Nobody likes spam. Whether it’s flooding your email inbox or polluting your search results, spam is an annoyance we all wish would disappear. Thankfully, search engine giant Google is constantly working behind the scenes to combat spam and ensure that its search results are of the highest quality.
Throughout autumn and winter 2022, Google made a number of key spam updates, which for some companies means they’ll have to update their content marketing game, but it’ll also change the landscape of SEO for everyone involved.
Hearing of a new search engine update can be daunting if you spend a lot of time, effort and money on your content marketing – and it can be something to consider for every business with a website and an online presence. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Google’s spam updates and explore what they mean for your SEO strategy.
What are “spam updates?”
Imagine Google’s spam updates as a vigilant bouncer outside a popular nightclub. Their mission is to keep the party clean and enjoyable for everyone. Just like the bouncer, Google’s updates work to weed out the bad actors—the low-quality sites that deceive users, engage in phishing scams, or distribute malware. By targeting these spammy sites, Google aims to create a safer and more trustworthy online environment for all users.
In the ever-evolving landscape of search engine optimisation (SEO), “spam updates” are Google’s ongoing efforts to combat spam and maintain the quality of search results. These updates involve making notable improvements to Google’s automated systems that detect and eliminate spam from search engine rankings, most notably their AI spam-prevention system, SpamBrain.
But here’s the exciting part: spam updates aren’t just about punishing the bad guys. They’re also about championing the good guys! Google wants to create a level playing field where legitimate websites, like yours, have a fair chance to shine. These updates aim to protect your website from being unfairly outranked by those who use manipulative tactics.
What does this mean for my SEO?
While we can’t say what the changes are, or even how Google’s algorithm works as a whole, we can say with confidence that for most businesses, Google’s spam updates won’t affect them massively. Google makes these updates to gradually level the SEO landscape, and penalise the minority of sites that use spam to enhance their search rankings.
However, it’s always good practice to make sure you’re on the good side of Google, and using content marketing in a way that is respectable and helpful for your target audience. According to a 2018 study by HubSpot, websites that publish informative and relevant content receive 67% more leads than those who neglect their content strategy.
The most important factor in staying ahead of Google’s spam updates and ensuring your content helps you to rank is following Google’s Search Essentials. These guidelines emphasise the importance of valuable and engaging content, and give helpful info on how to use content marketing in a way that is beneficial both to your target audience and your business. This means producing content that is both interesting and helpful to your target audience, not just filler content that is pumped full of keywords.
Fortifying your website’s defences is also essential in the battle against spam. Protect your website from potential hacking attempts and malicious activities. Use secure passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and keep your software and plugins up to date. By doing so, you’ll prevent your website from unwittingly distributing spam and maintain a safe online environment. Making sure your site is secure and has the right precautions in place will let Google’s algorithm know you’re not a malicious site.
Finally, diversification is your secret weapon. Don’t rely solely on organic search traffic. Invest in social media marketing, email campaigns, and paid advertising to diversify your traffic sources. According to Statista, social media advertising spending is expected to reach $207 billion in 2023. So, expand your reach, engage with your audience on multiple platforms, and build a solid online presence beyond search engine rankings – there’s no predicting what changes Google will make to their algorithm, so keeping your eggs in multiple baskets is the smartest move.
Worried Google’s spam updates might affect your SEO? Elevate your SEO strategy with LS Media & Marketing. Our seasoned experts understand the impact of spam updates on your website’s performance. We’ll work closely with you to develop a tailored approach, from audits to content optimisation and strategic keyword research, to maximise visibility while staying ahead of algorithm changes. Contact us today to find out how we can keep your website ahead of the SEO curve.
