Surviving Google’s March 2024 Core Update: A Guide for Non-Tech Savvy Entrepreneurs
Google’s recent announcement of the March 2024 Core Update has sent shockwaves through the SEO landscape. As an entrepreneur or business owner, it’s crucial to understand the implications of this update and how it may affect your online presence (organic traffic). Let’s dive into the key takeaways from this update and what you can do to adapt effectively.
Understanding the March 2024 Core Update: Prioritizing Quality ContentPrioritizing Quality Content
Google’s latest core update aims to enhance the quality of search results by combatting spammy and low-quality content. This update includes algorithmic enhancements to prioritize surfacing helpful and relevant information while minimizing unoriginal content in search results.
The focus is on identifying pages with poor user experience or content tailored for search engines rather than human audiences. This strategic move by Google underscores the importance of creating valuable, people-centric content to improve search rankings.
New Spam Policies: Cracking Down on Manipulative Practices
In addition to the March 2023 core update, Google is introducing new spam policies to address practices that negatively impact search results. These policies target specific abusive behaviors, including expired domain abuse, scaled content abuse, and site reputation abuse.
- Expired domain abuse: Repurposing expired domains to manipulate search rankings.
- Scaled content abuse: Generating numerous pages solely for ranking purposes.
- Site reputation abuse: Publishing third-party pages with minimal oversight to manipulate search rankings.
Impact on Rankings: Swift Enforcement of Manual Actions
A standout feature of Google’s March 2024 Core Update is the rapid implementation of manual actions. If a website is found to be in violation of Google’s guidelines, it could face penalties swiftly, potentially leading to its removal from search results altogether—a process known as deindexation. Google’s proactive stance underscores its commitment to maintaining the integrity of search results and penalizing sites that engage in manipulative practices.
This approach signifies a departure from the past, where penalties might have taken longer to materialize. Now, with the March 2024 Core Update, Google is taking a more aggressive stance against violations, ensuring that websites adhere to its guidelines promptly. For entrepreneurs, this means that staying compliant with Google’s policies is more critical than ever. Failure to do so could result in severe consequences for a business’s online visibility and reputation.
Real-World Example: The BNR Article
To see the real-world impact of such updates, we can look at Johannes Keuning from 27vakantiedagen.nl. His website experienced a dramatic drop in rankings following a similar update. Once prominently placed in the top search results, his site now languishes in the eighties. This plummet led to a drastic reduction in traffic from half a million visitors per month to just 70,000, and a subsequent 70% drop in revenue. For more details on this case, you can read the full article from BNR.
(Business Nieuws Radio) is a Dutch news radio station that focuses on business and financial news. It’s a well-regarded source for updates on economic developments, corporate news, and market trends in the Netherlands.
Understanding the Impact of Google’s AI Overviews on SMEs
As AI-driven content creation continues to gain traction, Google reiterates its commitment to rewarding high-quality, relevant content. The update emphasizes the importance of content that exhibits expertise, authority, and trustworthiness (E-A-T), regardless of whether it originates from AI algorithms or human editors.
However, Google’s stance on AI content underscores the need for a balanced approach. While AI technology can streamline content creation processes and enhance efficiency, it must be complemented by human insight to ensure the substance and authenticity of the content. This means that businesses must strike the right balance between leveraging AI tools and incorporating human expertise into their content creation strategies.
By prioritizing substance over superficiality, businesses can align with Google’s quality standards and enhance their online visibility. This entails investing in both technological solutions and human resources to create content that resonates with users and meets Google’s criteria for relevance and credibility. Ultimately, finding the right balance between AI-driven automation and human creativity is key to succeeding in the digital landscape shaped by Google’s March 2024 Core Update.
In addition to the March 2024 Core Update, Google’s recent introduction of “AI Overviews” has further changed the landscape of search. According to Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, this feature, already available to users in the United States, aims to provide AI-generated answers to a wide array of questions, effectively transforming Google Search from a traditional search engine into a search-and-answer engine.
This shift is significant for SMEs, especially those relying on organic search traffic. On one hand, AI Overviews can streamline user experiences by delivering direct answers quickly, which might enhance user satisfaction. On the other hand, it raises concerns about the visibility and discoverability of SME content. If AI-generated answers dominate the top of search results, traditional organic listings might get less traffic, impacting the exposure and reach of your content.
If Google will prefers its own Ai generated awnser above websites that have the awnser for the users question, a lot of traffic will no longer be routed towards your website.
Meaning that in order to make up for the losses you need to alocate more budget for Adspend. I don’t see SME’s winning the SEO game form the large websites and corporations.Erik, Account Strategist House of Brands Media
Adapting to the Changes: Embracing Quality Content
As an entrepreneur or business owner, it’s essential to prioritize the creation of helpful, reliable, and people-first content. By adhering to Google’s guidelines and avoiding manipulative practices, you can safeguard your online presence and maintain visibility in search results.
Consider collaborating with content creators who understand the nuances of SEO and can produce high-quality content tailored to your audience. Platforms like WriterAccess offer a seamless blend of AI-driven capabilities and human expertise, ensuring your content meets Google’s standards while resonating with your target audience.
The Domino Effect on Advertising Costs
So, what does this mean for advertising? In a nutshell, costs are likely to skyrocket. Here’s why:
- Increased Competition: With organic traffic dwindling, more companies will turn to paid ads to maintain visibility. This surge in demand will inevitably drive up the cost-per-click (CPC).
- Big Players, Bigger Budgets: Large companies already dominate organic search results. With more money to burn, they’ll outbid smaller businesses in the ad space, further inflating CPC rates.
- Shrinking Margins for SMEs: As advertising costs rise, profit margins for small businesses will shrink. Many SMEs might be forced to abandon Google Ads altogether and look for alternative ways to attract customers.
Realistic or Just a Nightmare Scenario?
Is this scenario just a fantasy, or could it really play out this way? Let’s break it down:
- Increased CPC: This is almost a certainty. With more competition for ad space, prices will go up.
- Shift to Other Platforms: If Google Ads become too expensive, SMEs will look elsewhere—social media ads, influencer partnerships, email marketing, etc.
- Market Consolidation: Larger companies could consolidate their dominance, making it even harder for SMEs to compete.
The Future of SEO and Online Marketing for SMEs
So, what can SMEs do to navigate these choppy waters? Here are a few strategies:
- Diversify Traffic Sources: Don’t rely solely on Google. Build a strong presence on social media, invest in email marketing, and explore other search engines like Bing or DuckDuckGo.
- Focus on Quality Content: High-quality, relevant content still matters. Engaging blog posts, videos, and other media can attract traffic and build a loyal audience.
- Leverage Local SEO: Optimize for local searches to attract nearby customers. This can be particularly effective for brick-and-mortar businesses.
- Adapt and Innovate: Stay updated on SEO trends and be ready to adapt. Experiment with new strategies and be flexible in your approach.
Conclusion
Google’s March 2024 Core Update underscores the importance of quality content and ethical SEO practices. By staying informed about the latest updates and adapting your content strategy accordingly, you can enhance your online visibility and effectively reach your target audience.
Remember, the key to success lies in creating content that adds genuine value to users and aligns with Google’s quality standards. Embrace the human element in content creation while leveraging technology to stay ahead in the competitive world of SEO.
Sources
- Google Blog: “Google Search update, March 2024” – Provides insights into the March 2024 Core Update straight from Google’s official blog. (https://blog.google/products/search/google-search-update-march-2024/)
- Rock Content Blog: “Google Core Update March 2024” – Offers a comprehensive analysis of the March 2024 Core Update and its implications for digital marketers and website owners. (https://rockcontent.com/blog/google-core-update-march-2024/)
- Search Engine Land: “What we’re seeing a week into the Google March 2024 Core and Spam Updates” – Provides observations and insights into the effects of the March 2024 Core and Spam Updates on search results and website rankings. (https://searchengineland.com/what-were-seeing-a-week-into-the-google-march-2024-core-and-spam-updates-438316)
- She Knows SEO: “March 2024 Google Core and Spam Update” – Offers expert commentary and analysis on the March 2024 Core and Spam Updates, focusing on their impact on SEO strategies and website performance. (https://sheknowsseo.co/march-2024-google-core-and-spam-update/)
- Google Developers Blog: “Core update and spam policies” – Provides detailed information on the March 2024 Core Update and the new spam policies introduced by Google to improve search quality and combat manipulative practices. (https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2024/03/core-update-spam-policies)
- Google Developers Help Center: “Helpful Content FAQ” – Offers a FAQ section addressing common questions and concerns about the March 2024 Core Update and its impact on website rankings and search visibility. (https://developers.google.com/search/help/helpful-content-faq)
- Google Developers Blog: “Core update and spam policies” – Provides additional insights and updates on the March 2024 Core Update and the spam policies implemented by Google to ensure the quality and relevance of search results. (https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2024/03/core-update-spam-policies)
- BNR: “Drastische daling MKB-webverkeer door algoritme-update: ‘De beste plek om een lijk te verstoppen is op de tweede pagina van Google'” – Discusses the impact of Google’s algorithm update on SME web traffic. (https://www.bnr.nl/nieuws/tech-innovatie/10552972/drastische-daling-mkb-webverkeer-door-algoritme-update-de-beste-plek-om-een-lijk-te-verstoppen-is-op-de-tweede-pagina-van-google)
- BBC: “How Google’s new algorithm will shape your internet” – Explores the broader implications of Google’s new algorithm and how it will affect users and businesses alike. How Google’s new algorithm will shape your internet