Discover how Google’s March 2024 update is shaking up search results by penalizing low-quality content, with insights into the impact on websites and actionable strategies for boosting authority through manual link building
Google’s big update in March 2024 is good news for searchers! It means less low-quality content and spam cluttering results (think a 40% reduction!), making it easier to find reliable information. According to a Seroundtable article from March 2024, at least 25 websites have received manual penalty actions. Additionally, according to a study by Originality.ai, 1,446 out of 79,000 websites that Google checked in March 2024 had manual action taken against them.
Key Features of the Update
- Estimated a loss of more than 20 million visitors per month
- Quality content wins: Websites with valuable content and good user experience will rank higher.
- Expertise matters: Google prioritizes sites showing knowledge in their field.
- Algorithmic limitations on website’s organic reach.
- Increased instances of manual penalties affecting many websites.
- Decline in effectiveness of Private Blog Networks (PBNs), rendering them largely useless for rankings.
Focus on Manual Link Building
Manual link building involves actively seeking out and acquiring backlinks from authoritative websites within your industry. Unlike automated link building methods, manual link building ensures that each link is earned through genuine connections and valuable content.
Now, let’s explore some effective manual link building strategies that can help bolster your website’s authority and improve its search rankings.
Guest Blogging
Guest blogging remains a powerful tool for building backlinks and establishing thought leadership. By contributing high-quality content to reputable websites in your niche, you can attract relevant traffic and earn valuable backlinks to your own site.
Social Media Engagement
Active engagement on social media platforms allows you to connect with your audience and industry influencers. By sharing valuable content and participating in discussions, you can attract attention to your website and encourage others to link back to your content, contributing directly to your SEO strategy in 2024.
Online Reviews and Mentions
Positive online reviews and mentions from satisfied customers can significantly impact your website’s credibility and authority. Encourage customers to leave reviews on platforms such as Google My Business, Yelp, and industry-specific review sites.
Online Directories
Listing your website on online directories relevant to your industry can help improve your online visibility and attract potential customers. Ensure that your business information is accurate and consistent across all directories to maximize the impact of these listings.
Public Relations (PR)
Effective public relations strategies can also contribute to your link building efforts. Building relationships with journalists and media outlets can lead to press coverage and backlinks from reputable news sources.
Podcast Guesting
Appearing as a guest on relevant podcasts within your industry provides an excellent opportunity to showcase your expertise and reach a new audience. Many podcasts offer backlinks to guest websites in their show notes or episode descriptions, enhancing your link profile.
Webinars
Hosting or participating in webinars allows you to engage with your audience in a more interactive format. Promote your webinars across various channels and encourage participants to share the event, increasing visibility and potentially earning backlinks from attendees’ websites or social media profiles.
Broken Link Building Outreach
Crafting personalized outreach emails to website owners who have broken links pointing to outdated or irrelevant content presents an opportunity to offer your own content as a replacement. Be polite and helpful in your approach, emphasizing the value your content can provide to their audience.
HARO Participation
Help a Reporter Out (HARO) is a platform where journalists seek expert sources for their articles. By responding to relevant queries and providing valuable insights, you can earn media coverage and valuable backlinks from reputable news sources.
Industry Awards
Winning or even being nominated for industry awards can significantly boost your website’s credibility and authority. Many awarding organizations provide backlinks to winners or finalists on their websites, enhancing your link profile and reputation within your industry.
Scholarships or Grants
Offering scholarships or grants related to your industry can attract attention from educational institutions, students, and organizations. Many universities and colleges have dedicated scholarship pages where they link to external scholarship opportunities, providing valuable backlinks to your website.
Sponsor Events
Sponsoring relevant industry events or conferences not only increases brand visibility but also often comes with opportunities for backlinks on event websites or promotional materials. Choose events that align with your target audience and industry niche for maximum impact.
Case Studies and Testimonials
Publishing case studies and testimonials showcasing successful outcomes or satisfied customers can attract attention from other businesses and potential clients. Encourage clients to link back to your website when sharing their experiences, further enhancing your link profile and credibility.
Broken Link Building with Ahrefs
Utilize tools like Ahrefs to identify broken links pointing to relevant content within your industry. Reach out to website owners, offering your own high-quality content as a replacement. Ahrefs’ extensive database and analysis capabilities make this process more efficient and effective.
Content Marketing with BuzzSumo
Create compelling and shareable content using BuzzSumo’s insights into trending topics and social media engagement. By producing content that resonates with your audience and aligns with industry trends, you can attract natural backlinks from other websites and social media users.
Social Media Engagement with Hootsuite
Manage your social media presence effectively with Hootsuite‘s scheduling and monitoring features. Consistent engagement and valuable content sharing on social media platforms can lead to increased visibility and organic backlinks as users share and repost your content.
Online Reviews with Podium
Leverage Podium’s reputation management platform to encourage positive online reviews from satisfied customers. Showcase these reviews on your website and across various online platforms to build trust and credibility, ultimately attracting more backlinks and referral traffic.
Online Directories with Moz Local
Ensure your business information is accurately listed on online directories using Moz Local’s citation management tools. Consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) information across directories not only improves local SEO but also increases the likelihood of earning backlinks from these authoritative sources.
By incorporating these advanced link building strategies into your digital marketing efforts, you can adapt to Google’s Core Update and stay ahead of the competition in 2024. Remember, the key to successful link building lies in providing valuable content, building genuine relationships, and staying abreast of industry trends and best practices.
