Google has launched the December 2024 spam update, which is a global rollout expected to take up to one week. This update targets sites that violate Google’s spam policies but should not significantly impact most websites, especially as it coincides with the holiday season. This release follows the completion of the December 2024 core update.
The update aims to enhance Google's automated systems for detecting search spam, with improvements made to SpamBrain, their AI-based spam prevention system. Websites experiencing ranking changes after this update should review their compliance with Google’s spam policies, as violations may lead to lower rankings or removal from search results. Adjustments made by sites may take months to be recognized by Google's systems.
The previous spam update occurred on June 20, 2024, and was completed by June 27. In 2024 alone, Google has implemented seven search algorithm updates, including four core updates and three spam updates. The specific types of spam targeted by this update remain unclear, but any noticeable ranking changes in the coming week may be linked to this update.
