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Is Google out to get you? As a small-to-medium-sized business (SMB), it can certainly feel that way. Their constant algorithm changes are like digital earthquakes, shaking up search rankings and making it a struggle to stay visible. The March 2024 Core Update was a particularly nasty tremor. We know because we at GoVets got hit a couple of years ago and it took two long years to recover.
Google doesn't tell anyone what they're going to do ahead of time, forcing us all to scramble, analyze, and adapt. That's why we closely track these updates. But with so much confusing information out there, it's tough to figure out what you should actually be doing to protect your business from the next algorithmic fallout.
Let's break down the Google March 2024 Update, what it means for your business, and how to future-proof your website.
The focus of this content update? Google's relentless hunt for quality, relevant, and genuinely helpful content. As David Victor of Boomcycle Digital Marketing notes, "The March 2024 Google Core Update is a tool to make our online searches better...aiming to show more useful and relevant content in search results. "(2024) This means thin, low-value, or AI-generated content designed only for search engine rankings is getting ruthlessly penalized.
Google has also adjusted how it evaluates links, putting less emphasis on them as a primary ranking signal (Tim Soulo, Search Engine Journal, 2024). This means old-school tactics like link farms and spammy link building are even more harmful now.
Here's the deal: We can't outsmart Google. They want websites that are genuinely helpful, trustworthy, and focused on their users. The best strategy isn't chasing after every tiny algorithm shift, but rather investing in the kind of content practices Google consistently rewards:
As Marc Bernard, President of GoVets, wisely puts it, "As a small to medium-sized business, it's challenging to always stay up to date with Google policies. So, the one thing I can recommend is to try to be as authentic as possible and don't be afraid to be vulnerable to show your customers who you are, your ups and downs, etc. Customers want to shop from a real person that they can trust..."
This focus on authenticity and genuine connection is more crucial than ever. When you share your struggles, your passions, and your real-world experiences, you become relatable and build the kind of trust that algorithms can't measure.
Let's dive deeper into some specific questions to give you the answers you need:
Google's algorithm changes can feel like a constant battle. But remember, they ultimately aim to improve search results for everyone, including your ideal customers. As Google emphasizes, "[This] update involves refining some of our core ranking systems to help us better understand if webpages are unhelpful, have a poor user experience or feel like they were created for search engines instead of people." (Elizabeth Tucker, Google Blog, 2024)
So, don't fear! By investing in quality content, embracing authenticity (as Marc Bernard so wisely advised), and following best practices, your SMB can weather any algorithm storm and emerge stronger.
