Greetings Cyborg,

On March 5, 2024, Google announced what they’re calling their biggest update of the decade.

Google's big goal was to make sure when you search for something, you find what you really need — not just a bunch of pages that are there to fill up space.

They said they were going to get rid of up to 40% of not-so-helpful sites. That's a lot!

It's like you had 100 books and decided 40 of them weren't interesting or useful, so you gave them away to make room for better books.

Following this update, many sites got deindexed — including authority sites.

Naturally, people are not happy. Let’s explore the casualties in this newsletter.

LITTLE WORDS

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• 14 Local Search Developments You Need to Know About From Q1 2024 (Link)

• SEO Trends in 2024 and How to Adapt (Link)

THE BIG WORD

Is Google Punishing Blogs?

I am worried about my site because it’s badly hit by the update. — exclaimed a worried Redditor.

And the saga continued…

Other Redditors reported that they went from 300 impressions a day to 10!

Bloggers are confused if they should continue blogging or stop altogether.

Some people even reported a massive 100% drop in conversions!

More and more Redditors are expressing their concern.

Most people believe that Google is trying to send a clear message: cut the AI auto-blogging, or suffer the consequences.

But is that true? Is Google really punishing blogs?

Honestly, that’s not what we think.

We think this move was inevitable.

With the rise of AI, the blogging space became crowded with cookie-cutter content. If Google didn’t carry out the necessary sweeps, soon people would stop trusting the source.

It might not happen overnight, but it will happen.

Like any other site, Google is practicing much-needed quality control.

And if you’re thinking:

But hey, I’ve been blogging for 15 years and I barely wrote 3 AI-generated paragraphs, why am I taken by the storm?

I would say: Be patient and observe.

I’ve put together these 7 short action steps to help you sit the storm out — and strategize your next steps.

1. Focus on quality over quantity. Your content should serve a purpose and genuinely benefit your audience, not just fill up space.

2. Use AI — but strategically. AI is great for content ideation and research. Tools like Reword can even help you craft your SEO strategy effortlessly. Instead of using AI to write the articles for you, treat it like your junior writer who does the research and draws up the first draft for you.

3. Focus on site experience. Stop bombarding your site visitors with too many ads. It detracts from user experience. Keep your site speed up, and updated!
   

4. Cultivate your brand's presence, beyond traditional advertising. Make sure your name is known across forums, websites, and especially on social media platforms. A strong social following can significantly boost your credibility and authority in your field.

5. Put UGC inside your articles. Add other’s perspective. Add case studies. Allow comments. Your site needs to be interactive and alive.

6. Don't skimp on linking within your site. A well-thought-out internal linking strategy helps Google understand the context and relationship between different pages on your site, enhancing its ability to index your content effectively.

7. Set the right expectations. Following Google's update, bloggers should adjust their expectations and understand that the digital landscape is now more focused on the value and authenticity of content.

Remember, Immediate changes in search rankings might not be drastic for everyone, but over time, those who prioritize quality, user engagement, and brand presence in genuine ways will likely see positive shifts.

It's a reminder that in the world of SEO, quick fixes are less effective than ever. Building a solid, reputable online presence requires patience, consistent effort, and a strategy that values the user's experience above all.

FROM THE CYBORG CHIEFS

Based on today’s newsletter theme, we bring you an easy way to add internal links with the help of AI.

This 3-minute video will help you add better, more effective internal links quickly and effortlessly.

PROMPT OF THE WEEK

The goal here is not to blindly use a famous copywriter’s voice. The goal is to learn how one concept can be communicated in different ways, using different words.

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