What Google’s Latest Update Means for Your Business Website

If you’ve noticed a drop—or spike—in website traffic lately, you’re not alone.

Google began rolling out its latest core update on March 5, 2024, and as usual, the digital world is buzzing with questions.

So what does it actually mean for your business website? Should you panic? Redesign everything? Fire up ChatGPT and write 100 blog posts?

Take a breath. Here’s what’s going on—and what smart businesses are doing in response.

What Is a Google Update?

Google regularly adjusts how it ranks websites in its search results. These updates aim to improve search quality by rewarding helpful, relevant content and reducing the visibility of spammy or low-value websites.

Some updates are minor. Others—like the March 2024 Core Update—can dramatically shift rankings, especially for websites that haven’t kept pace with current best practices.

What’s in the March 2024 Core Update?

This update is part of a broader overhaul of Google’s ranking systems. It focuses heavily on improving the overall quality of results and reducing reliance on outdated or artificially generated content. Key takeaways include:

• Helpful content first – Google prioritises websites that offer original, useful, and people-first content.
• AI spam crackdown – Sites filled with low-quality or auto-generated content are being pushed down in rankings.
• Page experience still matters – Fast-loading, mobile-friendly, and secure websites remain critical.
• Authoritativeness is essential – Websites that clearly demonstrate expertise, trust, and experience tend to perform better.

What It Means for Your Business Website

Content Quality is No Longer Optional

If your site has thin content, duplicated info, or outdated blog posts, Google is likely to lower its ranking. Fresh, relevant content is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a basic requirement.

Action: Regularly update your key pages and blog content. Focus on being genuinely helpful and relevant to your audience, not just ticking SEO boxes.

AI Content Needs a Human Touch

Using AI tools like ChatGPT is fine (we use them too), but Google can detect when content is generic, repetitive, or offers no real value.

Action: Use AI to assist, but always edit for tone, clarity, and insight. Think like a trusted advisor, not a content factory.

User Experience Still Rules

Google still values fast, mobile-friendly, and easy-to-navigate websites. Poor user experience can negatively impact your search visibility and frustrate potential clients.

Action: Audit your website performance. Speed it up, fix navigation issues, and make sure it looks and works great on mobile devices.

You Need to Show You’re a Real Business

Trust is a ranking factor. Google gives preference to websites that reflect genuine business credibility, transparency, and expertise.

Action: Ensure you have a clear About page, contact info, testimonials, recent blog activity, and a human tone that reflects your expertise and brand values.

What Smart Businesses Are Doing Now

• Auditing their websites for outdated or low-value content
• Investing in strategic SEO, not just keyword stuffing
• Refreshing site design to improve usability and trust
• Publishing content that addresses topical challenges

And they’re doing it not just to please Google—but to better serve their target market.

Not Sure Where to Start?

At Digital Elements, we can help assess where your website stands today and what practical updates will help it perform tomorrow