Google is rolling out their March 2024 core update along with new spam policies - what does this mean for you?

What is Included in This Update?

The purpose of this core update is to continue to provide users with valuable, helpful content. Google is dedicating this update to reducing unhelpful content designed just to drive clicks with the purpose of SEO in mind, rather than the reader.

Google claims this update "marks an evolution in how we identify the helpfulness of content", as they are using multiple systems to identify reliable, helpful and valuable information. 

Spam Policies

Along with the core update, google is updating their spam policies.  Google claims their "spam policies are designed to address practices that can negatively impact the quality of google's search results".

Sites that violate googles spam policies will rank lower in SERPs, so be sure to read up on their policies. 

This includes:

• Expired domain abuse - This is where an expired domain name is purchased and repurposed primarily to manipulate search rankings by hosting content that provides little to no value to users. 
• Scaled content abuse - this is when pages are produced for the purpose of manipulating search rankings, and not helping users. They are pages that claim to answer a popular question users often search for, but do not provide the promised content. 
• Site reputation abuse - In which third-party pages are republished, taking advantage of the first-party site's ranking signals. 
• Cloaking - The act of presenting different content to search engines and users. Cloakings sole purpose is to manipulate search rankings, and mislead readers. 
• Hidden text and links - Also known as 'black hat SEO', this involves using white text on white backgrounds, hiding text behind images, using code to position text off-screen, making text transparent and more. The purpose is to manipulate search engines and rank higher by using hidden keywords/content. 
• Keyword Stuffing - This is the act of repeating a keyword or phrase multiple times throughout your page, in a way that is unnatural. 
• Link Spam - Google uses inbound links to rank sites/pages, and link spam is the act of offering money or services for links.
• and more.

Read the Policies Here

What Does This Mean for Me?

As long as you are producing helpful, reliable and genuine content, you have nothing to worry about. If you're unsure if your content qualifies, Google has made a guide on how to create helpful, reliable, people-first content, of which you can read here. 
Due to the size of this update, it will be rolling out over the course of a month. During this time, your search ranking may fluctuate, as the different systems are being updated - if you would like to keep updated, keep an eye on the Google Search Status Dashboard.

Read More: 

https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2024/03/core-update-spam-policies
https://developers.google.com/search/help/helpful-content-faq
https://developers.google.com/search/docs/essentials/spam-policies
https://blog.google/products/search/google-search-update-march-2024/