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Google’s March 2024 Core Update was a jarring event for blogs and website owners that rely on organic search traffic. This significant algorithm change targeted low-quality content and AI-generated spam and led to the de-indexing of hundreds of websites in the early stages. The result was that severely affected websites lost valuable organic traffic and advertising revenue overnight.
The update coincided with the results of an Originality AI study that found a high prevalence of AI-generated content among deindexed websites. For 50% of affected sites, 90-100% of posts were generated by AI.
This action demonstrates Google’s commitment to improving the quality of search results and combating manipulative tactics such as AI content spam. But it also raises an important question: How can website owners significantly increase organic traffic in this new reality?
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Strategies to Increase Organic Traffic in 2024
With the March 2024 Core Update, website owners will need to adapt their strategies to regain lost ground and significantly increase organic traffic. Here are some focus areas:
1. Conduct a comprehensive content audit
The first step is to thoroughly analyze your content. Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to identify:
- Good performing articles but not in top search results (prioritize)
- Content that no longer works after the update
- Poor-performing content that never ranked well
You can strategize your optimization efforts by understanding which content assets are working and which need improvement.
2. Focus on your top-performing content that isn’t yet ranked #1 in searches
Double down on your strengths to quickly increase organic traffic. Find high volume, low competition keywords with difficulty less than 10 that rank between 2 and 8. These are more likely to receive the coveted highlight at the rich snippet position.
Related: The SEO Rules Are Changing – Here Are 5 Powerful Strategies to Help You Rank in 2024
3. Optimize for featured snippets
The featured results at position zero above the primary organic listings are called featured snippets. There are four main categories of them:
- Paragraph cutouts
- List snippets
- Table excerpts
- Video excerpts
4. To improve your website rankings and attract more featured snippets, it is important to adhere to current SEO best practices:
- Understand the intent of the query and customize the snippet format.
- Define your topic succinctly in two to three paragraph snippet sentences.
- Use objective, fact-based language and avoid personal pronouns.
- Structure content logically with the right heading tags.
- Write simply and use language your audience understands.
Above all, prioritize providing a great user experience over basic keyword optimization.
Google’s stance on AI-generated content
Although Google has not explicitly banned AI-generated content, the message is clear: quality, originality and user value come first. AI should be used as a supporting tool and not as a replacement for human expertise and creativity.
Matt G. Southern of Search Engine Journal aptly says, “Google isn’t waging war on AI; the fight is against mediocrity.” Responsible use of AI as a content creation tool is acceptable. Still, it must be paired with human insight, editing, and a commitment to providing truly valuable information to users. AI should be used as a supporting tool and not as a replacement for human expertise and creativity.
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The intelligent use of AI
While the update penalized sites for relying too heavily on AI content, Google’s focus has always been on originality, depth and reader value. The ethical use of AI as a research aid and writing co-pilot is acceptable as long as human editing ensures unique, high-quality content.
The future is for EEAT to advance – Google’s prioritization of Experience, Expertise, Authority and Trustworthiness (EEAT) will be critical. Establish your current authority by:
- Citing reputable sources.
- Prominently display authorial competence.
- Providing accurate, trustworthy information.
- Ensuring an optimal user experience through intelligent design.
Websites that focus solely on keyword optimization rather than holistic quality signals will increasingly fall behind.
The March 2024 Core Update ushered in a new era of search where quality, originality and authority reign supreme. You can significantly increase organic traffic in this new landscape by auditing your content, leveraging your strengths, and adhering to EEAT principles. The path ahead requires an unwavering commitment to creating an exceptional user experience through truly valuable content.