March Core Update: A New Google Ranking Factor?
Understanding the Recent Changes
I’ve been delving into the ramifications of Google’s March Core Update, trying to discern the reasons behind the significant drop in rankings for numerous websites. To refine my findings, I need your assistance in identifying sites that don’t align with my current analysis. Please share any such sites that defy my understanding of the update.
My Interpretation of the Update
It seems that Google has introduced social proof as a crucial ranking factor. This metric serves as a trust signal, with Google now considering social media presence as an indicator of a website’s authenticity. Essentially, social proof functions like an “EEAT” factor, indicating that a site is genuine and human-driven, rather than an AI or content farm. Websites lacking in this social proof may end up in a type of “Social Sandbox,” where they still appear on Google but are deemed less trustworthy. Consequently, social proof has replaced links as a primary trust signal. No matter how robust your link profile might be, to attract significant traffic from Google, you must now show social proof.
Websites exhibiting strong social proof but appearing spammy may face manual penalties. While links continue to hold value, they are only meaningful if accompanied by a vibrant social media presence.
The Role of AI in Google’s Evolution
With the rise of AI, ranking on Google has become more accessible. Practices like AI Content creation and AI-assisted link building have turned Google into an easy target for “Programmatic SEO.” In response, Google has shifted the dynamics of trust, favoring social media presence as a filter to weed out sites solely created for search manipulation.
Your Assistance Needed
Based on my research, every site thriving after the update has significant social proof, whereas those that have suffered lack this component or possess insufficient strength. Here are some examples of successful sites post-update:
| Site | YouTube | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter |
|——|———|———–|———-|———–|——–|———|
| burbankids.com | 9.81k | 13k | 43k | 669 | | |
| thesavorychopstick.com | 1.27k | 790 | 449 | 314K | 30k | |
| freestyletravelers.com | 1.57k | 16 | 462 | 4.86k | 18.4k | 1894 |
| coffeew
2 responses to “Seeking confirmation on a new ranking factor in March core update.”
Understanding Google’s March Core Update: The Social Proof Factor
The recent discussion around Google’s March Core Update has sparked debates regarding a potential new ranking factor: social proof. Understanding and validating this development is crucial for SEO professionals and webmasters. Here’s a detailed examination of the claim and how you can contribute to further analysis.
The Hypothesis: Social Proof as a Ranking Factor
The argument posits that Google has begun using social media presence as a significant trust signal, potentially replacing links in its traditional role as a cornerstone of SEO. This shift aims to filter out AI-driven content farms and establish the authenticity of web entities. Let’s explore this hypothesis further:
Social Proof Defined: This entails leveraging social media presence to signal the trustworthiness of a website. Google can evaluate social media metrics such as followers, engagement, and overall activity to deduce whether a site has genuine human interaction and credibility.
Impact on Rankings: According to the hypothesis, sites demonstrating robust social media metrics are favored by Google’s algorithm. Conversely, sites lacking in this area are relegated to a “social sandbox,” where their trustworthiness is questioned, potentially impacting their search visibility despite a strong backlink profile.
Examples of Winners
The data shared highlights various sites that have thrived post-update, backed by significant social media presence:
| Site | YouTube | Pinterest | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter |
|———————–|———|———–|———-|———–|——–|———|
| burbankids.com | 9.81k | 13k | 43k | 669 | | |
| thesavorychopstick.com | 1.27k | 790 | 449 | 314K | 30k | |
| freestyletravelers.com | 1.57k | 16 | 462 | 4.86k | 18.4k | 1894 |
These examples point to sites with varied yet strong followings across platforms, potentially validating the social proof hypothesis.
How You Can Contribute
To refine this hypothesis, sharing data on sites that don’t adhere to the current narrative is crucial. Here’s how you can assist:
This is a fascinating analysis of the March Core Update, and I appreciate you bringing attention to how social proof may now be influencing rankings. Your perspective on social proof functioning similarly to the EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) framework is particularly noteworthy, as it highlights the evolving landscape of SEO where traditional metrics like link building may no longer suffice on their own.
One thing to consider is how Google might assess social proof. Are they looking strictly at follower counts and engagement metrics across platforms, or could they also be analyzing the sentiment and quality of that engagement? For instance, a brand with fewer followers but highly engaged and enthusiastic users may have a more favorable standing than one with many followers but predominantly negative interactions.
Additionally, it would be interesting to explore how niche industries are adapting to this shift. For example, smaller or specialized websites may find it harder to garner social proof compared to larger players in their field. It would be beneficial to share strategies that these smaller sites can employ to bolster their social media presence while maintaining authenticity.
Lastly, discussing potential implications or strategies moving forward could provoke more thought on this subject. How can webmasters balance the push for social proof with the necessity of creating valuable and genuine content? This new shift is a reminder that SEO is not just about algorithms but also about fostering real relationships with audiences. Thank you for sparking this important conversation!