Google frequently updates its search algorithm to improve the quality of its search results and to combat spam and manipulative tactics. These updates can have a significant impact on the visibility of websites in search results, so it’s important for website owners and SEO professionals to stay up-to-date on the latest changes.
On December 14, 2022, Google released an update to its spam detection system, called the December 2022 Link Spam Update. This is completed within in weeks, an improvement to Google’s SpamBrain system which uses artificial intelligence to identify spam and unnatural or bought links. SpamBrain can detect both incoming and outgoing links.
This update will be applied to search results in all languages, potentially affecting websites worldwide. Google has strict regulations regarding links used to solely improve website rankings. For instance, Google recommends using a “rel=sponsored” tag for affiliate links and a “rel=nofollow” tag for guest post links. Sites that do not follow these best practices may be affected by the update.
Google’s guidelines for qualifying links encourage the use of natural links that can be accumulated over time. High-quality content supported by a great user experience will always be more effective than manipulated links. It is important for websites to adhere to Google’s best practices to avoid being negatively impacted by updates like the December 2022 Link Spam Update.
Learn and Comply with the Updates
To optimize your website for these updates, it’s important to focus on providing high-quality content that is relevant to your target audience. This means that your website should be well-researched, well-written, and easy to navigate. Additionally, you should make sure that your website is mobile-friendly and that it loads quickly.
Google’s algorithm updates are an important consideration for website owners and SEO professionals. By staying up-to-date on the latest changes and optimizing your website accordingly, you can improve your visibility in search results and drive more traffic to your website.
