“The thing which attracted me to Google and to the Internet in general is that it’s a great equalizer. I’ve always been struck by the fact that Google search worked the same, as long as you had access to a computer with connectivity, if you’re a rural kid anywhere or a professor at Stanford or Harvard.” – Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google
Search just got smarter! In March 2024, Google introduced a significant core algorithm update that emphasizes user experience and high-quality content.
This update aims to refine search results and elevate the most relevant and valuable information to the forefront, ensuring that users find what they’re looking for quickly and easily.
According to Google, “We’re enhancing Search so you see more useful information, and fewer results that feel made for search engines.”
The March 2024 core update signifies Google’s commitment to providing the best possible search experience.
By focusing on user needs and high-quality content, Google continues their goal of connecting users with informative, trustworthy and engaging content that truly meets their search intent.
According to Search Engine Land, “Google’s emphasis has always been on originality, depth and value for the reader. Websites that were removed and deindexed [by the March 2024 core update] often relied heavily on thin or duplicated content without providing unique insights or perspectives.”
At the same time, Google has initiated new and improved spam policies. According to Google, these policies are designed to “keep the lowest-quality content out of Search, like expired websites repurposed as spam repositories by new owners and obituary spam.”
So, what does this all mean for you and your website’s search visibility? Google’s focus on user experience and top-notch content presents an opportunity for your business to refine its SEO strategy and ensure your content thrives in the ever-evolving search landscape.
Here are 6 key actions you can take to boost your search visibility in the aftermath of Google’s March 2024 core update:
1. Prioritize High-Quality, Original Content: Google aims to significantly reduce unoriginal and low-quality content by 40%.
Therefore, make sure to focus on creating valuable, informative and unique content that caters to your target audience’s needs as part of your ongoing digital marketing checklist.
Actions to Take:
- Focus on In-Depth Content: Craft content that goes beyond surface-level information and delves deeper into topics, offering valuable insights and unique perspectives.
- Target User Intent: Research what your audience is searching for and craft your content to answer their specific questions and address their pain points.
- Integrate Multimedia: Enhance user engagement with relevant images, infographics and/or short-form videos to break up text and provide a more visually appealing experience.
2. Emphasize Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T): Google increasingly prioritizes websites established as credible sources. This update further reinforces the importance of establishing yourself as an authority in your field.
Actions to Take:
- Showcase Author Credentials: If you’re an expert in your field, highlight your qualifications, experience and any relevant certifications. Add an “About the Author” box with this information to display at the bottom of online articles.
- Cite Credible Sources: Back up your claims and statistics with links to reputable sources like academic journals or established industry publications.
- Maintain Consistent Branding: Develop a consistent visual identity and brand voice across your website and content to establish trust and recognition.
3. Combat Manipulative Behaviors: This update highlights Google’s commitment to a fair and organic search landscape. Google is actively identifying and penalizing manipulative tactics like keyword stuffing and cloaking.
According to Search Engine Journal, “Stay informed about [Google Search Essentials] and ensure your website fully complies with their policies to avoid penalties.”
Action to Take:
- Create Naturally Flowing Content: Focus on writing content that reads naturally and incorporates relevant keywords organically throughout the text.
- Target Relevant Keywords: Conduct keyword research to identify relevant search terms but avoid keyword stuffing, which disrupts the user experience.
- Prioritize User Value: Don’t prioritize keyword placement over creating valuable content that genuinely informs and engages your audience.
4. Focus on User Experience: The update considers user experience more than ever before. In today’s fast-paced world, users have limited attention spans.
That’s why they expect a smooth and frustration-free experience when searching for information online.
By prioritizing user experience, you’ll be able to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
Actions to Take:
- Optimize Website Speed: Ensure your website loads quickly on all devices, as slow website loading speed can lead to frustrated users and higher bounce rates.
- Prioritize Mobile-Friendliness: Make sure your website has a mobile friendly responsive design that adapts smoothly to different screen sizes, as more and more users are searching on mobile devices.
- Structure for Readability: Break up long text blocks with subheads, bullet points and short, snack-sized paragraphs for easier skimming and scanning. This will help you win the so-called “attention economy” by leveraging the limited attention span of your target audience.
5. Elevate Informative, Helpful Content: Google’s core ranking systems are now even more adept at identifying content that truly serves users’ needs.
This update goes beyond simply matching keywords to prioritize content that is informative, engaging and addresses the user’s search intent in a comprehensive way.
Actions to Take:
- Answer User Queries Directly: Identify the core question your content aims to answer and ensure it’s addressed clearly and concisely early on.
- Provide Additional Value: Don’t just answer the question. Go beyond by offering additional insights, related information or helpful resources.
- Anticipate User Needs: Consider what related questions users might have and proactively address them within your content.
6. Regularly Evaluate Content: The update is a continuous process, not a one-time event. That means you need to regularly evaluate your content to ensure it remains fresh, relevant and adheres to Google’s evolving quality standards.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to utilize free AI tools to help deliver more personalized experiences by tailoring content to individual customers.
Actions to Take:
- Monitor Website Analytics: Use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to track key metrics like organic traffic, user engagement and bounce rates to identify areas for improvement.
- Refresh and Update Content: Regularly review your content and update it with fresh information, new trends and industry changes.
- Stay Informed on SEO Best Practices: Keep yourself updated on Google’s algorithm updates and evolving SEO trends to maintain optimal performance.
Best SEO Practices vs. Worst SEO Practices
The following chart outlines the key differences between “Best SEO Practices,” which align with Google’s current algorithm, and “Worst SEO Practices,” which can significantly actually hinder your website’s visibility.
By understanding these differences and implementing the recommended actions, you can ensure your content thrives in the new search landscape.
Gain the Competitive Search Edge
By prioritizing these elements and understanding the key SEO best practices outlined above, you can ensure your website thrives in search results – no matter what lies in store with future Google core updates.
Always remember that Google rewards informative, trustworthy and engaging content that truly meets user needs.
But how do you discover those needs? A qualified digital marketing agency can take your SEO efforts to the next level by researching what people are actually searching for. This allows you to tailor your content to address these specific consumer needs, giving you a significant edge over competitors who might be creating content in a vacuum.
By partnering with SEO experts, you can gain valuable insights into search trends and user intent, ensuring your content resonates with your target audience and positions you for long-term success in search.
A History of Google’s Most Significant Core Updates
Before Google’s March 2024 emphasis on user experience and high-quality content, several core algorithm updates significantly impacted search rankings over the past 20 years. These updates all aimed to improve the quality and relevance of search results for users.
The following chart lists the most impactful core updates that took place before Google’s March 2024 update.
