The Google Spam Update Is Done And It Was A Bloodbath For Some

Editor Note: As you might have noticed we've moved to Ghost. Please bear with us as we go through the migration.

Google's March spam update has finished. And for some it was a complete bloodbath and for others not so much.

The social media platforms were a flutter this month documenting how some sites that relied too heavily on artificial intelligence for content took the biggest blow. Some even were deindexed.

This being said, I'm not against using AI to help you write your copy for your site, but for crying out loud, just use AI as a starting point. Then expound upon what it gives you and make it your own.

I feel like I'm beating a dead horse here, but I still see people bragging about how they used AI to write their whole site and didn't do much to change anything — you know who you are😉. This is risky at the minimum and to be quite frank, STUPID😜.

AI can be a time saver, but only if it doesn't create more work and a headache later down the line.

This past month I heard all over social media about sites getting manual actions placed on their site. A manual action is when an actual human dings your site because it was in violation of Google's guidelines. So, in this case the machines can't be blamed for the decrease in rankings or deindexing.

Over the 50+ sites that I'm monitoring, some of which I'm actively involved in the SEO, didn't get hit. You know why? They are writing original content and only using AI as a tool, not a replacement for the human writer!

In the end, figuring out what piece of content got you in trouble is going to be the key to get yourself back in Google's good graces. The problem is that many of these alerts from Google haven't be specific or helpful. So here's a little pour out of my beer for anyone who has to figure it out. God Speed. You'll need it.

Were you hit by the Google spam update? What happened, hit reply and let me know the details.

The Latest From Entrepreneur's Enigma

https://gmwd.us/don

Don's a local Startup celebrity, he is one of the organizers/head mentors of the Founder Institute Keystone Chapter. I've very active with FI Keystone. It's a great organization.

Web Jawn

• Deadspin Is Becoming a Gambling Referral Site
  Some good investigative reporting from the folks at 404 Media. The once well-known sports commentary site was sold and is now turned to a junk referral site for gambling. This is a shame on many sides. From the journalism side... seeing another industry publication get sold off and the employees fired sucks. Then to add salt to the wound, the buyer turns the site into junk, which hurts my internet brain. 😡
• Reddit goes public
  We knew it was going to happen eventually. Casey has some great insights on whether or not it was a good move and if it's going to go the distance. It is kind of cool, but not enough to redeem them, that they are giving their most loyal users options to buy stock.
• How AI companies are reckoning with elections
  This is certainly going to be an interesting year with AI an the elections in the US happening.
• DoorDash begins piloting drone deliveries in the US
  Can you imagine drones flying around with food right above your head? Not sure how I feel about this. What if it drop meatballs from 100ft on my head? Do I now have to continue to be aware of what's above?🤣
• Google DeepMind co-founder joins Microsoft as CEO of its new AI division
  This is an interesting move. It looks like Microsoft is hedging its bets and deciding to not rely on OpenAI for everything going into the future.
• OpenAI to launch more powerful AI model GPT-5 in a few months: Report
  GPT 5! Man, things are progressing at warp speed!
• Threads Tests Side-Swiping UI To Indicate Interest in Posts Displayed In-Feed
  Interesting. Clearly taking a cue from dating apps. This is probably a better use for the swipe.
• Google Adds Social Media Posts to Business Listings
  This is going to make GMB listings more sticky and valuable I think. But make sure you tell Google what your official accounts are or it might "find them" for you.
• Pokes Are Back on Facebook (Sort Of)
  Oh great! Just what we need. 😒😜
• X Cancels Content Deal with Don Lemon as Musk Continues To Censor Content He Doesn’t Like
  So much for Musk being a supporter of free speech. 😜
• Meta previews ‘fediverse sharing’ for Threads
  It's happening and to be honest I'm excited. There are so many people on Threads that I want to follow, but I can't stand the Threads interface one bit.
• Justice Department files antitrust lawsuit against Apple over its infamous 'walled garden'
  Apple is finally getting hit where it hurts here at home.
• The case against the TikTok ban bill
  An interesting take on why TikTok shouldn't be banned in the US.
• How to Have a Healthier Relationship With Your Phone
  Good guide from the NYT.
• The Rise of Podcast Advertising
  A great post on getting the most out of advertising on podcasts.
• 14 Local Search Developments You Need to Know About From Q1 2024
  Local search is constantly changing this is something you absolutely need to keep ahead of. Here are 14 developments we need to know from Q1.
• Elon Musk's X Is Suspending Accounts That Reveal a Neo-Nazi Cartoonist's Alleged Identity
  If you didn't have enough of a reason to leave Twitter. Also why are journalist still on that cesspool of a platform? 😡
• Instagram Updates Hashtag Search To Broaden Discovery
  More discovery is always a good thing. And Instagram is clearly take it seriously! 👍
• How to block Threads on Mastodon
  A good tutorial on how to block Threads from federating with you Mastodon instance.

Web Find

The Fediverse Report is a great newsletter/site that covers all things going on in the Fediverse!

Podcast Suggestion

Hard Fork is a tech podcast from the New York Times and Platformer. Kevin Roose and Casey Newton, hash out the latest news. Great discussions ensue and it's an enjoyable hour-long podcast. Check out here.

That's It For This Week! Keep Rocking It!

-Seth

Connect with me online: https://shrtn.vip/sgid