Google’s algorithm updates have always been a hot topic in the digital world, and the recent changes announced in 2024 are no exception. As a UK-based design agency, we’re here to shed light on these updates and discuss their implications for web design.
The March 2024 Core Update
The March 2024 Core Update is a game-changer. Google has emphasised its goal of reducing unhelpful, irrelevant, and unoriginal content from search results. This clean-up drive promises to remove up to 40% of low-quality websites. Websites found violating Google’s guidelines or employing questionable SEO tactics will not only be penalised but completely removed both from the search results and the index.
Impact on Web Design
These updates have significant implications for web design. Websites need to focus more than ever on providing high-quality, original content. This means that design should facilitate the presentation of such content in an engaging and user-friendly manner.
AI Overviews
Another major change is the introduction of AI Overviews. Google Search will now provide its own AI-generated answers to many questions. This feature is already rolled out to users in the United States.
Designing for AI Overviews
Designing for AI Overviews presents a new challenge. Websites must now consider how their content can be summarised effectively by AI. This requires a clear and concise presentation of information, with key points easily identifiable by AI systems.
The End of FID
Google has also announced that Interaction to Next Paint (INP) will replace First Input Delay (FID) as a Core Web Vitals metric. This transition marks the end of FID as a Core Web Vital.
Designing for INP
Designing for INP will require a focus on optimising the user’s interaction experience. This includes ensuring that the website responds quickly to user inputs and that the next paint event occurs promptly.
Conclusion
Google’s 2024 algorithm updates present new challenges and opportunities for web design. By focusing on high-quality, original content and optimising for new metrics like INP, designers can ensure that their websites continue to perform well in Google’s search results. As a design agency, we’re excited to help our clients navigate these changes and create websites that not only look great but also perform exceptionally in this new SEO landscape.
Remember, design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about function too. And in the world of SEO, function means visibility. Let’s embrace these changes and design for the future!
