rolled out.
In its March 5 announcement, Google emphasized its goal of reducing unhelpful, irrelevant, unoriginal content from search results.
This cleanup drive promises to remove up to 40% of low-quality websites that provide nothing but useless information and poor user experience — pages that were created just to match specific search queries.
Websites found violating Google’s guidelines or employing questionable SEO tactics will not only be penalized but completely removed both from the search results and the index.
In the days following the announcement, the SEO world turned upside down.
2. Penalties Are Swift But Communication is Inconsistent
What’s notable about this update is that the penalties were hard and fast, with webmasters scrambling for answers.
The inconsistency in communication from Google about these manual actions adds another layer of challenge.
Some webmasters find out through email:
While others stumble upon notifications only when they check their Google Search Console:
Navigating the aftermath of such a major update becomes even more challenging due to this inconsistency in how the information is relayed.
3. Websites That Survived Previous Updates Are Not Immune
Older websites aren’t spared either. Those untouched by previous updates or manual actions now find themselves facing repercussions too.
Some folks are cheering, saying it’s about time those low-quality sites got the boot after years of gaming the system and staying in SERPs.
This is one example of a “link-building agency” that got kicked out:
But others are left scratching their heads, wondering why their entire network has vanished.
In a discussion within the private Affiliate SEO Mastermind group, a member shared the unfortunate experience of a publisher whose entire network has crumbled.
According to the post, the publisher’s eight affected sites, all established within the last two years, covered various niche topics. The author emphasized that the content was primarily human-written with minimal assistance from AI.
All eight websites are now displaying zero traffic impressions.
This is where E-E-A-T might have played a crucial factor.
The broad range of topics covered by these sites indicates a lack of deep topical knowledge — experience and expertise — which Google prioritizes when ranking websites.
4. Outdated, Error-Filled Sites Are Vulnerable
Speaking of E-E-A-T, look at how Google has now added two more factors when considering content to be untrustworthy and with the lowest E-E-A-T:
- Content is generated by AI
- Content is not error-free and up-to-date
These are surefire ways to get de-ranked!
5. Even Small AI Content Sites Are Unscathed
An interesting development is how small AI content sites have come under scrutiny. Google’s ability to detect AI-generated content has become more refined, resulting in penalties even for smaller players in this field.
Craig Griffiths thinks the biggest indicator of an AI website is the frequency it publishes content.
But that is not the case here:
Digging further into this conversation reveals more specific signals that Google might be looking for:
Let’s get one thing straight – Google is not going after AI content. What Google wants to clean up from its search results is useless, repetitive, unoriginal content, whether it’s written by humans or AI or both.
The update aims to remove bad websites that do nothing for people while bringing good websites with valuable content to the surface.
For website owners who thought their legacy would keep them safe, this is a wake-up call. It proves once again that in the digital world, adaptation is key to survival.
If you’re managing one of these older, smaller domains, don’t panic yet. Start by conducting a comprehensive site audit and fix these issues immediately.
Utilizing tools like an AI detection remover designed to detect and remove AI-generated content can accelerate this process, ensuring your site aligns with the criteria for valuable and authentic content.
Takeaway: Quality Trumps Quantity
Google’s emphasis has always been on originality, depth, and value to the reader. Websites that were removed and deindexed often relied heavily on thin or duplicated content without providing unique insights or perspectives.
To combat this issue head-on, improving E-E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) becomes essential. E-E-A-T principles show Google — and more importantly, your readers — that you’re an authority worth listening to. This includes citing reputable sources within your niche and showcasing author expertise clearly on your site.
Meeting all these criteria is unattainable when utilizing a broad AI tool such as ChatGPT. However, employing a specialized SEO AI writer like Content at Scale’s Rankwell suite, which is tailored to mimic human writing, provides an excellent foundation for crafting authentic, comprehensive blog posts that reflect expertise, authority, and trustworthiness (E-A-T).
User experience also takes center stage with the latest algorithm changes. Your site should not only look good but also be easy and intuitive for visitors to navigate. Websites that focus solely on keyword optimization instead of holistic UX design principles will be penalized.
Paying attention to page speed, mobile-friendliness, and clear call-to-actions will help keep users engaged longer, which sends positive signals back up the SEO food chain. Remember, by making these adjustments, you’re not just playing nice with search engines; you’re building a better online space for everyone who visits.
Adapt or Fall Behind
The sheer number of manual actions reported by the search marketing community confirms Google’s plan to implement a major shakeup in their ranking systems.
It is prudent to study the patterns of websites getting manual actions to spot common trends so you can uncover your websites’ own weaknesses and recalibrate your strategies.
Focus on content quality.
Enhance user experience.
Start auditing your site and make changes.
The road ahead might seem daunting but remember, every step towards improvement is a step away from Google hell.