Google’s March 2024 Core Update sent shockwaves through the online community, particularly impacting websites relying on organic search traffic. The update targeted low-quality content and AI-generated spam, resulting in the deindexing of numerous websites and a significant loss of traffic and revenue for affected site owners.
A study by Originality AI found that a high percentage of the deindexed websites were utilizing AI-generated content, with 50% of impacted sites having 90-100% of their posts created by AI. This crackdown by Google highlights the search engine’s commitment to improving search result quality and combating manipulative tactics in the digital space.
In response to the update, website owners are now faced with the challenge of increasing organic traffic in this new reality. Strategies for achieving this include conducting a comprehensive content audit to identify underperforming content, focusing on high-performing content that has not yet reached the top search results, and optimizing for featured snippets to improve visibility in search results.
While Google has not explicitly banned AI-generated content, the emphasis is on quality, originality, and user value. The responsible use of AI as a content creation tool, coupled with human insight and editing, is encouraged to ensure the delivery of valuable information to users.
Moving forward, Google’s focus on Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) will be crucial for website owners looking to increase organic traffic. By prioritizing quality signals and providing a superior user experience, websites can adapt to the new search landscape and thrive in the era of quality-driven content.