"Google Apocalypse Update [ March 2024 ]"
2025 Real SEO™ Definition
The March 2024 Google Core Update, dubbed the "Google Apocalypse" by many SEOs, was a major algorithm change that significantly impacted search rankings. It targeted low-quality, AI-generated, and unhelpful content in an effort to improve the overall quality of Google's search results. Here are the key points about this update...
Google Apocalypse 3 Major Components
1. Core Ranking Algorithm Update: This refined Google's understanding of low-quality, unhelpful web pages created solely for search engines rather than users.[1]
2. Helpful Content System Integration: Google fully incorporated its Helpful Content system into the core ranking algorithm, penalizing unoriginal, aggregated content without added value.[1][2]
3. New Spam Policies: Google introduced strict new policies against Expired Domain Abuse, Scaled Content Abuse, and Site Reputation Abuse, leading to widespread manual actions and de-indexing of websites.[1][3]
Severe Impact on Search Rankings
The update had a severe impact on search rankings, with websites disappearing from the SERPs overnight and SEOs reporting manual actions like never before.[1] Google estimated a 40-45% reduction in low-quality pages appearing in search results.[2]
Google Targeted Content Types
The March 2024 Google Apocalypse update primarily targeted:
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AI-generated content and sites manipulating search results[1]
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Unoriginal, aggregated content without added value[1][2][3]
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Content created for search engines rather than users[1][2][4]
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Poor user experience, including intrusive ads and uncited claims[2][4]
Emphasis on Original, Helpful Content
Google's goal was to prioritize high-quality, original, and helpful content created for human users over low-quality, AI-generated, or search engine-optimized content.[1][2][3][4] This update reinforced the importance of creating well-researched, informative, and engaging content tailored to the target audience.
In summary, the March 2024 Google Apocalypse Update was a significant effort by Google to combat low-quality content and improve the overall search experience for users by prioritizing original, helpful, and human-focused content.
Citations:
[1] https://www.thehoth.com/blog/googles-march-2024-core-update/
[2] https://www.hypotenuse.ai/blog/google-march-2024-core-update-is-complete
[3] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/googles-march-2024-update-time-get-serious-original-quality-hornak-5v1pf
[4] https://3blockdigital.com/googles-march-2024-core-update-prioritizes-helpful-contentgoogles-march-2024-core-update-prioritizes-helpful-content/