The impact of Google’s March 2024 core update, which targets low-quality content and spam, is becoming apparent as the rollout progresses.
Recent analysis reveals that more than 800 websites were completely de-indexed from Google search results in the early stages of the update.
Generalized de-indexing
Ian Nuttall, a leading figure in the SEO community, has tracked the indexing status of 49,345 websites following the release of the March 2024 Core Update and their associated manual actions against the spam generated by AI
Nuttall’s findings shed light on the impact of Google’s latest initiative.
Of the 49,345 sites monitored, 837 websites had been completely removed from Google’s search index.
I checked the index status of 49,345 sites to measure the impact of manual AI spam actions!
1.7% of sites were affected, more than 20 million monthly organic visits disappeared and more than $446,000 in display advertising revenue was lost.
Do you want the data? Follow, like and reply with 👏 and I’ll send it to you! pic.twitter.com/sUo22DejaL
— Ian Nuttall (@iannuttall) March 8, 2024
This represents approximately 1.7% of the websites in Nuttall’s database. The de-indexed sites span multiple categories and ad networks, highlighting the broad reach of Google’s actions.
However, it is too early to tell if these websites will remain de-indexed, as several are already appearing again in Google search results.
I ran my script again to check the sites that were de-indexed and 21 of them are showing indexed pages in google again.
The big winners were fresherslive·com and oldtimemusic·com, which have 5 and 2.5 million pages indexed.
Here’s the full list:
fresherslive·com: 5,050,000 pages… pic.twitter.com/zgpm1toudt
— Ian Nuttall (@iannuttall) March 11, 2024
Significant loss of traffic and revenue
The consequences of deindexing are severe for affected websites.
According to Nuttall’s analysis, the 837 deindexed sites accounted for more than 20.7 million organic search visits per month before the manual action. The sudden loss of traffic is devastating for affected websites.
In addition, de-indexing is estimated to result in a monthly loss of $446,552 in displayed ad revenue for affected sites.
Targeting AI generated spam
The findings of Nuttall’s analysis align with a recent study conducted by Originality.aiwhich investigated the prevalence of AI-generated content among de-indexed websites.
The study found that 100% of the affected sites showed signs of AI-generated content, with 50% having 90-100% of your AI-generated posts.
These results suggest that Google’s March 2024 core update effectively targets websites that rely heavily on AI-generated content to manipulate search rankings.
The manual actions taken against these sites demonstrate Google’s commitment to combating the rise of AI-driven spam and low-quality content.
Reforming the search landscape
As the March 2024 Core Update continues to roll out, its impact on the search landscape is becoming increasingly apparent.
The widespread de-indexing of websites that engage in manipulative practices, particularly those that use AI-generated content, signals a significant shift in Google’s approach to maintaining the quality of search results.
The consistency between Nuttall’s data and the Originality.ai study reinforces that Google is taking decisive action to address the growing problem of AI-driven spam.
As the update progresses, websites and content creators must adapt to Google’s increased emphasis on quality and originality.
The full impact of the March 2024 Core Update will become more apparent as it continues to roll out over the coming weeks. However, early signs from Nuttall’s analysis and the Originality.ai study suggest that Google’s efforts to reshape the search landscape and prioritize high-quality human-generated content are well underway.
FAQ
What are the implications of Google’s March 2024 core update for website owners?
Google’s March 2024 Core Update has important implications for website owners:
Paraphrase like a human, make it sound more objective and use periods:
Google’s March 2024 Core Update has affected many websites, especially those that use AI-generated content. The update caused several sites to be deindexed, resulting in a decrease in organic search traffic and ad revenue for affected website owners. To maintain or improve search engine rankings, site owners should: Reevaluate the quality of their content to ensure it meets Google’s updated standards for originality and value. Consider switching to more original, human-generated content to avoid being flagged for low quality or spam. Website owners may need to adjust their content strategies to align with the new guidelines and mitigate potential loss of traffic and revenue.
How can marketers adapt their strategies in light of AI-driven content crackdowns?
Marketers should proactively adapt their strategies in response to the crackdown on AI-generated content, evidenced by updates like Google’s March 2024 Core Update. Adaptation involves:
Audit existing content to identify any AI-generated material that may be viewed as low-quality or spam, and rework it as necessary. Focusing on creating original, high-value content that benefits your target audience. Keeping up with evolving SEO best practices and algorithm changes Using AI tools judiciously, ensuring that AI-assisted content is carefully edited and enhanced with knowledge and original analyses. Prioritizing creativity, thorough research, and strong editorial standards can help marketers stay compliant with search engine guidelines.
This approach can also help build a more authoritative and trusted online brand.
What are the best practices for maintaining search engine rankings after Google’s core updates?
To maintain or improve your search engine rankings after a Google Core Update, such as the March 2024 Core Update, it is recommended that you follow the following best practices:
Focus on creating original, high-quality content that brings value to users. Review and optimize page elements such as meta titles, descriptions, and overall user experience and accessibility. Make sure these elements align with current best practices. Stay informed about Google’s webmaster guidelines and make sure your website fully complies with their policies to avoid penalties. Conduct regular website audits to identify and resolve technical issues that may adversely affect search engine crawling and indexing. Build a diverse backlink profile by earning links from reputable and relevant sources within your industry or niche. Continually monitor changes in search algorithms and be prepared to adapt your SEO strategies as needed to align with updated best practices and ranking factors.
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