Google Core Update March 2024: Strategies for Fixing Sites

Google's John Mueller Addresses Completion of March Core Update on Reddit

John Mueller from Google recently responded to a query on Reddit regarding the status of the March Core Update and whether it is safe to start making adjustments in light of the update.

"People told me not to make big changes to my blogs during the core update. But I still saw a huge drop in traffic - about 60%. Now, I really want to fix things and get my rankings back up."

Do you have any tips for me? It seems like my pages, with purchased backlinks, have been hit the hardest!

The advice given to the Redditor about waiting until after an update is completed before making any fixes is usually good advice.

March 2024 Core Algorithm Update Is Not Over

Core algorithm updates involve changes to all the algorithms used in search. The ranking component of the algorithm is a key part of Google's Core Algorithm. This ranking system consists of various components that focus on understanding search queries and webpages, assigning weights to different factors based on the context and meaning of the query, as well as considering relevance, quality, and page experience, among other factors.

Spam related systems like RankBrain are also part of the core algorithm. The March 2024 Core Update is known to be quite complex, which could be why it is still ongoing. John Mueller mentioned that the update is still in progress.

He explained:

“No, it’s not complete. It’ll be labeled complete when it’s finished rolling out.”

Should You Wait Until The Update Is Over?

Mueller next addresses the part of the question that is about whether the person should wait until the update is over to fix their site.

He responded, "If you've identified areas for improvement on your website, it's a good idea to go ahead and make those changes. Remember, it's not just about pleasing search engines. Your users will appreciate a better experience, even if search engines haven't caught up yet."

John Mueller emphasizes the importance of addressing any issues found during a website self-assessment at any time.

As someone with 25 years of experience in search marketing, longer than John Mueller, I understand that rankings can fluctuate during algorithm updates. It is common for significant ranking changes to be corrected by the end of an update. Making changes before the update is complete may result in altering something that is not actually problematic.

In this particular case, following John Mueller’s advice to fix any issues is the right move. The Redditor mentioned paid links as a possible reason for their drop in rankings, which could indeed be a significant factor.

If you haven't been involved in paid links or aggressive link building strategies such as guest posts with keyword-heavy anchor texts, it might be best to hold off on making changes for now.

According to Google's documentation on the March Core Update, this specific update is considered complex and the fluctuations in rankings may continue. This indicates that websites that experienced a drop in rankings could potentially see an improvement in their rankings.

Optimizing For People

During this complex update, the rollout could span over a month. Expect to see more fluctuations in rankings compared to a regular core update. This is because various systems are being fully updated and reinforcing each other.

Mueller suggests prioritizing website optimization for people over search engines. He highlights the importance of optimizing for "users," referring to site visitors.

One way to improve your website, regardless of the current situation, is to explore different ways to increase traffic. This will help reduce the impact of search engine changes on your site's performance.

By focusing on attracting organic traffic, you will naturally prioritize creating valuable content for your users. This aligns with search engines' goals of providing quality results to users.

Mueller's response makes a lot of sense as it aligns with how Google ranks websites. This approach to SEO is known as User Experience SEO, which involves considering how content impacts the user's experience and satisfaction.

By applying these principles, I was able to predict everything that was included in Google's Reviews Update several years in advance. As a result, my clients with review websites were well-prepared for the update and were not taken by surprise.

Optimizing for people goes beyond just making your site look good or focusing on quality content. It is a practical approach to building and improving websites that can rank well in search engines.

The recent anti-trust lawsuit against Google highlighted the importance of user interaction signals, such as the Navboost signal, in determining search rankings. Google pays attention to how users interact with websites, so creating sites that generate positive responses is key to boosting rankings.

Read the discussion on Reddit:

Is the March core update ended yet?

Editor's P/S:

John Mueller's recent Reddit response regarding the ongoing March Core Update highlights the complexities involved in algorithm updates and the importance of prioritizing user experience. While it is generally advisable to wait until an update is complete before making significant changes, Mueller emphasizes the value of addressing any identified areas for improvement, regardless of the update's status. The focus should remain on enhancing the user experience, rather than solely chasing search engine rankings.

Mueller's emphasis on optimizing for people aligns with the principles of User Experience SEO, which prioritizes providing valuable and engaging content for users. By creating websites that generate positive user interactions, businesses can improve their search rankings while also enhancing the overall user experience. This approach has been proven effective in preparing websites for major algorithm updates, such as the Google Reviews Update, and remains a key strategy for long-term SEO success.