Google March 2024 Spam Update Completed

Intro

The Google March 2024 spam update concluded its rollout on March 20 after nearly 15 days. While the spam update has finished, Google's March 2024 core update is still in progress and is expected to continue for a few more weeks.

According to a recent announcement by Google, "The spam update rollout was completed as of March 20, 2024." This was a comprehensive update, beginning on March 5 and wrapping up 14 days and 21 hours later, as detailed on Google's status page.

Chris Nelson from Google commented on the commencement of the spam update, stating on March 5, “Alongside our new spam policies, we are launching the March 2024 spam update today.” This update introduces several enhancements to Google's automated systems that detect search spam, commonly referred to when notable improvements are made. These systems are constantly operating, but occasionally they are significantly improved, as further explained in Google’s spam updates page.

One significant feature of these updates is SpamBrain, Google's AI-based system designed to improve spam detection and address new types of spam, which you can read more about here. Websites affected by the spam update should review Google’s spam policies to ensure compliance, as non-compliance may lead to lower rankings or removal from search results altogether.

The update also introduced three new spam policies:

1. Scaled content abuse.
2. Expired domain abuse.
3. Site reputation abuse.

The first two policies are effective immediately, while the site reputation abuse policy will come into effect in May.

It’s important to differentiate between manual actions and algorithmic updates. Manual actions involve human reviewers at Google assessing whether a site violates spam policies, whereas algorithmic updates, like the March 2024 core or spam updates, are automated and do not result in manual actions but can lead to algorithmic demotions. More about Google's fight against web spam can be found in their 2021 Web Spam Report.

The distinction is crucial because, unlike manual actions, algorithmic updates do not notify website owners through Google Search Console’s manual action viewer. A website might be affected by both types of actions.

As the core update continues to roll out, Google advises patience before making any significant changes to your website. The completion of the core update will likely bring more changes to search rankings, and it’s wise to wait until it fully concludes.

With the continuous updates and new policies, staying informed and prepared is essential for maintaining or improving your site's ranking. Remember, the March 2024 spam update might be over, but it certainly won't be the last from Google.