google december 2024 spam update

This update builds on the March 2024 core update, which focused on policy-violating sites and aimed to decrease unhelpful content by 40%.

Google has been working overtime in recent years, trying to fight back against spam content and spam websites. This has become urgent as it is becoming easier to pump out content and websites, with the help of AI. (source)

What we should be aware of

This update is the 7th Google search algorithm update in 2024. It took many by surprise as this came only 1 day after the December 2024 core update. Included in these seven updates are four core updates, and three spam updates. It is still not clear what kind of spam this update targets, but keep in mind, if you see any changes in ranking, this might be related to the update.

Observations about Google december 2024 spam update

While still early, and it is unclear what the full impact of the Google December 2024 spam update is, many field observations have already been made. This update seems to have a widespread effect, as website owners have reported rankings drop within a few days in Google Search Console. 

Be aware of the seasonal nature of traffic, as the update ruled out in the holiday season, and as fluctuations in traffic may not only be due to changes in the algorithm. Instead of looking at traffic, website owners should compare their rankings before and after the update, to have a clearer picture of the effect.

How is this update different from previous spam updates?

Google releases spam updates throughout the year, each targeting different aspects of spam. The previous spam update, June 2024 spam update, did not specifically address link spam. Similar to the December update, the focus was also to remove spammy content and improve the search quality. 

What separates the two updates, is the December 2024 spam update came right after a google core update, making it challenging for website owners to know whether the changes in ranking was due to spam, or just algorithm adjustments. Also in the December spam update Google did not make new enforcement mechanisms for site reputation abuse. (source)

What to do if you are affected by Google December 2024 spam update

If your website was affected negatively following the Google December 2024 spam update, it is important to act accordingly, below are some recommendations:

1. Review Google’s Spam Policies
   Google gives clear guidelines on what constitutes spammy behavior. Here are some key take-aways to focus on.

• Thin content: If a page has no value, it should be improved or removed.
• AI Content: Content created with AI, to manipulate search engines and not for users to read, should be avoided.
• Non relevant content: A page’s content should be relevant to the main subject 
• Misleading structured data: Markup should accurately reflect the content presented to users.

1. Monitor Rankings in Google Search Console
   Website owners should rely on Google Search Console to track keyword rankings rather than focusing on overall traffic. By comparing rankings before and after the update, they can determine whether rank fluctuations come from spam-related penalties.
2. Improve Content Quality
   The most effective way to recover from a spam update is to update content quality. Website owners should ensure all pages are based on research and useful for the reader. Content should be informative, well-structured, and engaging for users.
3. Address Technical SEO Issues
   Page speed, structured data, and mobile-friendliness can impact a site’s ranking. To check on your technical issue situation, running a site audit can help to identify weaknesses that lead to ranking losses.