No longer can spammy behavior slip past the gates. The Google June 2024 Spam Update raises the bar yet again, demanding consistent authenticity and relevance from web owners. Your website may experience noticeable changes during its rollout period, so staying alert and understanding how each update may affect your rankings is essential.

Compared to previous updates this year, the latest update takes a targeted approach, focusing on refining spam detection methods without altering the entire ranking system. This blog covers Google’s latest efforts to combat spam, its impact, and best practices for continued compliance and successful recovery.

Overview of the Google June 2024 Spam Update

Google announced the release of the June 2024 update on June 20 via Search Central on Twitter. The rollout took a week and finished on June 27. The primary goal of this update is to target websites violating Google spam policies.

• Google did not mention what specific spammy behaviors are subject to penalties.
• Note that this isn’t a link spam update or part of the anticipated site reputation abuse update (which Google clarified is currently handled manually).

The June 2024 update aims to enhance the accuracy and effectiveness of Google’s spam filtering efforts, ultimately leading to better search quality. This way, users continue to get the finest, most relevant content the web has to offer.

Targeted Violations

Unfortunately, Google did not specify the types of violations targeted by this latest update. All we know for now is that websites engaging in spammy behavior may experience ranking fluctuations or penalties. To refresh your knowledge, let’s review the most common forms of spam.

• Hidden Redirects: Sending a visitor to a different page than the one they requested
• Cloaking Content: Showing different content to search engines and users
• Expired Domain Abuse: Purchasing an expired website and posting unrelated material to exploit its residual authority
• Keyword Stuffing: Filling a web page with irrelevant keywords or numbers to manipulate rankings 
• Hacking: Injecting malicious codes into a website due to its lack of security
• Doorway Pages: Creating irrelevant, low-quality pages to rank for specific queries
• Malware: Distributing unwanted software that harms user experience
• Automated Content: Machine-generated content aimed solely at improving search rankings
• Link Schemes: Selling or purchasing links intended to manipulate rankings
• Scraped Content: Content taken from other sites and republished without valuable contribution
• Thin, Duplicated, or Poor-Quality Content: Webpages lacking substantial information or depth

Impact on Search Rankings

Customer reviews enhance your CTR by demonstrating social proof. A high volume and rating of reviews on your listing encourage users to click and explore your brand, fostering trust.

Google’s Ongoing Efforts to Combat Spam

Google continues to strengthen its efforts to combat spam, enhance search quality, and provide great user experience. These are evident in the previous spam updates, which began in June 2021. Here’s a quick overview of the general spam updates and link spam updates throughout the years.

• June 2021 – spam update
• July 2021 – link spam update
• November 2021 – spam update
• October 2022 – spam update
• December 2022 – link spam update
• October 2023 – spam update
• March 2024 – spam update
• June 2024 – spam update

Over time, Google’s spam detection capabilities have evolved from basic, manual methods to advanced technologies, incorporating AI to better catch and eliminate new types of spam. One notable effort is SpamBrain. Google launched this system in 2018 and has successfully penalized a wide range of spammy practices in the evolving digital landscape since then.

Steps to Recover from the June 2024 Spam Update

If you experienced some drawbacks from the June 2024 spam update, don’t fret. We’ll guide you through various strategies to navigate Google spam, recover from its impact, and mitigate risks for future updates. 

Remove or update spammy content

Occasional oversights can happen. Even the most diligent individuals may miss a few details from time to time. This underscores the importance of regularly assessing your website for any content that may violate Google’s spam policies. 

Here are a few things to check your website for spam control.

• Unnatural inbound or outbound link
• Lack of anchor text variety
• Cloned content
• Content lacking depth
• Slow load times
• Not mobile-friendly
• Complex navigation

Adopt ethical SEO practices to avoid these things entirely and maintain sustainable rankings.

Ensure adherence to Google’s spam policies

Don’t wait for Google to penalize your content. Make proactive changes aligned with its guidelines to improve your site’s ranking over time. Always review Google’s spam policies and make necessary adjustments to ensure compliance.

For instance, you’re planning to distribute content across multiple platforms, and someone proposed only minor changes to all articles. Inform them about Google’s policies regarding duplicate content and the consequences of breaking the rules. Focus on creating unique variations for each platform and monitor performance to ensure compliance.

Monitor site performance post-recovery

Spam prevention is ongoing work. It should not stop after recovering from an update. Monitor your website’s performance and make data-driven adjustments when necessary. Implement compliant practices to ensure lower risks of penalties and long-term success in the search results.

Track all essential metrics, including bounce rate, clicks, time on page, backlink quality, conversion rates, keyword rankings, page speed, mobile responsiveness, and other relevant data.

Focus on creating high-quality content

Most importantly, craft unique, people-first, and high-quality content. Write about your target audience, validate their concerns, address their needs, and offer practical solutions. Doing so enhances user experience, leading to better engagement, customer trust, web traffic, and conversion rates.

Together, these factors enhance your credibility with Google, boosting your search ranking and establishing a solid foundation for sustainable growth.

Combating Digital Deception with Marketing Done Right

The Google June 2024 spam update is another reminder to focus on content quality over quantity. There’s nothing to gain from rushing your success with unethical practices. It will only damage your brand’s online presence and reputation, further delaying success.

Stay informed about Google’s updates by subscribing to their official announcements and adjusting your content accordingly. Should you need professional assistance, Marketing Done Right is here to help you start right.

We’re a team of digital marketers who specialize in crafting personalized strategies to navigate Google’s spam updates effectively. From thorough SEO to web design and development, we’re confident in keeping your online presence relevant and compliant.

Contact MDR today to learn more about our digital marketing services.