March Algorithm Update Explained
Hello and welcome back to the Search Engine Optimization Podcast with Tim Jennings, your go-to source for all things SEO! As the Head of SEO at Soulheart for almost a decade, Tim has been the driving force behind countless businesses and nonprofits achieving their goals using organic traffic from search engines like Google.
In the podcast episode “March 2024 Google Algorithm Update Explained” we talk about what is happening with this core update and the two big myths circulating the SEO community concerning it.
What to Listen For
- Episode Introduction – 0:01
- Quick Overview of the March 2024 Google Spam Update – 1:43
- Mass Produced AI Content – 2:47
- Expired Domain Redirects – 4:04
- Myth #1 Google is Targeting Websites That Use AI – 5:27
- Myth #2 People Who Purchase Expired Domains are Receiving a Manual Penalty – 7:20
- How to Make Sure That You are Safe From All Algorithm Updates – 8:08
Episode Transcript
March Google Algorithm Update Podcast Episode
Hello and welcome back to the Search Engine Optimization Tips and Tricks Podcast with Tim Jennings. I’m excited that you are here! I am your host, Tim, and I have been leading the efforts in SEO at Soulheart for almost 10 years now. My goal is to explain different aspects of SEO in a way that any marketing manager or small business owner can understand and easily implement.
Today, I want to talk to you about a crazy hot topic in the SEO community, that all businesses and nonprofits need to understand. Google’s algorithm is currently in the middle of another major core update. This one is a BIG one too. According to Google, it will take 3-4 weeks to finish rolling out, affecting 40% of their Search Engine Result Pages (SERPs). So this is clearly a topic of major importance. However, this episode isn’t about the update itself – although we will touch on it. Instead, this episode will point out the two biggest myths that I am seeing about the algorithm. And what is mind-blowing to me is that I am hearing these myths from other SEO professionals in the industry. 😯
Quick Overview of the March 2024 Google Spam Update
We honestly don’t know much about this algorithm update yet. Until it is finished rolling out, all we can do is read the documentation that Google puts out about the update and try to decipher what it means. Unfortunately though, too often, people tend to overreact when it comes to these announcements and make bold claims that cannot be backed up with data.
Google said in their announcement about this March 2024 algorithm update that the two things they are targeting are websites that use spam tactics to trick the algorithm into showing their content; even if it isn’t high-quality and helpful content for the user searching. They admitted they were targeting sites that mass produce AI content and websites that buy expired domains and forward them to their website.
Mass Produced AI Content
With the invention and accessibility of AI, anyone can easily and quickly mass-produce content on their website. Many website owners were using ChatGPT and other AI platforms to mass-produce low-quality content and publish it on their websites. When I say mass-produce, I am talking about hundreds of new articles a day with extreme cases producing thousands!
What they found was it was a quick and easy way to game the system and skyrocket their website to the top of the SERPs. It was a quick and easy way to cover every aspect of a topic in a very efficient time. However, these articles were poor in quality, regurgitating the same widely-known content, and even contained false information.
When content is mass-produced, it is impossible to edit and ensure the validity of the information presented. Google stated they target these sites because they are considered spam and wash down the SERPs.
Expired Domain Redirects
The other tactic that Google is targeting with this spam update is the redirecting expired domain tactic. Many SEO professionals know that links are arguably the most important factor that proves authority. If other websites are pointing to a single site, that website is clearly an authority on the topic in the eyes of the algorithm.
These SEO professionals and website owners would look for domains that have expired and have a lot of backlinks, purchase those domains, and redirect them to their sites. It was a quick way to build the authority of a website. Many of these people did not care if the expired domain was even remotely associated with the niche of their website. This led to users expecting to go to a website about a specific topic only to be rerouted to a website in a completely different niche. That is very frustrating for the user and if it happens enough, they are likely to leave the search engine altogether leading to fewer users and thus less advertising dollars.
Top Two Myths Circulating About The Algorithm Update
Myth 1: Google is Targeting Websites that use AI
Nowhere and I mean, NOWHERE does the spam algorithm update say they are targeting websites that use AI to create content. If you hear someone tell you that Google is targeting sites that use AI to produce content then that is a good clue to find a new SEO resource. That is not at all what Google was saying when they mentioned this spam update.
Take second to step back and think through this logically. AI is here and it isn’t going anywhere any time soon. Not only that but Google even recently updated their documentation. Until September 2023, their documentation stated “Google’s helpful content system generates a signal by our automated ranking systems to better ensure people see original helpful content written by people, for people, in search results.” Ever since September of 2023, their documentation now states “Google’s helpful content system generates a signal by our automated ranking systems to better ensure people see original helpful content created for people in search results.” Why would they go through the trouble of updating their documentation to remove the portion that says you shouldn’t use AI if they are not okay with AI-created content?
Myth 2: People Who Purchase Expired Domains are Receiving a Manual Penalty
Once again, this is an overreaction to the Google announcement. Google is not saying that you cannot purchase expired domains and redirect them to your site. Google is saying that if you are going to redirect an expired domain that you have purchased then it needs to be in that same niche. Do not purchase expired domains from different niches and redirect them to your website. If it is in the same niche, then you are totally fine with your strategy.
How To Make Sure That You Are Safe From All Algorithm Updates
Navigating the sea of SEO information can be daunting. Avoid falling for sensationalized claims or clickbait. For reliable and up-to-date SEO insights, turn to Soulheart Circle, our digital marketing platform offering weekly tips, courses, live Q&A webinars, and more to help you effectively market your product or service online.
Episode Resources
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