Search results face a growing crisis as Google spam problem intensifies. AI tools flood the web with low-quality content, while spammers exploit expired domains and private blog networks. SEO expert Harry Clarkson-Bennett warns that Google struggles to keep up, despite updates to its SpamBrain system. Honest publishers lose ground as black-hat tactics dominate top rankings.
Key Reasons Behind Google’s Spam Problem
Clarkson-Bennett explains that AI has changed everything. Spammers now produce massive amounts of “AI slop” – thin, rewritten content that ranks well. Studies show over 50% of web content comes from AI, with some estimates higher. This scaled content abuse hits new highs, confusing Google’s algorithms.
Google spam problem is detected by Google’s SpamBrain, which detects spam through signals in four areas:
- Content quality
- Links
- Reputation
- User behavior
It clusters sites against known spammers and sets thresholds for penalties. Yet, the system lags against AI-driven tactics.
Major spam types Google targets include:
- Scaled content abuse from AI
- Expired domain abuse
- Private blog networks (PBNs)
- Site reputation abuse
- Link spam
- Fake news in Google Discover
Expired domain abuse stands out as a top issue in the Google spam problem. Spammers buy old, authoritative domains and repurpose them for gambling or crypto sites. They add redirects, exact-match anchors, and PBN links to boost “money” pages quickly. These short-term scams earn huge profits before detection.
PBNs help spread risk. Owners create networks of sites with unique hosting and IPs to pass authority indirectly.
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Google’s leaked data reveals strong focus on link signals like anchor text and velocity. Spikes in commercial anchors raise flags, triggering deeper checks. Clarkson-Bennett blames high AI search costs for diverting resources from spam fights. He predicts ongoing challenges for white-hat SEOs.
To combat Google spam problem, focus on high-quality, original content with strong E-E-A-T. Avoid
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