Google’s Algorithm Updates – What You Need to Know About the March 2024 Update and Website Traffic
we know how important it is for businesses to stay ahead of the game when it comes to search engine visibility. One of the most significant ways Google shapes the online landscape is through its regular algorithm updates. These updates can make or break search rankings—and in turn, dramatically affect website traffic. The most recent core update, rolled out in March 2024, brought with it some substantial changes that have already had a ripple effect across countless industries.
So, what exactly changed—and what does it mean for your website?
A Quick Recap: What Is a Google Core Update?
Google’s algorithm updates are designed to improve the relevance and quality of search results. Core updates, in particular, are broad changes that refine how Google assesses content quality, user intent, and the authority of a website. These updates typically occur several times a year and are part of Google’s ongoing mission to ensure users get the most helpful and reliable information.
While Google doesn’t usually share the fine details of its updates, it does advise site owners to focus on creating high-quality, people-first content.
The March 2024 Update – What We Know
The March 2024 core update was one of the most significant algorithm changes in recent years. According to official commentary from Google and the SEO community’s analysis, this update placed even more emphasis on content originality, author transparency, and domain authority. So with Google’s Algorithm Updates – What You Need to Know:
Key focus areas included:
Promoting helpful content that answers user queries in a clear and credible manner.
Deprioritising content farms and over-optimised affiliate sites, especially those using black-hat tactics or clickbait headlines.
Several large sites saw major ranking fluctuations—some losing visibility virtually overnight. Sites with thin content, keyword stuffing, or outdated optimisation techniques took the hardest hits.
How This Affects Your Website Traffic
The impact of a core update can vary depending on your site’s structure, content quality, and optimisation practices. You might see:
A sudden drop (or spike) in organic traffic.
Ranking volatility for high-performing keywords.
Changes in how Google crawls and indexes your pages.
For small business websites, this can be especially frustrating—particularly if you’ve invested time and resources into building up your content. But the key takeaway is this: Google’s updates are designed to reward genuine quality. If your site follows best practices, there’s no reason to fear an update—rather, it could even boost your visibility.
What You Should Do Now
If your site has been affected—or if you want to avoid being hit by future updates—here are a few practical tips:
Audit your content regularly – Check that your pages are informative, original, and written with your users in mind.
Focus on E-E-A-T – That stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust. Make sure your content clearly demonstrates who wrote it and why they’re credible.
Review your SEO strategy – Avoid keyword stuffing, duplicated meta content, or low-value backlinks. Instead, aim for natural optimisation that puts the user experience first.
Improve technical health – Fast load speeds, mobile responsiveness, and clean site architecture are all ranking factors.
Most Importantly – Update older content – Pages that haven’t been refreshed in years may start to slip. Updating facts, images, and structure can help retain relevance.
Looking Ahead
Google’s algorithm will continue to evolve, and as a result, so should your website. At Expressive Design, we monitor these trends closely, helping our clients adjust strategies and maintain strong performance in search rankings. If you’re unsure how the latest updates may have impacted your site—or if you’ve seen a sudden dip in traffic—feel free to get in touch. We’re here to help you navigate the ever-changing world of SEO with confidence.
Post by Expressive Design – Specialists in SEO, web design, and digital strategy.
