Google March 2024 Core Update Released: bigger than before!

[thomaste]

Have anybody seen any improvements from disavowing Old links?

 

[DarkLordzz]

Core update still not completed.
Rankings still are crap, social media sites still ranking.

Are any of you guys still posting content and seeing any of the keywords rank during this time?

 

[kolanut]

my impressions are still in the 40-50s, used to be 300+ minimum.

I still don’t know if my site was penalized due to the update because I have some pages that are still ranking. One is in #5. It’s been in the position for as long as I can remember, ofc now Reddit is ranking higher; on #2.

I’m thinking of revamping and updating my articles and see what happens, it could be that I was penalized for writing pretty much about the same topic or something coz they were all human-written.

On the other hand, a new health niche site I built a month ago purely on AI + human editing is ranking pretty well and has made 5usd so far. I used expired domain too.

 

[Zooker]

Have anybody seen any improvements from disavowing Old links?

I just saw that I had like 300 of those -k.html links and while they have been out there for quite a while and i don't think those suddenly created an issue i disavowed them anyways. that was only 2-3 days ago and so far no real change.

It's still odd that I see parasite pages that are easily 100% AI rank ok but Google is burning the small sites under the magnifying glass here for even a little. There is still a missing piece of the puzzle here.

 

[madmax22]

I just saw that I had like 300 of those -k.html links and while they have been out there for quite a while and i don't think those suddenly created an issue i disavowed them anyways. that was only 2-3 days ago and so far no real change.

If those links were having a negative impact on your website and you just disavowed them, you are not going to see anything as far as changes until they are re crawled by google which may take some time.

 

[ISECHOST]

- F_K- from hero to zero . no recovery . Niche- Adult

 

[praetserge]

Have anybody seen any improvements from disavowing Old links?

Disavowing has always been useless...

Core update still not completed.
Rankings still are crap, social media sites still ranking.

Are any of you guys still posting content and seeing any of the keywords rank during this time?

Why wouldn't I post content? Keep doing what you can... smart people ignore google updates.

I just saw that I had like 300 of those -k.html links and while they have been out there for quite a while and i don't think those suddenly created an issue i disavowed them anyways. that was only 2-3 days ago and so far no real change.

It's still odd that I see parasite pages that are easily 100% AI rank ok but Google is burning the small sites under the magnifying glass here for even a little. There is still a missing piece of the puzzle here.

Everybody gets those stupid -k links so google would have to penalise everybody... I've been ignoring those links for sometime.

 

[madmax22]

Disavowing has always been useless...

I thought this as well. After one of our sites that was pulling in $20k/month got hit last year, we went through the on page and technical seo with a fine toothed comb, tried everything to recover it. The only thing that was left to do was look at the link profile. After removing obvious pbn links, low level shit hosted content links, and most of the low authority and low traffic sites linking to us the site came back 6 weeks later. so... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Maybe we got lucky, take from it what you will.

Everybody gets those stupid -k links so google would have to penalise everybody... I've been ignoring those links for sometime.

We pretty much disavow any garbage links that we don't make happen ourselves, just out of habit. Maybe it is a waste of time to do it, but when it comes to sites finally cash flowing for us, im not taking any chances. Most of the sites we run are actual business websites and or ecommerce. We havent fucked with affilate/content sites for years, not worth our time.

 

[DanDanger]

We are 1 month since the start of Googles SEO Apocalypse core update.

I have been running multiple experiments on a number of different sites. 5+ sites per experiment and not doing anything else to the sites. Experiments have been based on the suspicion my sites got wiped due to thin or automated content, and have revolved around different ideas on what to do with the offending content.

All experiments have so far failed with zero recovery of any site. Not even removing the content has fixed the sites or seen it recover in rankings. Google is aware the content has been removed as 404's have increased dramatically in GSC.

Either... sites have been killed for another reason, or the shadow ban given by Google is permanent regardless of any cleanup.

Next we are moving on to disavowing virtually all backlinks. As our suspicion now is perhaps the shadow ban is due to BHW link campaigns.

Google says bad backlinks won't negatively effect you... but we all know Google is pure BS.


In the mean time, we launched 3 new sites, all with our upgraded AI content and only 1 backlink, and 1 of them ranked on page 3 within a week and has already generated sales. Go figure.

Some analysis on sites that are now out ranking us, have shown they are achieving insane results in decent niches with literally 3 backlinks (high DR guestpost).


The backlink game has changed. Spamming web2.0's and link pyramids served us well in the past. But it's game over for that now and the chickens have come home.

Quality over quantity. Legitimate high DR links only.
I fear for BHW link sellers, especially with Googles planned summer update targeting links.

 

[Professor Cat]

Exactly... We know the real motive of Google and their 'updates'.

Even when I read some of the posts, they still give advice like "rewrite your content", "make your content more helpful", or "give more backlinks"... These people obviously don't know how HCU works. Even if they are naive, they don't even know Google's guidelines (but you and me know it is BS).

Worst of all? Many still think Google is all good and 'cares' for users. lol
They need some good lessons and scolding from AngleGrinderBrah and the other folks at roundtable.

P.S: @DanDanger My posts weren't referring to you.

lol you still on SEO , FYI is dead this is how Google update indirectly telling you all the time. There is a thing which BHW bros will not tell u lol is not SEO we don’t tell those trying to act smart on SEO.

 

[AliceInSEOLand]

We are 1 month since the start of Googles SEO Apocalypse core update.

I have been running multiple experiments on a number of different sites. 5+ sites per experiment and not doing anything else to the sites. Experiments have been based on the suspicion my sites got wiped due to thin or automated content, and have revolved around different ideas on what to do with the offending content.

All experiments have so far failed with zero recovery of any site. Not even removing the content has fixed the sites or seen it recover in rankings. Google is aware the content has been removed as 404's have increased dramatically in GSC.

Either... sites have been killed for another reason, or the shadow ban given by Google is permanent regardless of any cleanup.

Next we are moving on to disavowing virtually all backlinks. As our suspicion now is perhaps the shadow ban is due to BHW link campaigns.

Google says bad backlinks won't negatively effect you... but we all know Google is pure BS.


In the mean time, we launched 3 new sites, all with our upgraded AI content and only 1 backlink, and 1 of them ranked on page 3 within a week and has already generated sales. Go figure.

Some analysis on sites that are now out ranking us, have shown they are achieving insane results in decent niches with literally 3 backlinks (high DR guestpost).


The backlink game has changed. Spamming web2.0's and link pyramids served us well in the past. But it's game over for that now and the chickens have come home.

Quality over quantity. Legitimate high DR links only.
I fear for BHW link sellers, especially with Googles planned summer update targeting links.

Great share and thanks for sharing your hard work and observation.

But there's one thing you need to know about the HCU algorthimic penalty... once your site is flagged as "unhelpful" you can never get it out. That is why so far we have not seen any successful stories of recovery. And the worse of all: the penalty is sitewide penalty... so as long as the algorithm happens to scan pages that they deem as unhelpful your site is classified as unhelpful and you're hit.

Think of it as the website got into Google's sandbox... but it is a penalty instead of a temporary effect. No matter how many backlinks (even premium good ones) you blast to it or edit the content and add more info... you will never get out. Again, many whom were hit during 2023 Sep HCU already tried that.


Google has now claimed that they've went easy on this and have changed the penalty from sitewide to page-only. But I think that's a lie because if it is really the case we would see recoveries now

 

[Rojoni]

Couldn't start before it got hit by Google's update

 

[DanDanger]

Google has now claimed that they've went easy on this and have changed the penalty from sitewide to page-only. But I think that's a lie because if it is really the case we would see recoveries now

It is 100% sitewide penalty.

Where are you reading Googles comments on the penalties? I've only seen updates from SEO "experts" who say all algorithmic penalties are reversable by addressing the core issue.

 

[AliceInSEOLand]

It is 100% sitewide penalty.

Where are you reading Googles comments on the penalties? I've only seen updates from SEO "experts" who say all algorithmic penalties are reversable by addressing the core issue.

SERoundTable.com. The owner, Barry, covers a lot of interesting SEO topics and even ask questions. The readers there also engage in constructive discussion in the comment section. I believe you will make a valuable friend over there with the rest of us.


Note: not my site and not affiliated to it.

 

[Carolus Rex]

We are 1 month since the start of Googles SEO Apocalypse core update.

I have been running multiple experiments on a number of different sites. 5+ sites per experiment and not doing anything else to the sites. Experiments have been based on the suspicion my sites got wiped due to thin or automated content, and have revolved around different ideas on what to do with the offending content.

All experiments have so far failed with zero recovery of any site. Not even removing the content has fixed the sites or seen it recover in rankings. Google is aware the content has been removed as 404's have increased dramatically in GSC.

Either... sites have been killed for another reason, or the shadow ban given by Google is permanent regardless of any cleanup.

Next we are moving on to disavowing virtually all backlinks. As our suspicion now is perhaps the shadow ban is due to BHW link campaigns.

Google says bad backlinks won't negatively effect you... but we all know Google is pure BS.


In the mean time, we launched 3 new sites, all with our upgraded AI content and only 1 backlink, and 1 of them ranked on page 3 within a week and has already generated sales. Go figure.

Some analysis on sites that are now out ranking us, have shown they are achieving insane results in decent niches with literally 3 backlinks (high DR guestpost).


The backlink game has changed. Spamming web2.0's and link pyramids served us well in the past. But it's game over for that now and the chickens have come home.

Quality over quantity. Legitimate high DR links only.
I fear for BHW link sellers, especially with Googles planned summer update targeting links.

That's what I was fearing, that there would be no recoveries whatever we do to the site/content. People say you have to wait until the next core update for the changes to take effect but I don't know, maybe one of your sites will recover next time.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of websites do you build? You're talking about sales, is it eCommerce or are you selling digital products by ranking landing pages? Or is it service based businesses that you work with?

 

[lunapt]

Meanwhile bestreviews.guide is still going strong. Hate it

 

[Zooker]

We are 1 month since the start of Googles SEO Apocalypse core update.

I have been running multiple experiments on a number of different sites. 5+ sites per experiment and not doing anything else to the sites. Experiments have been based on the suspicion my sites got wiped due to thin or automated content, and have revolved around different ideas on what to do with the offending content.

All experiments have so far failed with zero recovery of any site. Not even removing the content has fixed the sites or seen it recover in rankings. Google is aware the content has been removed as 404's have increased dramatically in GSC.

Either... sites have been killed for another reason, or the shadow ban given by Google is permanent regardless of any cleanup.

Next we are moving on to disavowing virtually all backlinks. As our suspicion now is perhaps the shadow ban is due to BHW link campaigns.

Google says bad backlinks won't negatively effect you... but we all know Google is pure BS.


In the mean time, we launched 3 new sites, all with our upgraded AI content and only 1 backlink, and 1 of them ranked on page 3 within a week and has already generated sales. Go figure.

Some analysis on sites that are now out ranking us, have shown they are achieving insane results in decent niches with literally 3 backlinks (high DR guestpost).


The backlink game has changed. Spamming web2.0's and link pyramids served us well in the past. But it's game over for that now and the chickens have come home.

Quality over quantity. Legitimate high DR links only.
I fear for BHW link sellers, especially with Googles planned summer update targeting links.

Nice update there. I have been doing something similar. At the time the update hit I had one site that had about 1/3 of the content that was clearly AI on the detectors (though it read fine) and about 1/3 with AI that detectors were showing at 90%+ human. Within a few days I made all the AI content very human AI. Not much difference.

Then I removed all content that wasn't 100% human written. That was like 5 days ago and I'm going to let it simmer another week or so. The few keywords that are ranking in the first few pages may just now be doing a little better but not back to their original location before the previous HCU update. The other keywords are still not remotely ranking and those pages are human content so that implies a site-wide hit took hits in both HCUs. It seems to only be an algorithmic penalty.

I just wonder was the content the issue since it was actually pretty decent and far better than some of the stuff I still see ranking from other sites. Outside of some AI-assisted content I had nothing shady going on and the only links it's had in the past were web 2.0 ones I created myself. I did disavow the spam links but that's nothing new and I don't expect any change but I'm trying to test it like you are to find the real reason. However, the one site doesn't really have much in the way of recent backlinks.

Do you think the newer sites you launched have that "new site boost" that you can get sometimes before Google slaps them? Are those new sites you created more like the affiliate-type informational/recommendations site or do they have an ecommerce-type feel?

I can't help but wonder if it's not AI-related then what does Google care much more about that is lacking since my one site that got hit is basically whitehat except for some AI help.

 

[phone unlockers]

It's time to talk about April's updates...
I'm waiting for you

 

[RogueDreamer]

Here we go again. A lot of crap. Ignoring is the only way.

 

[AliceInSEOLand]

It's time to talk about April's updates...
I'm waiting for you

The next one is believe to happen on May 2024, probably 5th May. Google has announced that the update will takedown parasite SEOs (i.e: sponsored content, spam sites, parasite pages, etc).

However, as many of us here and elsewhere knows, it is probably overhyped and overpromised BS. Since 2022, Google updates have continued to be disappointing and all bark but no bite.