March Core Update: Is Social Proof the New Google Ranking Factor?
As we dive into the implications of the latest March Core Update from Google, I’ve been piecing together more of the puzzle. A notable trend has emerged—some websites have experienced significant drops, and I believe understanding this shift might hinge on a crucial new factor: social proof. However, I need your assistance in identifying any inconsistencies that could either support or challenge this theory.
Unpacking the Update
It appears that Google is now considering social media presence as an important ranking signal. This development serves as a trust indicator, suggesting that websites with an established social media footprint are perceived as more credible. In essence, social proof functions similarly to the Google concept of “E-E-A-T” (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). It signals to Google that these sites are run by real people rather than automated systems or content farms.
Websites lacking this social proof are potentially facing relegation to a “Social Sandbox.” In this scenario, these sites still pop up during searches but lack the trust required to rank effectively. While backlinks still play a role, they seem to take a backseat to the newfound emphasis on social signals. Without an active social media presence, even sites with a robust link profile may struggle to drive substantial organic traffic.
Interestingly, websites that do possess social proof but come off as spammy may find themselves on the receiving end of manual penalties.
The Need for Social Media Presence
Social media engagement now serves as a filter for identifying sites built primarily for Search Engine Optimization. From my initial analysis, I’ve observed a clear connection between social proof and performance post-update. Websites that have thrived typically possess a solid social media presence, while those that plummeted are often lacking in that area or have insufficient social credibility.
Notable Success Stories
Here are some examples of websites that have thrived post-update, showcasing their impressive social media followings across various platforms:
| 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 |
| coffeewithstarla.com | 197 | 9k | 11k | 3.9k | | |
| spinachandbacon.com | 123 | 8.6k | 833 | 116k | 26.6k | |
| cjeatsrecipes.com | 16.6k | 122.8k | 2.3k | 988k | 1.1M | |
| stellanspice.com | 261 | | 688 | 417k | 1.4M | 15 |
| cookinginthemidwest.com | 53.3k | 72.9k | 934k | 1.2M | 2.7M | |
| theburntbuttertable.com | | 1.2k | | 161k | 205 | |
| sewcanshe.com | 57k | 280k | 232k | | | |
| dogster.com | | | 182k | 38.7k | | 63k |
When assessing your current keyword strategy, consider evaluating the social media presence of these sites. Are they leveraging platforms effectively? Conversely, investigate whether sites that have taken a hit show a lack of engagement or presence on social media.
Recovery Strategies Post-Update
To navigate the changes instigated by this update, it’s crucial to demonstrate to Google that your website isn’t just catering to their algorithm. Focus on cultivating your social media profiles, linking them back to your site, and vice versa. Now more than ever, a vibrant social media presence is indispensable for achieving strong rankings in Google search results.
I invite you to support this inquiry by sharing examples of sites that do not align with the social proof narrative. I’m particularly interested in sites with substantial content and traffic but might not be engaging effectively on social platforms. Your insights could be invaluable in expanding our understanding of this update’s breadth and impact.
2 responses to “March core update: New Google ranking factor? Need confirmation.”
Your analysis of the March Core Update presents an interesting proposition regarding the role of social proof as a ranking factor. While Google has long emphasized the importance of trust signals in evaluating sites, the potential shift toward social media presence as a primary indicator raises some nuanced considerations for SEO practitioners. Here are a few insights that may help refine your understanding and contribute to your research.
Understanding the Role of Social Signals
1. Correlation vs. Causation:
While it may seem that sites with strong social media presence saw positive outcomes post-update, it’s crucial to differentiate correlation from causation. Just because these sites rank well doesn’t necessarily mean their social media activity is the direct cause. Google’s algorithm considers a myriad of factors, and social signals might simply be one aspect of a broader suite of trust signals, including content quality, user engagement metrics, and overall site authority.
Practical Strategies for Leveraging Social Proof
2. Building Authentic Engagement:
If social media presence is indeed becoming a more salient factor, the key is not just to have accounts but to foster genuine engagement. Here’s how:
Create Shareable Content: Content that resonates with your audience can lead to organic shares, which enhance your visibility and trust.
Build Relationships: Engage with your audience through comments, stories, and direct messages. This humanizes your brand and establishes credibility.
Cross-Promote Your Content: Use your social channels to highlight your blog posts and drive traffic back to your site. This strategy not only boosts visibility but also demonstrates to Google that your site is respected by users.
Addressing the Potential Risks
3. Avoiding Spammy Practices:
As you noted, Google may penalize sites that appear spammy, even if they have robust social media profiles. Focus on maintaining high-quality interactions and authenticity to prevent any risk. Avoid:
Buying Followers: An inflated follower count without real engagement diminishes trustworthiness.
Using Automation for Engagement: Automated likes or comments can lead to a lack of authenticity and may draw scrutiny from both users and Google.
Evaluating Outliers
4. Analyzing Lower-Ranked Sites:
For your research on outlier sites that have not benefitted from enhanced social proof, consider looking into:
Content Quality and Relevance: Review if these sites are delivering valuable and well-structured content. Low-quality content may persistently disenfranchise users regardless of social presence.
User Experience (UX): Sites with poor navigation, slow loading speeds, or excessive ads might not convert visitors effectively, leading to drops in rankings despite having social media accounts.
To further support your investigation, consider categorizing these outlier sites based on industry, content type, and traffic sources. This may give additional context to their performance post-update.
Conclusion
Your observation about the potential impact of social proof on Google’s ranking factors aligns with an ongoing trend towards evaluating site credibility holistically. Fostering an authentic social media presence while ensuring top-tier content and user experience will likely serve as a robust strategy for navigating future improvements. As you gather data on additional sites, keep these multifaceted considerations in mind to enrich your conclusions and create a more comprehensive understanding of this core update’s implications.
This is a compelling analysis of the potential role of social proof in Google’s rankings, especially with the recent core update! You raise an important point about how social signals may be gaining prominence as a trust indicator. Given the rise of misinformation and low-quality content online, Google’s focus on social credibility makes a lot of sense as they strive to prioritize authoritative voices.
I would be curious to know if you’ve seen any correlation between the quality of user engagement on social media and site performance. For example, sites with high follower counts but low engagement (likes, comments, shares) might not have the same level of trust compared to those with a smaller following but consistent engagement.
Furthermore, it might be worth considering the type of content that resonates on social media. Engaging multimedia content (like videos and infographics) may drive not only higher social media engagement but also enhance organic traffic as these formats often lead to increased shares.
Lastly, while backlinks have traditionally been a cornerstone of SEO, perhaps a blended approach that integrates social proof and traditional link building could be the way forward for many sites. It would be useful to gather more examples, as you mentioned, to see if there’s a pattern among websites that have thrived without a strong social media presence. Have any of the larger websites or brands managed to sustain their rankings despite a lack of apparent social proof? That could provide further insights into how critical this new factor truly is. Thank you for shedding light on this fascinating development!