Analysis of De-indexed sites post Google’s March Update

In the wake of Google’s March 2024 Core Update, website owners are experiencing palpable anxiety. Unlike before, this update promises a more intricate evaluation of online content, favouring quality over mere optimization for rankings. With higher stakes than ever, understanding Google’s evolving landscape and adhering to its guidelines is paramount for maintaining a sustainable online presence.

Chapter 1: Understanding Google’s Deindexing:

Google’s deindexing process can be a nightmare for website owners, leaving pages entirely removed from search results. Causes range from spammy tactics to the use of AI-generated content, all of which undermine the credibility and relevance of online content. Understanding these implications is crucial for navigating the ever-changing SEO terrain and avoiding the pitfalls of deindexing.

Our Methodology

To provide a thorough examination, we analyzed a list of 1000 websites across different niches. This extensive dataset allowed us to capture a wide range of scenarios and identify common trends and unique impacts of the update.

Key Findings

Content Quality:

Our analysis revealed that websites with low-quality, thin content were significantly impacted. Sites with comprehensive, high-quality content saw improved rankings or remained unaffected. This reaffirms the importance of creating valuable and informative content for users.

Backlink Profile:

Websites with a poor backlink profile, particularly those with links from spammy or low-authority domains, experienced a drop in rankings. Conversely, sites with a robust backlink profile from high-authority sources saw a positive or neutral impact. This highlights the necessity of a strong and clean backlink strategy.

Mobile Optimization:

The update seemed to favour mobile-friendly websites. Our analysis indicated that sites optimized for mobile devices retained or improved their rankings, while those lacking mobile optimization faced de-indexing or ranking drops. This underscores the importance of mobile-first design in today’s SEO landscape.

User Experience:

Sites offering a poor user experience, characterized by slow load times, intrusive ads, and difficult navigation, were adversely affected. On the other hand, websites with a focus on user-friendly design and fast performance maintained or boosted their rankings.

Analysis of De-indexed sites : 

1. Number of Different Types of De-indexed Websites: This mega list includes 277 different types of niches that have been removed from search engine listings.
2. Connection Between Website Content and Authority: Websites with a lot of content appearing in search results (what we call “organic keywords”) tend to have slightly higher authority, but the relationship is quite weak. This means having more content doesn’t strongly guarantee higher authority.
3. Link and Authority Relationship: Websites with more links pointing to them also tend to have slightly higher authority. This relationship is a bit stronger than that for content, but it’s still not very strong. Essentially, having more links helps make a website appear more authoritative.

Niche based analysis :

• Certain niches such as “Arts & Entertainment, Comics & Animation, Anime & Manga” and “Home & Garden, Pest Control” show 100% potential deindexing, indicating that all sites within these niches have very low organic traffic compared to their organic keywords.
• On the other hand, niches like “Education, Secondary Education” and “Video Gaming, eSports” show 0% potential deindexing, suggesting that sites in these categories may not be facing deindexing issues.

Some more detailed insights – 

1. Distribution and Variety of Niches

• With 277 unique niches out of 837 sites, it’s evident that de-indexing isn’t confined to a specific sector or type of content. This widespread distribution across various topics like business, health, technology, and entertainment suggests that any site, irrespective of its niche, is vulnerable if it doesn’t adhere to search engine guidelines. SEO enthusiasts should ensure that their content is valuable, relevant, and complies with these guidelines to avoid de-indexing.

2. Advertising Networks

• The dominance of networks like Ezoic, AdSense, and Mediavine among de-indexed sites could point towards a correlation between the use of certain ad networks and the risk of de-indexing. This might not imply causation, but it suggests that sites utilizing these networks should be particularly vigilant about adhering to the ad network’s and search engine’s policies, especially regarding ad placement, site speed, and user experience.

3. Domain Authority (DA)

• The broad range of DA among the de-indexed sites, with an average of around 29, highlights that low- and high-authority sites can be de-indexed. Lower authority sites might be more vulnerable due to less robust content or weaker backlink profiles. Conversely, high-authority sites could be targeted for aggressive SEO tactics that fall foul of search engine policies. A balanced approach that builds authority organically through high-quality content and legitimate SEO practices is advisable.

4. Organic Keywords and Traffic

• The variation in organic keywords and traffic among de-indexed sites underscores that excessive reliance on high keyword volumes and traffic without supporting them with quality content and user engagement can lead to penalties. Sites with high organic keywords and traffic should audit their SEO strategies to ensure they are not engaging in keyword stuffing or manipulative tactics that could trigger de-indexing.

5. Link Profiles

• The extreme range in the number of backlinks, from none to millions, among de-indexed sites suggests that both the quantity and quality of links are crucial. Poor-quality, spammy links can harm a site’s reputation with search engines. SEO strategies should focus on earning high-quality backlinks from reputable sources rather than merely increasing the quantity of links.

6. Earnings

• The earnings associated with these sites might reflect the economic impact of de-indexing. Sites earning more could implement aggressive monetization tactics that may not always align with the best SEO practices. This relationship warrants a careful balance between monetization and adherence to SEO guidelines to ensure sustainability.

Potential Causes for Deindexing

Apart from AI-generated content, several other factors could potentially lead to the deindexing of websites:

1. Thin Content: Sites with little or poor-quality content that doesn’t provide value to users might be penalized or deindexed.
2. User Experience Signals: Poor user experience metrics such as high bounce rates and low time on site might negatively impact the site’s standing with search engines.
3. Over-optimization of SEO: Overusing keywords or manipulative link-building practices can lead to penalties or deindexing.
4. Technical Issues: Problems like improper redirects, slow loading times, or a large number of 404 pages might lead to a site being deindexed.
5. Policy Violations: Non-compliance with the ad network policies or search engine guidelines could also be a factor.

Conclusion

In light of Google’s March 2024 Core Update, maintaining a robust and sustainable online presence requires a multifaceted approach. The update underscores Google’s commitment to prioritizing high-quality content over merely optimized content. Website owners must, therefore, adapt by focusing on value-driven, user-centric content that adheres to Google’s guidelines.

The analysis of deindexed sites reveals key insights:

1. Niche Vulnerability: Certain niches are more susceptible to deindexing due to low-quality content and poor user engagement. It’s crucial for site owners in these niches to prioritize high-quality, relevant content and improve user experience.
2. Content and Authority: While having a large volume of content can help, it’s not a strong guarantee of authority. Quality content that meets user intent and adheres to SEO best practices remains paramount.
3. Backlink Quality: The quality of backlinks is more important than their quantity. Websites should aim to build a robust backlink profile through ethical, white-hat SEO practices.
4. Ad Network Compliance: Websites using ad networks must ensure compliance with ad network and search engine policies to avoid penalties.
5. Technical Health: To prevent deindexing, it is essential to maintain technical health by resolving issues like slow loading times, improper redirects, and 404 errors.
6. Balanced Monetization: Aggressive monetization tactics should be balanced with adherence to SEO guidelines to ensure long-term sustainability.

The evolving landscape of SEO demands a proactive approach. Website owners should continuously monitor their sites to ensure compliance with Google’s guidelines and make necessary adjustments. Regular content audits, backlink profile assessments, and technical SEO checks are essential for avoiding potential deindexing threats.

By embracing these strategies and focusing on delivering genuine value to users, website owners can navigate the complexities of Google’s algorithms and maintain a strong, authoritative online presence. The March 2024 Core Update reminds us that SEO is not a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment to excellence in content, user experience, and ethical SEO practices.

In summary, the key to thriving in the post-update landscape is a balanced, user-focused approach that prioritizes quality over quantity, ethical SEO over manipulative tactics, and compliance over shortcuts. With these principles at the forefront, websites can build resilience against deindexing and secure their position in search engine rankings for the long term.