The March 2024 Core Update: Google's Changes & Your Next Steps in SEO

Understanding Google's March 2024 Update & Your Action Plan

• Google's March 2024 core update has been big, shaking up search results. It was described by Google as "complex," meaning it's essential to understand the changes to keep your website performing well.
• At Activate Digital Media, we're here to break down those changes and provide a clear action plan for your website.

Understanding the March 2024 Core Update

• Google's War on Low-Quality Content: Google is serious about weeding out websites with thin, AI-generated, or unhelpful content. Outdated, keyword-stuffed pages will hurt, not help, your rankings.
• E-E-A-T: Your Key to Success: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T) is the new gold standard. Ensure your content is well-researched, has clear author credentials, and builds trust with your audience.
• Technical SEO Matters More Than Ever: A fast, mobile-friendly, easy-to-navigate website translates to better rankings. Google rewards sites that provide a great user experience.
• Quality Links Are Still Relevant: While backlinks are important, focus on earning them from reputable sites in your field. Avoid shortcuts – they're more likely to hurt than help in the long run.

How Was Your Site Affected?

• Check Your Visibility: Analyze the time around the update to see significant upswings or downswings in your website's search visibility.
• Track Traffic and Rankings: Dig into Google Analytics and Search Console to pinpoint specific changes in traffic, clicks, and where you rank for important keywords.
• Pinpoint the Problem: Look closely at which pages or sections of your site were most impacted. Consider device type, location, content type, and what your users were trying to do.
• Review Your Backlinks: It's essential to maintain a healthy backlink profile. Look for any questionable links pointing to your site that might need addressing.
  

Your SEO Action Plan

• Content is Your Crown Jewel: While metrics like clicks and impressions are important, conversions and cost-per-conversion directly impact your bottom line.
• Fix the Technical Stuff: Ensure your site loads quickly, works perfectly on mobile devices, and is easily navigated by users and search engines.
• User Experience (UX) is Everything: Analyze how people interact with your website. Are they quickly leaving? Do they struggle to find what they need? Make your site a joy to use.
• Build Links the Right Way: Focus on earning links naturally by creating valuable resources, guest posting on relevant sites, and building relationships within your niche.

Things to Remember

• SEO is a Marathon, Not a Sprint: Recovering from Google updates can take time. Stay focused on quality improvements, and you'll see results.
• Keep Learning: The SEO landscape is constantly changing. Follow reputable sources and experts to understand Google's latest priorities.

Let's Talk

Are you seeing changes in your website's performance after the March 2024 update? The Activate Digital Media team is here to help. We offer comprehensive SEO audits and personalized strategies to navigate updates and ensure your website's success. Contact us today.

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