Completion of Google March 2024 Core Update

Intro

The first core update of 2024, referred to as the March 2024 core update, concluded its rollout on April 19. This update was significant, coinciding with other major changes, and resulted in a 45% reduction in low-quality, unhelpful content on Google Search.

Initiated on March 5, the March 2024 core update took a full 45 days to roll out, completing on April 19. This update was complex, involving adjustments to multiple core systems and effectively ending the standalone helpful content update, which had been previously distinct.

Google confirmed the completion of the rollout on April 26, 52 days after it began. A Google spokesperson emphasized the ongoing evolution of the web and spam tactics, stating, “As the web and spam tactics continue to evolve, we’ll continue to work to reduce low quality, unoriginal content in Search. We appreciate and encourage feedback from users and site owners alike.”

Highlights of the March 2024 Core Update:

The update included significant enhancements to Google's core systems, introduced on March 5, targeting spam and low-quality content, with these changes now fully rolled out.

The original projection was a 40% reduction in low-quality content; however, the actual outcome was a reduction closer to 45%, as noted by a Google spokesperson: “The updates led to larger quality improvements than we originally thought – you’ll now see 45% less low quality, unoriginal content in search results.”

Additional Changes and Feedback Mechanisms:

In response to these updates, Google also revised its help center page, providing guidance for site owners on how to address drops in Google Search rankings.

A new feedback form was introduced for site owners to submit detailed reports if they experience ranking changes that require closer examination by the Google Search team.

Overlapping Updates and Their Impact:

The March 2024 core update coincided with the March 2024 spam update, which started on the same day but concluded earlier on March 20. Following these updates, Google also issued a number of manual actions against pure spam issues and updated its core web vitals, switching from FID to INP.

Given the simultaneous nature of these updates, isolating the specific impact of each on a site’s performance in Google Search can be challenging.

Further Insights into the March 2024 Core Update:

Chris Nelson from Google described the March 2024 core update as a more complex update than usual, involving changes across multiple systems. This update also signifies an evolution in how Google assesses content helpfulness. Elizabeth Tucker, Director of Product, Search at Google, echoed this sentiment, initially suggesting a 40% improvement in reducing unhelpful content, a figure that was later revised to 45%.

Legacy and Future of Helpful Content Updates:

This March 2024 core update marks the end of separate helpful content updates, as these have now been integrated into the core update system. The previous September 2023 helpful content update was substantial, and it is hoped that some sites affected might find relief with this latest core update.

Mordy Oberstein commented on the impact of the March core update, noting its significant, though non-linear effects.

Advice for Affected Websites:

Historically, Google has advised that not all ranking drops necessarily indicate issues with a site’s content. Recovery between core updates can be minimal, with more substantial recovery potentially following subsequent updates. Google recommends focusing on creating helpful, user-first content.

Chris Nelson advised, “There’s nothing new or special that creators need to do for this update as long as they’ve been making satisfying content meant for people. For those that might not be ranking as well, we strongly encourage reading our creating helpful, reliable, people-first content help page.”

Context and Importance of Google Algorithm Updates:

Google algorithm updates are crucial for all site owners to monitor as they can significantly affect search rankings, impacting traffic, conversions, and revenue. Understanding when these updates occur helps site owners discern if traffic changes are due to internal site modifications or external adjustments in Google’s ranking algorithms.