There was a Google core algorithm update during that time as well as a spam update. Google had released what they called the “helpful content update” in 2023 where they are trying to reward well written content that gives users value (solves a problem, answers a query well, etc). This did hurt a lot of small and independent publishers. They have been making adjustments and putting out smaller updates.

They are trying to get rid of the spammy crap in their search results that has popped up, but it’s Google and they constantly fuck things up.

The update rolling out now is meant to help address meaningful content that hurt some of those publishers in 2023.

Source: I am an SEO strategist for two major child care brands.

we were all dealing with the incident

Yeah... if you don't know, you are not in the need-to-know...

Sorry.

I haven't noticed. Have any specific examples?

Was there a change to YouTube's algorithm and/or payment structure around that time? This is not something I pay much attention to. But content creators complain about it frequently.

Not sure about the news or blogs. Unless their purpose was to drive traffic to their YouTube channels...?