Streamlining Search by Targeting Manipulative Link Practices and Low-Quality Content Google has launched its December 2024 spam update, a significant move to further refine its search algorithm and combat manipulative practices. The December 19th update is expected to take approximately one week to roll-out fully. Remarkably, this is the third spam update of the year and is part of Google’s broader effort to maintain the integrity of search results by prioritizing high-quality, trustworthy content. The update comes just one day after the completion of the December 2024 core update. Who is affected? The December 2024 spam update is designed to affect websites that violate Google’s spam policies. Google confirmed that the update applies globally to all languages. This indicates that websites located anywhere and in any language that participate in practices considered manipulative by Google might see a decline in search rankings or could potentially be eliminated from search results. Specifically, the update focuses on backlinks and neutralizes low-quality links that try to manipulate search rankings. Google’s improved SpamBrain system is now better equipped to detect and neutralize: Paid Backlinks: Links purchased to boost a website’s ranking artificially. Private Blog Networks (PBNs): Links from networks of blogs created only to get artificial backlinks. Excessive Link Exchanges: Reciprocal links...
