The March 2024 broad core update and what you need to know

Google’s March 2024 broad core update has arrived, bringing significant changes to the way websites are assessed and ranked. Core updates represent broad adjustments to Google’s search algorithms, designed to improve the overall quality and relevance of search results. This particular update places a powerful emphasis on search quality, rewarding valuable content and making life more challenging for those relying on… less helpful tactics. 

For webmasters and SEO professionals, this update signals a crucial shift. Google is refining its ability to identify and promote websites that genuinely serve their users. If you’ve always prioritised the creation of high-quality, informative content, this update presents a prime opportunity to strengthen your website’s visibility and establish your brand’s authority. 

If you’ve relied on shortcuts and low-quality tactics in the past, now is the time to change course. This update reinforces the importance of genuine value and makes quality content essential for ongoing success. Even websites with solid track records may need adjustments to stay fully aligned with Google’s evolving quality standards. 

Let’s dive into the specifics and explore how you can best navigate the changes introduced by the March 2024 update!  

SWOT Analysis by Ruby Digital 

Google’s algorithm changes are a constant in the world of SEO. To stay ahead, it’s useful to look back at previous core updates (like the March 2023 update). The Ruby Digital team has examined the March 2024 update through a SWOT analysis, outlining the potential strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats below:  

Strengths 

Improved Search Quality: This update puts a sharp focus on rewarding content that provides genuine value to users, potentially leading to a better overall search experience. 

• Reduction in Unhelpful Content: Google aims to significantly reduce the visibility of low-quality or unhelpful content. This clears the way for informative, well-crafted resources that address users’ needs. 

Comments from the Ruby Team: 

Robust Defence Against Update Volatility: “Ruby Digital’s adherence to Google’s SEO best practices provides its clients with a sturdy shield against the potential negative impacts of the March 2024 core update. This ensures stability in online visibility and rankings.” 

Commitment to High-Quality, Relevant Content: “By prioritising content that is both high-quality and relevant, Ruby Digital aligns with Google’s initiatives to reduce unhelpful content and emphasises the importance of the helpful content system. This dual focus makes clients’ content more resilient to algorithm changes and enhances its value and visibility in search results.” 

Weaknesses 

• Potential for Significant Ranking Fluctuations: Initial volatility in website rankings is likely as Google’s new systems are fully implemented and reinforce each other. 

Comments from the Ruby Team: 

Short-term Ranking Fluctuations: “Initial fluctuations in search rankings may impact visibility and traffic as the algorithm stabilises. Ruby Digital’s depth of SEO expertise is crucial for minimising long-term risk and navigating through this period of adjustment.” 

Adapting to Prolonged Rollout Periods: “The staggered rollout of Google’s updates poses short-term challenges for consistent rankings. Proactive monitoring and flexible strategy adjustments by Ruby Digital ensure sustained performance amidst the evolving search algorithms.” 

Opportunities 

• Rewards for High-Quality, Helpful Content: The March 2024 update creates a significant opportunity for websites that consistently provide exceptional, user-focused content. 

Comments from the Ruby Team: 

Leadership in Quality Content Creation: “Ruby Digital’s alignment with Google’s focus on reducing unhelpful content and encouraging high-quality, people-first content sets its clients apart. This establishes a forward-thinking approach that improves user engagement and loyalty.” 

Emphasis on E-E-A-T Factors: “By focusing on Expertise, Authoritativeness, Experience, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) factors, Ruby Digital ensures its clients’ content and online presence not only adhere to Google’s latest guidelines but are primed for higher rankings and better user perception. This strategic focus on E-E-A-T underscores the importance of content quality and credibility in achieving SEO success.” 

Threats 

• Challenges for Sites Engaging in Scaled Content and Expired Domain Abuses: Google’s focus on combating spam means websites relying on these tactics will face increasing difficulties achieving or maintaining high rankings. 

Comments from the Ruby Team: 

Perceptions of Ranking Changes Among Clients: “As Google’s updates roll out, you may notice fluctuations in your website’s ranking. It’s important to understand that Ruby Digital is strategically positioned to manage these changes. We are committed to adjusting our tactics to align with Google’s evolving algorithms, ensuring that any impact on rankings is both understood and mitigated with proactive strategies.” 

Adjustments to Industry Standards: “The ongoing evolution of Google’s policies requires Ruby Digital to stay at the forefront of SEO strategy development. Staying ahead in a competitive landscape necessitates a commitment to ethical practices and a continuous adaptation to ensure sustained success and compliance with the latest search engine guidelines.” 

Keeping Your Website Strong – Ruby Digital’s Response to the March 2024 Update 

Google’s March 2024 core update impacts how websites are ranked and viewed. As your SEO partner, Ruby Digital is here to break down the changes. Here’s what to expect: 

• Helpful Content System Integration: The helpful content system, previously announced in separate updates, is now fully integrated into Google’s core ranking algorithms. This reinforces Google’s commitment to prioritising content that provides genuine value to users. 
• End of Separate Helpful Content Update Announcements: Going forward, improvements to the helpful content system will be included within broader core updates. Webmasters will no longer see specific announcements solely focused on helpful content. 
• Increased Focus on Combating Spam: Google continues to refine its anti-spam measures. New spam policies will be discussed in detail in the next section but be aware they target practices including expired domain abuse, scaled content abuse, and site reputation abuse. 

Key Takeaways for Ruby Digital Clients 

Here’s how Ruby Digital stays ahead of the curve, ensuring your success: 

• We Prioritise Quality: Consistently creating informative, user-centric content remains the most reliable path to long-term SEO success. Google’s updates increasingly reward genuine helpfulness, while penalising tactics that are purely manipulative. 
• We Regularly Review Spam Policies: We’re familiar with the full range of Google’s spam policies to avoid violating guidelines, either intentionally or accidentally. 
• We Focus On E-E-A-T: Highlighting your website’s Expertise, Authoritativeness, Experience, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) aligns with Google’s emphasis on quality and can increase your content’s credibility and potential for higher rankings. 

Specific Changes and Their Impacts 

Google’s March 2024 update implements stricter policies and refined spam-detection systems, directly impacting websites engaging in manipulative practices.  

Here’s what you can expect: 

• Enhanced Anti-Spam Measures: Google’s algorithms are becoming more adept at identifying and penalising websites relying on spam and unhelpful content. This update signals a significant push to improve overall search result quality. 
• 40% Reduction in Unhelpful Content: Google aims to drastically reduce the visibility of unhelpful, low-quality content by approximately 40%. This creates greater opportunities for well-crafted, informative websites to thrive. 
• Immediate Action Against Specific Abuses: The following tactics are now targeted for immediate action by Google’s anti-spam measures:

Expired Domain Abuse

• The Tactic: Buying expired domains, once known for quality content or good rankings, and repurposing them with unrelated, low-value content to try and trick search engines into giving those pages higher authority. 
• Why it’s Spam: This practice is deceptive to users. It misrepresents the nature of the website and its content. Search engines aim to direct users to relevant, helpful sites, not relics of the past filled with new, irrelevant content. 
• How to Avoid This: If you use an expired domain, focus on creating a new, original website that’s a genuine asset for users. Don’t rely on past reputation – aim to build trustworthiness from scratch. 

Scaled Content Abuse

• The Tactic: Generating large volumes of content (whether automated, human-written, or a combination) primarily focused on manipulating search rankings, not on providing users value. 
• Why it’s Spam: This content floods the web with low-quality, often repetitive information. It dilutes search results, making it harder for users to find useful resources. Google is prioritising helpful content, so scaled spam tactics will be increasingly penalised. 
• How to Avoid This: Invest in crafting high-quality content that addresses users’ needs in unique and valuable ways. Even if you produce a significant amount of content, make sure every piece offers something fresh and distinctive. 

Site Reputation Abuse

• The Tactic: Hosting third-party content (like advertorials or partner content) on your website with minimal oversight, allowing its primary purpose to be ranking manipulation. 
• Why it’s Spam: This misuses a site’s own ranking signals to boost unrelated content, again misleading search engines and users. It undermines the integrity of search results. 
• How to Avoid This: Carefully vet any third-party content for quality and relevance to your audience. Ensure it genuinely adds value for your readers. Be selective about partnerships and maintain editorial control. 

Benefits and Learning Points from the Update 

While Google’s algorithmic changes can sometimes feel disruptive, this update offers significant opportunities for those focused on quality content and ethical SEO strategies. Here’s what you should keep in mind: 

• Emphasis on User-Centric Content: The update reinforces the importance of creating valuable, helpful content that genuinely addresses users’ needs. Websites prioritising this approach are poised to reap the benefits of improved rankings and better engagement. 
• Adapting to Evolving SEO Best Practices: SEO is a dynamic field. This update highlights the critical need to stay updated on Google’s latest guidelines and best practices. A commitment to continuous learning and adjustment will ensure long-term success in an ever-changing landscape. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Invest in Quality: Double down on producing high-quality content that delivers exceptional value to your audience. This is always the most future-proof SEO strategy. 
• Stay Informed: Take time to regularly reviewing Google’s Search Essentials (formerly Webmaster Guidelines) and updates to understand the latest ranking signals and potential penalties. 
• Prioritise E-E-A-T: Demonstrating your website’s Expertise, Authoritativeness, Experience, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) will become an increasingly important factor for achieving long-term visibility and success. 

In Closing 

The March 2024 Google core update represents a major step forward in refining search results and rewarding genuinely helpful content. For users, this means improved search quality and easier access to the information they truly need.  

By partnering with Ruby Digital, you’ve already embraced a user-centric content strategy. This puts you in a strong position as Google’s focus on quality intensifies. Rest assured, we’re committed to keeping your website aligned with the latest best practices. 

If you’re looking for additional guidance or have concerns about your website’s performance in light of this update, Ruby Digital is here to help. Our team of SEO and digital marketing experts stay on the cutting edge of Google’s algorithm changes, ready to advise and implement strategies that safeguard and expand your online presence.  

Learn more about our approach to content marketing, and how we help our clients not just manage core updates but benefit from them.  

Ready to future-proof your website? 

Contact Ruby Digital today for a comprehensive SEO audit and content strategy refresh!