Here is what we know from Google: "While Google's automated systems to detect search spam are constantly operating, we occasionally make notable improvements to how they work. When we do, we refer to this as a *spam update* and share when they happen on our list of Google Search ranking updates.Google Search spam updates are improvements to Google’s automated systems designed to detect and combat spam. These updates often involve enhancements to SpamBrain, Google’s AI-based spam-prevention system. While Google doesn’t always disclose specific details, it is known that these updates can impact sites that engage in practices like directory submission and private blog networks (PBNs). The impact on rankings is usually negative for sites that violate Google’s spam policies, potentially causing them to rank lower or disappear from search results entirely. Sites that have engaged in these activities may see a decrease in their rankings after a spam update, highlighting the importance of adhering to Google’s guidelines.For example, SpamBrain is our AI-based spam-prevention system. From time-to-time, we improve that system to make it better at spotting spam and to help ensure it catches new types of spam.
Sites that see a change after a spam update should review our spam policies to ensure they are complying with those. Sites that violate our policies may rank lower in results or not appear in results at all. Making changes may help a site improve if our automated systems learn over a period of months that the site complies with our spam policies.
In the case of a link spam update (an update that specifically deals with link spam), making changes might not generate an improvement. This is because when our systems remove the effects spammy links may have, any ranking benefit the links may have previously generated for your site is lost. Any potential ranking benefits generated by those links cannot be regained."
What are your thoughts? How do you think this update will impact actual search rankings?