Understanding Google’s SGE and March 2024 Core Update: What You Need to Know

With more industries aligning themselves with digital advancements, and competition continuing to ramp up, maintaining your business’s online visibility is more crucial than ever.

But, with algorithms changing and SEO best practices evolving by the day, it can be hard to keep up.

And just when you thought you’d gotten it all figured out, Google announces its Search Generative Experience (SGE) and its March 2024 core update.

But are these really something your business needs to concern itself with? Our team is here to help you find out!

What Was Google’s March 2024 Core Update?

The March 2024 core update is one of the most significant changes to Google’s algorithm in over a decade. This update aims to improve the quality of search results by targeting low-quality and AI-generated content.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Deindexing of low-quality and AI-generated content: Google has deindexed hundreds of websites that rely on thin, unoriginal, or AI-generated content. This move significantly impacts sites that previously set out to manipulate search engine rankings, rather than developing sustainable strategies to boost organic traffic and drive ad revenue.
• Enhanced spam policies: A new policy against spam now reduces scaled content abuse and site reputation abuse. This further ensures search results prioritize original, relevant, and valuable content.
• Emphasis on E-E-A-T: Google now places a higher emphasis on principles like Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (or E-E-A-T) to rank content. This means websites demonstrating deep knowledge, expert opinions, and true trustworthiness are now favored by search engines.
• Quality content and a positive user experience: Google now rewards high-quality, user-centric content, as well as improved site speed, mobile-friendliness, and navigation. To make the most of this, it’s recommended that site owners focus on creating content that enhances the user experience, frequently testing the functionality and accessibility of web pages to maintain good search rankings.

Tip: Consistently create high-quality content to demonstrate your website’s authority. Focus on blog posts that answer common queries, using thorough keyword research to guide your topics. Such content not only meets Google’s E-E-A-T standards, it’ll also help attract more organic traffic.

What Is Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE)?

Alongside their latest algorithm update, Google has also been working behind the scenes to incorporate generative AI into the search process to offer more relevant and context-aware results.

That’s right. To combat low quality, AI-generated content — Google is… using AI-generated content themselves. But don’t worry, they’re using it strategically (or so they say!).

Google’s SGE essentially uses AI to generate snapshots that provide comprehensive overviews directly within search results. This new feature pushes traditional blue links and sponsored ads further down the page, which significantly impacts organic traffic for top-ranking sites.

Is SGE widely available?

As of June 2024, SGE is still in its testing phase. That said, it is already operating in 120 countries and in seven languages. It just doesn’t work for all search queries.

Also, while previously users needed to “opt in” to Google Labs to use the feature, Google recently announced that they were beginning to show some SGE results to a limited number of users who haven’t activated the feature.

Were you one of the chosen few? If not, there’ll likely be more updates coming soon, so keep an eye out!

How Does Google’s SGE Work?

In short, SGE allows users to ask more complex and descriptive questions than ever by providing a “synthesized” overview of topics from several sources. Links to further information and resources are also provided. This feature enhances user interaction with search results by offering quick but more well-rounded insights, and facilitating easier follow-ups.

For example:

• Complex and descriptive queries: SGE is designed to handle more detailed queries and respond with a synthesized perspective, providing a more comprehensive answer to complex queries.
• Verticals like shopping and local searches: Particularly useful for shopping and local searches, SGE can provide product summaries with reviews and prices, enhancing shopping and local searches.
• High-impact queries: Google prioritizes high-impact queries, especially those related to health and finance, ensuring reliable results across a range of critical topics.
• Click-to-generate functionality: For some queries, users need to click a “Generate” button to see SGE results, giving them control over how they wish to generate results for specific queries.

Tip: Don’t forget to analyze search bar data to better understand user queries and even guide areas like blog post topics. By creating helpful, detailed content addressing these queries, you can enhance user engagement and establish yourself as an authority in your industry. Also ensure your own content is easily navigable and links to additional resources — further enhancing your authority and improving your site’s relevance in SGE results.

What Are the Pros & Cons of SGE?

SGE offers several benefits, but like any new technology, it also has its limitations.

Before aligning your SEO strategy with SGE, here are some of the pros and cons you need to know about:

Pros of SGE:

• Enhanced user experience: SGE provides quick, comprehensive overviews, saving users time and effort.
• Improved query handling: SGE handles complex queries effectively, offering deeper insights and broader context.
• Better engagement: By linking to diverse content, SGE can increase user engagement with your site.

Cons of SGE:

• Potential misinterpretations: AI-generated results can sometimes misinterpret queries or provide biased information.
• Impact on organic traffic: Traditional blue links and ads are pushed further down, potentially reducing organic traffic.
• Privacy concerns: Increased use of AI might raise privacy concerns among users, as the technology is still too new to evaluate the potential risks associated with data handling and AI use.

How Might Google’s Algorithm Changes Impact SEO & Paid Search?

Google’s latest algorithm and SGE announcements represent a significant shift in how we may need to approach SEO and paid search strategies moving forward.

Traditional SEO tactics will need to be refined, keeping high-quality, user-centric content the center of attention (literally!). This means businesses have no choice but to prioritize deeply informative, original content that aligns with Google’s E-E-A-T principles.

For organic SEO, the impact is also clear: businesses will need to enhance their content to address common user queries in a clear, structured, and comprehensive way, providing detailed explanations and actionable insights.

For paid search strategies, some adaptation will also be required. As AI-generated snapshots take prime real estate on search results pages, traditional ads are pushed further down, potentially reducing their visibility and effectiveness. This increased competition for top ad spots means businesses must now create content and ads that are more targeted and relevant to users than ever.

Is Understanding SGE Necessary for Your Business?

It’s no secret that staying ahead of the competition now involves staying ahead of evolving SEO best practices. And, as your competitors adapt to changes like SGE and the March 2024 core update, it’s crucial for your business to keep up with what’s happening.

But, with the jury still out on SGE — and more changes to Google’s algorithm incoming — integrating any kind of change to your SEO strategy requires forethought, agility, and ultimately, expert help.

Tate Design: Chester County SEO Services with a Difference

If you need expert guidance to navigate SEO strategy changes, or want to create a new strategy from scratch, the Tate Design team is here to help.

As a full-service marketing agency, we don’t just update your SEO strategy — we can create an entirely new one aligned with current best practices and tailored to your business. We also offer a range of other services for an integrated approach to your digital marketing needs.

Contact our team of SEO specialists in Chester County, PA today to learn more about how we can support your SEO efforts and help you achieve your business goals.

Let us be the partner that drives your success in this competitive digital world.