google's march 2024 core update: key changes and how they affect you

3.31.24

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Google’s continuous efforts to enhance the user experience led to yet another major core update in March 2024. This update is expected to affect a large number of websites and their rankings on Google’s search engine results pages (SERPs).

As with any core update, website owners and SEO professionals should understand Google’s key changes and how they may impact their website’s visibility and traffic.

In this article, we will discuss the main changes brought about by Google’s March 2024 core update and provide insights on how website owners can adapt to them. So, let’s dive in:

key changes introduced in the google march 2024 core update

The latest Google core update saw significant changes in its ranking algorithm, impacting various aspects of website ranking and visibility on the search engine. The key changes include:

focus on helpful content

The latest Google core update has renewed its focus on providing helpful and high-quality content to users. This means websites with well-written, informative content that addresses user intent, and queries will be rewarded with higher search rankings.

This update should come as no surprise, as Google has been working to reduce the prominence of low-quality content since 2022. The update just furthers that initiative. Google expects that combining this core update with previous efforts will collectively reduce unoriginal, spammy content by 40%.

Some examples of what Google considers helpful, high-quality content include:

  • Expertly written articles or blog posts that provide valuable information to users.
  • In-depth guides or tutorials that offer step-by-step instructions for solving a problem.
  • Original research or analysis that adds new insights to a topic.

targeting ai-generated content

The new Google core algorithm update also aims to identify and penalize low-quality, AI-generated content. Now, that doesn’t mean that site owners should completely abandon AI to assist in content creation. In fact, AI-generated content can be helpful with human input and editing.

However, the focus is on penalizing sites that solely rely on AI-generated content without any human involvement. This includes websites that churn out low-quality, keyword-stuffed pages and articles in an attempt to manipulate Google search ranking.

This update serves as a reminder to site owners that while AI can be a useful tool, it should never be relied upon completely. Human input and quality control are still essential components of creating high-quality content that will rank well in search engines.

prioritizing user experience

Along with penalizing low-quality content, Google’s core algorithm update also makes further efforts to prioritize user experience. This means that sites with poor design and usability will be penalized in Google’s search results.

Some factors that can negatively impact user experience are:

  • Slow page load times
  • Unresponsive or difficult-to-navigate layouts
  • Pop-ups and other intrusive ads that hinder site usability
  • Poor mobile optimization

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how the march 2024 update might affect your website

Here are some ways in which the March 2024 core update may affect your website:

potential ranking fluctuations

Ranking volatility is common after a core algorithm update, and the March 2024 update is no exception. Your site’s ranking may experience fluctuations in the days following the release of the update as Google continues to fine-tune its algorithm.

If you notice a significant drop in your site’s search ranking, it could be due to a violation of one of the factors mentioned above. It’s important to regularly monitor your site’s web traffic and ranking, so you can address any issues that may arise.

websites impacted by the update

Google has not released specific information on which types of sites will be most affected. However, it’s safe to say that any site with low-quality or unoriginal content, poor user experience, and spammy tactics will see a negative impact on their search ranking.

Some examples of sites that may be impacted by the March 2024 core update are:

  • Content farms with low-quality or duplicate content
  • Affiliate marketing websites with little original content
  • E-commerce sites with poor product descriptions and thin content
  • Websites with excessive advertising and intrusive pop-ups

how to adapt your seo strategy for the new update

To ensure that your website maintains or improves in Google’s ranking systems, here are some steps you can take:

focus on high-quality content creation

Any content marketer will tell you that high-quality, original content is key to ranking well on Google. After all, Google is all about fulfilling user intent and providing the best, most relevant results.

With this latest update, the need to invest in quality content is more important than ever. This requires a deep understanding of your target audience and their search intent, as well as creating content that is informative, engaging, and share-worthy. If you’re struggling to come up with quality content ideas, consider hiring a digital marketing agency that specializes in content creation.

enhance user experience

Google has been placing increased emphasis on user experience in recent years. Websites that are optimized for user experience tend to rank higher in search results, and this trend is likely to continue with the March 2024 update. 

Some ways to improve user experience on your website include:

  • Improving page loading speed
  • Making your website mobile-friendly
  • Ensuring easy navigation and site structure
  • Providing a clear call to action on each page 
  • Regularly checking for and fixing broken links

 

By enhancing user experience, not only will you improve your search ranking, but you will also increase the likelihood of converting visitors into customers.

monitor performance and adapt

In order to stay on top of any potential fluctuations in search ranking, it is important to regularly monitor and analyze your website’s performance. This includes tracking your site’s traffic, bounce rate, click-through rate, and conversion rates. You can find this data through tools like Google Analytics.

If you notice any significant changes in these metrics after the March 2024 update, it may be a sign that your website needs to be adjusted or updated. By staying informed and adapting accordingly, you can maintain or improve your search ranking in the ever-evolving world of SEO.

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conclusion

As you can see, the March 2024 update has the potential to greatly impact your website’s search ranking. By staying informed, producing quality content, and prioritizing user experience, you can prepare for and potentially even benefit from this algorithm change.

Need help optimizing your website? Wildish Agency, a digital marketing agency in Reno, is here to help. We know how challenging it can be to pinpoint exactly why your website is performing the way it is, especially with constantly evolving algorithms. Our team will work with you to improve your website’s SEO and ultimately drive more traffic and conversions.

Don’t let the March 2024 algorithm update catch you off guard – contact us today to get started!

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