Is this AI content’s reckoning? Google’s March 2024 core update explained

Google’s March 2024 core update is being called a ‘bloodbath’ for those pumping out AI-scaled content and relying on buying expired domains to prop up their SEO efforts.

The algorithm changes aim to improve the quality of search results and reduce spam. Think of it as Google’s latest crusade for quality, taking aim at the fluff and filler that’s been cluttering the web over the past couple of years.

This core update is about to reward the creators who painstakingly craft content that’s both engaging and meaningful. So if you’ve been pouring your heart into producing content that’s genuinely useful, congratulations! Your efforts are about to pay off, big time.

Let’s break it down.

What’s changing?

The essence of this update is to prioritise content that’s original, insightful, and, above all, created with the reader in mind, not search engines. Google is on a mission to demote the generic, the uninspired, and the mass-produced, elevating content that enriches the user’s online journey, instead. AI-scaled content? Not the vibe.

At the heart of this update are algorithmic enhancements designed to elevate genuinely helpful information and diminish the presence of spammy content:

• Enhanced quality ranking: Google is tweaking its core ranking algorithms to better differentiate between content that adds value and pages that seem churned out for search engines rather than human readers.
• Updated spam policies: In a move to scrub the lowest quality content from the search landscape, Google’s refreshed spam policies are set to combat everything from the abuse of expired domains to obituary spam.

On the spam front:

Google’s spam-fighting saga continues, with updates aimed at giving the boot to the lowest of the low-quality content. We’re talking about:

• A zero-tolerance policy on mass-produced nonsense: Whether it’s churned out by bots or a room full of bored humans, if it’s built to game the rankings without adding value, it’s out.
• The end of riding coattails: Slapping low-quality third-party content on a respected domain? That’s a hard pass from Google.
• Expired domains beware: Snatching up old domains to prop up new, dodgy content? Also a massive no-go.

By Google’s calculations, this update is set to reduce low-quality content by a whopping 40%. This means the winds of digital change are about to favour those who engage their brains to craft content that’s not just relevant, but original and genuinely enriching.

Google says:

“We believe these updates will reduce the amount of low-quality content in Search and send more traffic to helpful and high-quality sites. Based on our evaluations, we expect that the combination of this update and our previous efforts will collectively reduce low-quality, unoriginal content in search results by 40%.”

Why does it matter?

This shift is about transforming the web from a minefield of mediocrity to a place of genuine value. A push towards an internet where finding meaningful content isn’t just possible—it’s expected.

It’s essentially a call to action to create with purpose, to favour authenticity over algorithms, and to infuse the internet with content that’s truly worth our time. The message is clear: original, human-centric content is paramount.

What’s the timeframe for compliance?

• A two-month window has been offered for websites to adhere to these new changes.
• Other updates are going to be released in the week following this one.
• Google is emphasising the importance of adapting to these changes promptly to maintain or improve our search rankings.

In essence, Google’s March 2024 core update is a milestone in the quest for a better internet. It champions quality, rewards originality, and serves as a reminder that online, the most powerful currency is content that truly connects.