Summary:
- Google recently launched the June 2024 Spam Update on 20th June, 2024
- The rollout is expected to be completed within a week
- Google has stated this update to be a regular one
On 20th June, 2024, Google launched the latest spam update – the June 2024 spam update. This is a global update impacting all regions and languages.
The automated systems in Google continuously work on detecting spam and keeping it out of the search results. This update is mentioned as a “notable improvement” to how the automated systems detect search spam.
As per Google, it may take one week to complete. After the rollout is done, an update will be seen on the Search Status Dashboard.
While Google remains tight-lipped about the update – saying it’s just a normal update, Google’s Search Liaison had something to say. This spam update is not officially part of the “site reputation abuse algorithmically”.
Instead, Google associated this update with the standard spam update.
Google’s spam updates and policies
Google has always made significant efforts to reduce spammy content in search results.
Hence, spam updates from Google target websites that do not comply with the spam policies.
These policies are –
- Expired domain abuse
- Scaled content abuse
- Site reputation abuse
Apart from the above-mentioned policies, Google also follows other rules to check low-quality and spammy content.
The Last Spam Update from Google
The last spam update from Google came on 5th March, 2024. Known as the March 2024 spam update, it was completed on 20th March, 2024.
Does this spam update have any impact on search results?
While it is unclear what spam the update targets, changes in the ranking might still occur. Experience states that even if this is a regular spam update, it has the potential to impact legitimate sites.
Google most likely intends to make its spam detection abilities even better. So, some fluctuations in search rankings might occur.
Besides, websites that violate spam policies outlined by Google might face a sharp decline in visibility and rankings in the search engine. Less competition from these websites might mean good luck for the legit ones in the search results.
How to recover from the spam update?
If you were hit by this spam update or negatively impacted, Google suggests reviewing its spam policies to ensure the websites are complying with them.
Wondering how to know if you have been hit by the spam update? Here are a few signs –
- If you have experienced a significant decrease in your website’s ranking in search results, especially after June 20th, 2024.
- If there has been a drop in organic traffic, it could mean that the spam update has impacted the website.
- If you notice noticeable changes in clicks and impressions, it could indicate a potential issue due to the update.
While Google Search Console won’t explicitly state if a specific update impacted your site, it can show changes in the data.
Besides, the spam removal team from Google alerts the creator when manual action is taken for violating webmaster guidelines. After the problem is handled or resolved, creators can submit reconsideration requests.
To recover the website, you need to ensure that none of Google’s spam policies are violated.
Here are some tips to follow –
- Refrain from automatically generating content to rank higher in the search results
- No buying or selling links to manipulate the rankings
- Optimizing the content of the website
- Do not use hidden texts or links