2024 brought significant changes to Google’s search algorithm, reshaping the SEO landscape. From core updates to spam policy enforcement, the updates carried a profound impact on website rankings and organic search performance. Businesses and marketers had to adapt swiftly to maintain visibility. Let’s delve into the specifics of these updates and their implications for SEO strategies in 2025.
Insights from Luciane Barbosa
Head of SEO
Luciane is a digital marketing veteran with 16 years’ experience specialising in comprehensive SEO strategies across global markets. She currently leads our SEO team driving organic growth for our ecommerce clients. Through innovative search optimisation techniques that combine technical expertise and data analysis, the team delivers measurable business impact in competitive markets.
Key takeaways
- Major algorithm activity: Google rolled out four core updates and three spam updates in 2024.
- March 2024 Core Update: The largest core update in Google’s history, targeting low-quality content.
- Spam Policies: Strengthened policies affected sites with spam-like behaviour, reinforcing content quality.
- Bug fixes and AI innovations: Issues like indexing bugs were addressed alongside the integration of AI-driven features.
- Adaptation is key: Businesses need robust SEO strategies to navigate volatility and maintain competitive rankings.
Overview of Google’s 2024 algorithm updates
In 2024, Google introduced seven confirmed algorithm updates, including four core updates and three spam updates. While the number was lower than 2023’s nine updates, the scale and impact of these changes were unparalleled.
Comparison to previous years:
- 2022: Ten updates, only two of which were core updates.
- 2023: Nine confirmed updates, including four core updates.
- 2024: Seven updates but featuring the largest core update to date.
These updates reflect Google’s focus on refining its search engine to prioritise user-centric, high-quality content.
Core updates breakdown
March 2024 core update
Launched on March 5 and rolling out over 45 days, this update was Google’s most extensive yet. It targeted multiple core systems to reduce low-quality, unoriginal content in search results by 45% compared to 2023.
Chris Nelson, Senior Staff Analyst from Google’s Search Quality team stated, “The March core update is more complex than usual, bringing unprecedented quality improvements.”
August 2024 core update
Starting on August 15 and concluding by September 3, this update addressed concerns from the 2023 helpful content update. It aimed to restore visibility for small and independent publishers, some of whom had faced significant challenges the previous year.
November 2024 Core Update
Running from November 11 to December 5, this update was less volatile than its predecessors but continued Google’s efforts to prioritise genuinely useful content over SEO-driven content.
December 2024 Core Update
This surprise update rolled out on December 12, just a week after the November update’s conclusion. It introduced refinements to different core systems and displayed higher volatility than November but less than March or August.
Spam Updates and Policies
March 2024 spam update
Coinciding with the March core update, this spam update addressed sites exploiting new spam tactics. Google’s stricter spam policies played a significant role in shaping search results.
June 2024 spam update
This update, running from June 30 to July 7, was a general spam update. It didn’t introduce automation for site reputation abuse but nonetheless, it was impactful.
December 2024 spam update
Spanning December 19 to December 26, this broad update applied globally. It addressed various spam tactics with substantial effect, particularly within its initial days.
Other noteworthy changes in 2024
Site reputation policy enforcement
Starting in May, Google began manual enforcement of its site reputation abuse policy. This affected several large and small sites, signaling Google’s commitment to maintaining trust in its ecosystem.
AI Overview
Google’s AI Overview saw major rollouts and updates in May and later months, despite controversies around harmful responses. These features aim to provide more intuitive and user-friendly search experiences.
Deepfake Detection
In July, Google introduced a deepfake detection algorithm, demonstrating its dedication to combating misinformation and maintaining content integrity.
Site-wide signal adjustments
In October, Google confirmed an algorithm targeting inconsistencies in site sections. This change refined the evaluation of site-wide signals.
SEO challenges and opportunities
Challenges
- Ranking volatility: Core updates, especially in March and August, caused significant fluctuations in rankings.
- Bug-related disruptions: Indexing bugs, such as the January weekend indexing glitch and August’s ranking bug, disrupted performance temporarily.
- Stricter spam policies: Sites employing aggressive tactics saw penalties.
Opportunities
- Emphasis on content quality: Google’s focus on quality content offers an advantage for businesses producing valuable, user-focused content.
- Technical SEO: Addressing site-wide inconsistencies and improving site reputation have become critical.
- Professional support: Collaborating with ecommerce SEO experts like our award-winning performance marketing team can help businesses adapt to these changes effectively.
Google updates FAQs
What were the most significant SEO impacts of Google’s 2024 updates?
The March core update’s crackdown on low-quality content and stricter spam policies significantly reshaped search rankings. Sites with original, valuable content benefited, while those relying on outdated or manipulative tactics faced challenges.
How can small businesses recover from penalties due to these updates?
Recovery involves auditing site content, improving its quality, and addressing technical SEO issues. Partnering with experts like Williams Commerce can expedite the process and ensure sustained improvement.
Why should businesses consider working with SEO experts?
SEO is complex and ever-changing. Our SEO team offers expertise in adapting to updates, improving site performance, and implementing best practices tailored to your business goals. We can help ensure long-term success in a competitive digital landscape.
Final notes
The 2024 Google updates reinforced the importance of quality, trust, and user-centric strategies. As search engine algorithms evolve, businesses must stay informed and agile. With changes ranging from AI integration to stricter spam policies, SEO success hinges on adapting promptly and strategically.
Work with our SEO experts
As specialists in ecommerce SEO, our certified team of digital marketing experts can work with you to provide tailored strategies to improve performance, drive traffic to your website and ensure your digital presence thrives amid algorithmic volatility. Contact us for a free SEO consultation.
