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Explicit Fake Content Updates

Search Ranking Update Focus Area

Updated on:

July 31, 2024

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Updates targeting non-consensual explicit content, particularly artificially generated (AI generated) "deepfakes."

Current status of the ranking update

Status:
Rollout complete!
Rollout in progress!
Announced by Google:
July 31, 2024
Update started:
January 1, 2024
Update completed:
Rollout in progress!

Momentic analysis and first look

Below you'll get tips on what to look for, how to respond on your website, and helpful resources to improve your website's SEO and UX as it relates specifically to this Google update.

Google's new update fights fake explicit content. Key points:

Faster removal of fake explicit content. Removing one image can remove similar ones.
Less visibility for fake explicit content in searches. News articles show up first for name searches.
Sites with lots of removed fake content may rank lower overall.
Google says explicit image results dropped by 70% in some searches.

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Types of websites affected

Those with non-consensual explicit content, especially AI-generated.

What to look for

Lower rankings for explicit content

Higher rankings for non-explicit, informative content

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What to address

Check your content follows Google's rules on explicit images.

If you allow user content, improve your moderation.

Create good, informative content about your topics.

Helpful links for this Google update

Official Google announcement

How Google Search works (and where it's heading)

Addressing algorithm updates

Learn more about past Google updates

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December 2024 Spam Update

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December 2024 Core Update

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November 2024 Core Update

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August 2024 Core Update

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Explicit Fake Content Updates

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June 2024 Spam Update

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March 2024 Core Update

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March 2024 Spam Update

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November 2023 Reviews Update

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November 2023 Core Update

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October 2023 Core Update

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October 2023 Spam Update

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September 2023 Helpful Content Update (#3)

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August 2023 Core Update

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April 2023 Reviews Update

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March 2023 Core Update

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February 2023 Product Reviews Update (#6)

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December 2022 Link Spam Update

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December 2022 Helpful Content Update (#2)

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October 2022 Spam Update

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September 2022 Product Reviews Update (#5)

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September 2022 Core Update

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Helpful Content Update

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July 2022 Product Reviews Update (#4)

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May 2022 Core Update

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December 2021 Product Reviews Update (#2)

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Page Experience Update

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March 2022 Product Reviews Update (#3)

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April 2021 Product Reviews Update (#1)

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Passage Ranking

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Page Experience Update

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RankBrain Update

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Hummingbird Update

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Book SEO Consultation