Google
December 2024 Spam Update
In brief
Spam update rolled out just after the December core update, strengthening the enforcement of anti-spam rules.
Key points
- Spam update rolled out right after the December 2024 core update.
- Strengthened enforcement of the anti-spam rules.
- Additional sanctions for sites relying on abusive practices.
- Possible overlap with the effects of the ongoing core update.
Analysis
Layering a spam update over a core update at year-end creates a situation where the same fall may have two distinct origins. You therefore have to separate a compliance problem from an overall quality problem, since the remedies differ.
A spam update penalizes specific violations of the guidelines and can cause very sharp drops. Its proximity to the December core update requires a careful reading of the decline dates to reach the right diagnosis.
What to do
- Precisely date each drop to attribute it to the spam update or the core update.
- Audit compliance with the anti-spam guidelines before any action related to editorial quality.
- Fix abusive practices without delay to remain eligible for the following reassessments.
Impact
Additional penalties for sites relying on abusive practices. Possible pile-up with the core update effects.