John Mueller from Google has clarified that the algorithm update on March 7th was not specifically aimed at low-quality sites but was more concerned with content relevance.
Mueller shared this insight during a Google Webmaster Hangout on April 6th. He responded to the following query:
“If we have a legitimate site producing world-class quality content and getting numerous links, but it was affected by the March 7th and 9th quality updates, and scraper sites are now ranking higher, what can we do to rectify this?”
Mueller first explained that most of Google’s algorithm updates are primarily about relevance. A drop in rankings due to the update does not necessarily mean a site’s content is low quality.
He mentioned that many sites lose relevance over time, regardless of the quality of their content. To enhance relevance, Mueller advises seeking user feedback on potential improvements to the site.
Mueller’s complete response is available in a video starting at the 11:33 mark.
“For the most part, these updates focus on relevance — determining the relevance of specific queries rather than overall quality.
Your site might no longer be seen as relevant for those specific queries. This does not mean it is a poor site, just not relevant for those particular queries. Many high-quality sites face this over time.
As a site owner, it’s tricky because you want to regain your previous standing.
Sometimes, especially concerning relevance, it’s not about correcting a mistake but rather adapting to change.
I suggest getting user feedback to understand their perspective on your website and to receive objective feedback on possible improvements or adjustments.
Additionally, always verify technical aspects: Can Google crawl all your content? Is it being indexed properly? Double-check these details as they can be affected by small website changes.”
Additional resources are available.
