What is the March 1, 2020 Google Nofollow Update?

The Google Nofollow update on March 1, 2020, marks a significant shift in how Google treats nofollow links. Previously, nofollow links were treated as a directive by Google, meaning they were completely ignored for both crawling and indexing purposes. However, this update includes a new approach that introduces nofollow links as a guiding hint for crawling and indexing.

Overview of the Update

Google's recent release of an update on Nofollow links introduced changes that now affect crawling and indexing significantly. Specifically, it signifies that from March 1, 2020, Google will treat nofollow links as a hint rather than a hard rule. This means that these links will influence how and what Google crawls and indexes.

The Impact on Ranking and Traffic

While the exact impact on rankings is uncertain, this change may lead to fluctuations in search engine results pages (SERPs) and potentially affect daily organic traffic. The update implies that pages linked by nofollow links, even if they are not typically indexed, may now receive more scrutiny from Google's crawlers.

Potential Effects on Ranking and Crawling

Google explicitly stated, "For crawling and indexing purposes, nofollow will become a hint as of March 1, 2020." This means that nofollow links are now seen as suggestions for where Google might prioritize crawling and indexing. The implication here is that while nofollow links were previously disregarded in rankings, they now carry a certain level of influence.

Uncertainty and Future Observations

Given the uncertainty surrounding the exact effects of this update, it’s crucial to stay informed and monitor the impact closely. The changes may either negatively or positively affect your site's rankings and traffic. It’s important to keep a watchful eye on your SEO metrics and conduct A/B testing to understand how this update affects your specific site.

Conclusion

The March 1, 2020, Google Nofollow update signals a new era in how nofollow links are handled by Google's algorithms. As this is a significant change, it’s essential to monitor its impact closely to ensure that your site’s SEO strategy remains effective and aligned with Google’s evolving practices.

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