In 2024, Google rolled out various impactful algorithm updates, reinforcing its commitment to improving search quality and combating spam. While fewer updates were confirmed compared to 2023, seven updates instead of nine, their impact was notable. In particular, the March 2024 core update was Google’s largest and most intricate core update to date. These changes forced SEOs, publishers, and business owners to rethink their content strategies as they grappled with the wide-reaching effects.
Alongside the four core updates, Google launched three spam updates and introduced several adjustments to its search systems. These addressed pressing issues like spammy content, site reputation manipulation, and the increasing prevalence of AI-generated content. Additionally, Google targeted emerging challenges such as deepfakes and inconsistencies in site-wide quality signals, further cementing its leadership in search regulation and innovation.
This article provides an in-depth review of the key algorithm changes Google implemented in 2024, including detailed insights into each core and spam update, other notable tweaks, and practical advice for webmasters looking to thrive in an ever-evolving search environment.
Looking for a quick overview? This Infographic should help!
Core Updates in 2024
March 2024 Core Update
As mentioned above, the March 2024 core update was the most significant and transformative in Google’s history, rolled out over 45 days between 5 March and 19 April. This update introduced substantial changes to Google’s core systems, dramatically improving how content is evaluated and ranked.
Google referred to this update as “more complex than usual,” with a central focus on eliminating low-quality and unoriginal content. The results were staggering: a 45% reduction in such content appearing in search results, surpassing Google’s initial 40% goal. Chris Nelson, from Google’s Search Quality team, noted that the update featured advancements in spam detection and better systems for identifying high-quality, original material.
This update caused widespread volatility across search engine results pages (SERPs), particularly in news, health, and finance. Websites offering unique and authoritative content saw significant gains, while those relying on thin or duplicate content experienced dramatic drops in traffic.
Here’s a chart comparing the volatility of the March 2024 Core Update:
Key Features of the March 2024 Core Update:
- A comprehensive overhaul of multiple core systems for content evaluation.
- Strengthened spam detection policies.
- Achieved a 45% reduction in low-quality, unoriginal content.
- Notable SERP volatility, especially in news, health, and finance.
Impact on Websites:
- High-quality, authoritative sites saw improvements in rankings and organic traffic.
- Sites with excessive ads, poor user experience, or thin content experienced severe declines.
- Publishers prioritising unique, well-researched content reaped significant rewards.
Actionable Insights for SEOs:
- Prioritise creating original, in-depth content that aligns with Google’s quality standards.
- Regularly audit your website to identify and improve thin or duplicate content.
- Adopt user-first strategies, ensuring your content fulfils search intent effectively.
August 2024 Core Update
Launched on 15 August and completed by 3 September, the August 2024 core update addressed feedback from the September 2023 Helpful Content Update. This earlier update had unintentionally harmed many small and independent publishers. The August update refined Google’s systems to provide partial recoveries for some affected sites, although full recoveries were rare.
Google also updated its help documentation, offering clearer guidance on creating high-quality, useful content. This reflected Google’s ongoing focus on prioritising genuinely helpful information over content designed to manipulate rankings.
Key Features of the August 2024 Core Update:
- Adjustments based on feedback from the 2023 Helpful Content Update.
- Partial recoveries for some small and independent publishers.
- Reinforcement of content quality and user intent alignment.
Impact on Websites:
- Sites that improved content quality post-2023 update saw ranking boosts.
- Independent publishers experienced minor recoveries but remained cautious.
Actionable Insights for SEOs:
- Review and implement Google’s updated guidelines on helpful content.
- Prioritise user intent, ensuring your content directly addresses user queries.
- Diversify your content approach to avoid reliance on narrow ranking factors.
November 2024 Core Update
The November 2024 core update ran from 11 November to 5 December and was less disruptive than the March and August updates. Google continued its focus on rewarding genuinely useful, high-quality content while targeting low-value pages, prioritising ranking over user experience.
While the update caused minimal ranking fluctuations, niche sites with well-researched, evergreen content saw modest gains, underscoring Google’s preference for relevance and quality. You can read more about the November 2024 core update here.
Key Features of the November 2024 Core Update:
- Ongoing emphasis on rewarding high-quality, useful content.
- Lower SERP volatility compared to previous updates.
Actionable Insights for SEOs:
- Maintain a commitment to long-term content quality and relevance.
- Avoid creating content designed solely to exploit ranking algorithms.
December 2024 Core Update
Surprisingly, Google rolled out the December 2024 core update just one week after the November update concluded. Running from 12 to 18 December, this update focused on refining core systems further, causing moderate SERP fluctuations.
Key Features of the December 2024 Core Update:
- Updated various core systems for better content evaluation.
- Moderate volatility compared to previous updates.
Here’s a graph comparing the volatility between all of the 2024 updates:
Spam Updates in 2024
March 2024 Spam Update
The March 2024 spam update coincided with the March core update and aimed to enforce stricter spam policies. It was completed within 14 days and targeted spammy content and low-value practices.
June 2024 Spam Update
The June 2024 spam update was rolled out between June 20 and 27 and addressed broader spam practices, refining how Google detects and penalises spam.
December 2024 Spam Update
The December 2024 spam update was the most extensive of the year and applied globally across all languages. It targeted a wide array of spam behaviours, showing noticeable effects within days of its launch.
Other Important Algorithm Changes
- Deepfake Detection Algorithm (July 2024): Aimed at curbing the spread of deceptive deepfake content, tackling misinformation.
- AI Overviews Update (May 2024): Improved the accuracy and usability of AI-generated content summaries.
- Site Reputation Abuse Policy Enforcement (May 2024): Issued penalties for deceptive practices like falsifying credentials or manipulating reputation.
Search Bugs in 2024
Google confirmed and resolved several bugs throughout the year:
- January: Indexing bug causing fluctuations, resolved by 8 February.
- June: Indexing issues were fixed on 20 June.
- July: Fresh content indexing issue resolved by 9 July.
- August: The ranking bug was resolved on 20 August.
- December: Indexing issues addressed by 10 December.
Key Takeaways for SEOs
- Content Quality is Paramount: Focus on producing original, user-centric, and well-researched content.
- Avoid Spammy Tactics: Stay compliant with Google’s updated spam policies to maintain rankings.
- Stay Flexible: Monitor algorithm updates regularly and adapts your strategies to align with new guidelines.
- Call Outrank: Want someone to do the legwork and heavy lifting for you? Call Outrank! Still unsure? Find out why you need an online marketing agency.
2024: The Year of Change
Google’s 2024 algorithm updates brought sweeping changes, with a clear focus on enhancing search quality and combating spam. From the groundbreaking March core update to the surprise December core update, originality, relevance, and usefulness remained Google’s key priorities. SEOs and website designers who prioritise high-quality content and remain informed about algorithm changes will be well-positioned to succeed in the future.
