As long as the web grows, Google will grow with it.
This is good for Google's business, especially Google Search, which is considered the largest internet search engine around by a long margin. The thing is, the web's growth will also make misinformation to grow with it.
And this is bad.
Google Search knows how it's responsible for delivering useful information to users, and preventing the spread of misleading information.
In the ever-evolving landscape of the internet, Google, which stands as the gatekeeper to a vast universe of information, is constantly in a battle to ensure that the content it serves up to users is of the highest quality.
Because of this, the tech giant announced a series of changes to its ranking systems aimed at combatting web spam and promoting genuine, helpful content.
One of the primary goal of these changes, is to limit the reach of content that exists solely to summarize other content.
Google sees an increasing number of bad actors who use automated systems, including AI generators, to churn out content that may appear relevant but ultimately fails to provide meaningful information to users.
While this practice may seem innocuous, it can often result in a flood of low-quality articles inundating search results.
Google is cracking down on this behavior, by tweaking its algorithms to identify this kind of content, and downrank them when it sees them.
In addition to summarization spam, Google is also taking aim at other manipulative tactics employed by unscrupulous webmasters.
This includes "site reputation abuse," where otherwise reputable websites host spammy content, and "expired domain abuse," where abandoned domains are repurposed to game the search rankings.
According to a blog post by Google, these changes are expected to reduce the prevalence of low-quality, unoriginal content in search results by a significant 40%.
Google recognizes the importance of maintaining a high-quality search experience and is committed to rooting out spam wherever it may lurk.
By targeting these practices, Google hopes to create a healthier, more reliable web ecosystem.
Read: The Real Meaning Of 'Quality Content', According To Google
Google has been fighting individuals and organizations that seek to exploit loopholes in its algorithms to profit off from low-quality, ad-filled websites.
As the prevalence of AI-generated spam continues to rise, Google faces mounting pressure to refine its search processes. With users increasingly turning to AI chatbots for direct answers, Google must find innovative ways to enhance search quality and relevance.
And as Google continues to evolve, its ongoing quest to deliver the most relevant and helpful search results to users, means that the company needs to continue tightening its grip on spam-filled websites that aim to manipulate the system and land at the top of search results.
The primary goal of these adjustments is to prioritize content that is designed for people, not search engines.
By filtering out spammy websites and low-quality content, Google aims to improve the overall quality of its search results.
Further reading: Google Penalizes Many Websites From Time To Time. These Are The Ways To Play Safe