After the upheaval of March 2024, a giant core update, a spam update and three new spam policies, Google Search was quiet for a few months. The next confirmed update was the June 2024 spam update, released on 20 June 2024 and completed a week later on 27 June.
Compared with March, it was a small, short update with very little official detail. Google did not say which spam types it focused on. It did, however, tell Search Engine Land two useful things: it was not the algorithmic enforcement of the new site reputation abuse policy, and it was not a link spam update.
In this guide you will learn the confirmed facts, how the update fits after March 2024, what a spam update hit typically looks like in your data, and a calm, step-by-step response if your site lost visibility.
Key Takeaways
- The June 2024 spam update ran from 20 to 27 June 2024, according to the Google Search Status Dashboard.
- It was the first confirmed Google search update after the March 2024 core and spam updates.
- Google told Search Engine Land it was not the algorithmic version of site reputation abuse enforcement, and not related to link spam.
- Google did not specify which spam types it targeted; its advice was to review the spam policies.
- Spam update hits usually look sharp and concentrated; Google says recovery after fixes may take months.
June 2024 Spam Update: The Facts
| Detail | What we know | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Name | June 2024 spam update | Google Search Status Dashboard |
| Start | 20 June 2024 | Dashboard incident |
| Completed | 27 June 2024 | Dashboard incident |
| Announced duration | “Up to 1 week” | Dashboard incident |
| Type | Broad spam update (not link spam) | Google via Search Engine Land |
| Site reputation abuse? | Not the algorithmic version of that policy’s enforcement | Google via Search Engine Land |
| Confirmed? | Yes | Dashboard |
| Previous update | March 2024 core update (5 Mar – 19 Apr) and spam update (5–20 Mar) | Dashboard |
“Released the June 2024 spam update. The rollout may take up to 1 week to complete.”
— Google Search Status Dashboard, June 2024 spam update incident
Timing: After the March 2024 Changes
The June update arrived roughly two months after the March 2024 core update finished on 19 April. That context matters for analysis:
- March 2024 introduced three new spam policies: scaled content abuse, expired domain abuse and site reputation abuse.
- Google began enforcing site reputation abuse on 5 May 2024. Search Engine Land reported that this enforcement was still via manual actions at the time of the June update.
- Because the June update did not overlap with a core update, its effects were easier to isolate than many 2023 updates.
Google did not say whether the June update related to the new March policies. Treat any claim that it “targeted AI content” or similar as speculation unless you can see clear evidence in your own data.
What a Spam Update Hit Typically Looks Like
Spam updates and core updates often leave different fingerprints. This is not a rulebook, but it helps you form a hypothesis.
| Pattern | Typical of a spam update | Typical of a core update |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Sudden step-change during a short rollout | Gradual or stepwise over two weeks or more |
| Depth | Deep drops, sometimes near-total loss for affected pages | Moderate gains and losses across many queries |
| Spread | Concentrated on pages using a spam tactic | Spread across sections and content types |
| Cause you can name | Often: hacked pages, scraped or mass-produced content, cloaking, link schemes | Often unclear; relevance and quality reassessment |
| Response | Remove the violation, then wait for systems to re-learn | Sustainable quality improvements |
For more detail, see core updates vs spam updates and our explainer on Google SpamBrain, the AI system behind much of Google’s spam detection.
What Google Advised
Google gave the same advice it gives for every spam update:
“Sites that see a change after a spam update should review our spam policies to ensure they are complying with those.”
— Google, as quoted by Search Engine Land, Google unleashes June 2024 spam update
Google’s spam updates documentation adds that changes may help a site improve if its automated systems learn over a period of months. For link spam updates specifically, Google warns that ranking benefits lost when spammy links are neutralised cannot be regained, but the June 2024 update was not a link spam update.
Step-by-Step: Responding to a June 2024 Drop
- Confirm the timing: compare the week before 20 June 2024 with the week after 27 June 2024 in Search Console.
- Check the Manual actions and Security issues reports. A manual action is a separate problem with its own fix.
- Identify which pages and sections lost traffic; spam hits usually cluster.
- Compare those pages against Google’s spam policies, especially scaled content abuse, scraping, cloaking, hacked content and user-generated spam.
- Remove or fix violating content and close the hole that allowed it (for example, unmoderated comments or a compromised plugin).
- Keep a dated change log and monitor for months, including through later spam and core updates.
Our full guide to recovering from a Google spam update and the article on cleaning user-generated spam go deeper. If you need hands-on help, see our penalty recovery service.
How It Fits the Bigger Timeline
The June 2024 spam update sat between two core updates: March 2024 and the August 2024 core update. The next spam update was the December 2024 spam update. You can see the full sequence in our 2024 algorithm updates review and our algorithm updates hub.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming it was a site reputation abuse crackdown. Google said it was not the algorithmic version of that enforcement.
- Disavowing links in response. Google said the update was not related to link spam.
- Confusing it with late March 2024 effects. The March core update ran until 19 April; check your baseline dates.
- Making cosmetic changes. Spam issues are fixed by removing the violation, not by rewording titles.
- Expecting a quick bounce-back. Google says systems may need months to recognise changes.
Related Guides
- Google’s August 2024 Core Update and Small Publishers
- Google’s November 2024 Core Update Explained
- Google's December 2024 Core Update: A Second Core Update in Weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the June 2024 spam update roll out?
It started on 20 June 2024 and Google said the rollout was complete as of 27 June 2024.
What did the June 2024 spam update target?
Google did not specify. It told Search Engine Land it was not a link spam update and not the algorithmic enforcement of the site reputation abuse policy.
Was the June 2024 spam update related to the March 2024 changes?
Google did not say so. It was the first confirmed update after the March 2024 core and spam updates.
How do I know if a spam update hit my site?
Look for sudden, concentrated drops during the rollout dates, then check whether affected pages break any of Google’s spam policies.
How long does recovery take after a spam update?
Google says improvements may help if its automated systems learn over a period of months. There is no fixed timeline.
Conclusion
The June 2024 spam update was short and lightly documented, but it followed a period of major policy change. If you lost visibility that week, look for concrete spam-policy issues, fix the root cause and give Google’s systems time. For an expert review of your site, explore our SEO services or request a free quote.
References
- Google Search Status Dashboard: June 2024 spam update
- Search Engine Land: Google unleashes June 2024 spam update
- Search Engine Land: June 2024 spam update done rolling out
- Google Search Central: Google spam updates
- Google Search Central: Spam policies for Google web search
- Google: New ways we’re tackling spammy, low-quality content on Search
