What is there to learn about SEO from Google’s past Algorithm Updates?
If you are planning to level up your ranking and reach on Google, small updates in Google Algorithm can spoil your plan. And, also you can’t do anything about it as the Google Algorithm changes frequently.
Table of Content
- What is Google Algorithm?
- Google Algorithm Updates in Past Years
- 01. Product Review
- 02. Snippet Deduplication
- 03. BERT
- 04. Broad Core Algorithm
- 05. Fred
- 06. Intrusive
- 07. Penguin
- 08. Mobilegeddon
- 09. Hummingbird
- 10. Panda
- Identify the new Google Algorithm Updates and Effects on Site
- 01. Don’t wait for the official announcement
- 02. Keep a track of website metrics
- 03. Use Algorithm Update Trackers
- Recovery from Algorithm Penalties
- Protection from the Penalties
- Conclusion – The final words!
Keyword stuffing was one of the excellent strategies and now you might be charged a penalty for this. It’s quite volatile and a user has to make big changes with the new updates. And, if your website doesn’t follow the guidelines of the new Algorithm updates; you might be penalised by Google.
What is Google Algorithm?
Google Algorithm is a system used to retrieve data from the search index and provide the best result by using the combination of algorithms and numerous ranking factors to deliver the most relevant results in the Search Engine Results Pages.
In the beginning, Google used to make a few updates, but now every year thousands of new changes are introduced in the Google Algorithm.
Most of the updates are slight, and they remain unnoticed for a long time. Most of the updates significantly affect the SERP, such as:
- Fred
- Intrusive Update
- Panda
- Penguin
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Google Algorithm Updates in Past Years
With the advancement of technology, Google has updated its algorithm to optimize the content posted on it. Here we did research and dig out the Google Algorithm updates that teach about the changes happened in past years in Search Engine Optimization:
01. Product Review Update - Dec 2021
The recent review update is a product review update that began rolling out for English language apps and will nearly take 3 weeks to complete.
02. Featured Snippet Deduplication - January 2020
The pages who have snipped position will no longer be part of the organic listing of Page1. It 100% affected all search listings.
03. BERT Update - October 2019
BERT update was considered as the biggest one in the last 5 years. BERT was introduced to understand search queries. It affected both search rankings and feature snippets.
04. Broad Core Algorithm Update - March 2018
Google announced that this new update was meant to benefit the pages that were under-rewarded and asked users to keep providing their best content.
05. Fred - March 2017
This update targeted low value content. Also, Google refuses to specify the changes. Instead, ask to find all the answers in Google’s Webmaster Quality Guidelines.
06. Intrusive - August 2016
Google announced that with intrusive updates, it will target the intrusive interstitials and pop ups that trouble the search experience. It didn’t affect the website much.
07. Penguin - Sept 2016
The Penguin Update 4.0 & Core Algorithm Integration was the final update of Penguin, where the websites started evaluating in real time. This update downgrades the links, instead of rankings.
08. Mobilegeddon - 2015
The new update of Google has a global effect on the search engine rankings on mobile devices irrespective of languages and applied to individual pages too. The update was cleared either your website will be mobile-friendly or it wasn’t, there is no in-between.
09. Hummingbird - 2013
This update was about showing relevant results with similar keywords used in it. It taught markets to optimize content for the main search using relevant keywords. Marketers started focusing on the quality of content with this new algorithm update.
10. Panda - 2011
Panda update was about prioritizing high-quality content and penalizing content with keyword stuffing. It taught marketers that content quality matters and duplicating content will no longer work to improve search ranking.
Identify the new Google Algorithm Updates and Effects on Site
If you are worried about the overnight updates in Google Algorithm ruining your SEO strategy, here are the tips to spot the new updates as soon as it is released:
- Don’t wait for the official announcement
Many changes in Google Algo happen frequently and are then informed later. Moreover, Google is not always transparent about the changes and new updates. Don’t wait for the official announcement.
- Keep a track of website metrics
Change in the website is the biggest indicator of the new update in the Google Algorithm. Check whether your views dropped suddenly? Are you seeing massive traffic on your website from nowhere? It happens based on the updates, where either google is rewarding or penalizing you based on new rules.
- Use Algorithm Update Trackers
If you can’t track the updates directly, why not try external resources like blogs, websites, or tools that track updates.
- Blogs – Many bloggers are there who post the latest updates related to Google Algorithm whenever any update happens.
- Moz Update History maintains a quick up-to-date list of Google algo updates.
- SEMrush sensor tool measures volatility in search of better results.
- Hiring an SEO expert can also assist you with the new updates.
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Recovery from Algorithm Penalties
If you suspect, that Google Algorithm has penalized your website, follow the below steps to maintain the ranking:
- Find out the reason
Check out the recent updates of Google first. Look for duplicate content, faulty backlinks or unwanted keyword stuffing. Find out the reason before taking any action.
- Do Algorithm friendly changes
Once you track down the potential reasons, now make Algorithm friendly changes and be back in the game. Few changes like spammy links, re-do duplicate posts and other user experience.
Protection from the Penalties
If you don’t want to be hit by the penalties due to new updates in Google Algorithm, protect your website in advance. Check out the following steps:
- Keep track of Backlinks
According to past updates and changes, Google algorithms don’t spare spammy backlinks. To prevent your website from such a penalty, monitor all the backlinks by using the backlink checker tool and remove all the inappropriate links.
- Look for copied content
For marketing, if you frequently outsource the content, check it and avoid posting copied content. The identical content makes it challenging for Google to rank the sites. Your website might end up at low ranking and a similar website might steal your chance of being the top website.
Or if your website already has duplicate content, either delete it or edit and repost it.
- User-friendly Layout
No user wants to go through the advertisement or navigation menus while making any search. All they want is to directly see the content.
Consisting too many ads might lead you to the penalty, due to the requirement for a long time before accessing the main content. Time to rearrange the website content.
Conclusion
The constant need to improve the services inspires Google to bring regular updates for better search results. In the early years of Google, it was quite easy for users to identify the Google Algorithm updates, as it happened rarely. Over the team, Google Algorithms started updating, many times in one year. To improve the Search Results Pages, Digital Marketing efforts and for a better ranking of sites, small changes are done every month. If you can’t keep the track of such updates, contact experts.
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