Main talking points:

In this episode, Pete and Jeff discuss Google's March 2024 algorithm update. This update focuses on Google's efforts to combat spam, particularly by addressing low-quality, unoriginal, and AI-generated content.

This update isn't just about algorithm changes, however, but also introduces new spam policies, specifically targeting expired domain abuse, scaled content abuse, and site reputation abuse.

• The update aims to reduce spammy and unoriginal content by about 40%, enhancing the quality of search results.
• The importance of content authenticity and value to users is underscored, noting that AI-generated content, if used, should not dominate a site's content strategy.
• Google's update is a move towards cleaning up the internet ecosystem, making it more user-centric and reducing the effectiveness of manipulative SEO tactics.

Pete and Jeff also discuss the broader implications for SEOs and website owners, encouraging them to focus on creating valuable, original content rather than relying on AI-generated or manipulative content strategies.

Links

• https://blog.google/products/search/google-search-update-march-2024/
• https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2024/03/core-update-spam-policies
• https://developers.google.com/search/docs/essentials/spam-policies#site-reputation