End of Google March Spam Update & Core Update Still Ongoing.

March Spam Update (Completed)

This update, launched on March 5th, took roughly two weeks to fully roll out.

The announcement arrived through an update on Google’s Search Status Dashboard.

Its target?

Three main culprits:

1. Scaled Content Production

Are you churning out generic content with AI writing tools?

Google’s coming for you.

This update cracks down on websites that prioritize quantity over quality.

2. Expired Domain Misuse

Buying up expired domains just to pump them with spam?

Think again.

Google is now penalizing sites that exploit expired domains for SEO gains.

3. Site Reputation Abuse

Engaging in shady practices like link buying or keyword stuffing to inflate your authority?

Google’s got a new policy coming in May to tackle this head-on.

Impact On Websites and Search Results Influenced By Google March Spam Update & Core Update

Publishers and SEO professionals gain newfound clarity about the impact of the changes as the spam update rollout ends. This is illuminating the search landscape.

Early signs from SISTRIX show significant ranking shifts, with some websites disappearing from search results altogether.

A study revealed a disturbing trend – 100% of deindexed websites had AI-generated content, with half relying heavily on it (90-100% of their content!).

Originality.ai

After rolling out the new spam policies, Google’s team went on a spam crackdown blast, manually taking action against websites engaged in blatant spam tactics. But these manual penalties were different from the widespread algorithmic demotions caused by the March spam update itself.

The key distinction? Manual actions involve human reviewers at Google examining sites and issuing penalties, which come with a notification in Google Search Console. But algorithmic updates like the March spam update happen automatically behind the scenes, with no individual notifications.

A website can get whacked by both a manual penalty and an algorithmic demotion at the same time. The spam fighters at Google were using a one-two-punch approach – manually swatting down the most egregious spam offenders, while the algorithm automatically readjusted rankings for lesser violations.

So if your site took a hit recently, it’s worth checking Google Search Console. A manual action means you likely crossed a serious spam line and need to clean up your act. But if there’s no notification, it may just be the algorithm’s way of nudging you toward better practices.

Core Update Still In Progress and Here Comes “Helpful Content”.

Running parallel to the spam update is the ongoing Google March Core Update. This update integrates Google’s “Helpful Content” evaluation into its core ranking algorithm.

In simpler terms, Google is prioritizing content that’s genuinely helpful, informative, and valuable to users.

Google indicated that the core update will require a few additional weeks to finalize.

Danny Sullivan, Google’s Search Liaison, advises patience and caution.

He stresses the significance of awaiting the completion of the update before implementing substantial adjustments in reaction to ranking fluctuations.

SEO Action Plan (Focus On Quality)

Here’s what you, as an SEO pro, should be doing right now:

1. Focus on User-Centric Content

Create content that solves user problems, addresses their needs, and provides genuine value.

2. Audit Existing Content

Is your content thin, repetitive, or AI-generated? Fix and tune it with fresh perspectives and human expertise.

3. Prioritize Expertise & Authority

Establish yourself as a trusted source in your niche. Back your claims with research and data.

4. Hold Your Horses

The core update is still rolling out. Wait for it to finish before making drastic SEO decisions based on ranking fluctuations.

The path forward is clear – invest in creating truly superior, human-focused content that establishes you as the go-to authority in your niche. Those who prioritize quality over quick fixes will be the winners of this more discerning, spam-free era in Google March Spam Update & Core Update.