Google algorithm updates are a frequent occurrence and a major talking point within the SEO community. The search engine giant is constantly tweaking its algorithms in an effort to improve the quality of its search results. While some of these updates are small and go unnoticed, others can have a significant impact on how websites are ranked. This can, in turn, have a knock-on effect on traffic levels and, ultimately, revenue. So, how do Google algorithm updates impact SEO? Let’s take a closer look.
Google’s Core Algorithms
- Google’s algorithms can broadly be divided into two google algorithm update december 2015 categories: core algorithms and minor algorithms. Core algorithms are the big ones, the updates that have the potential to change the game totally. Minor algorithms, on the other hand, are smaller tweaks that don’t tend to cause as much of a stir. That’s not to say that they’re unimportant; minor algorithms can still have a significant impact on SEO. However, it’s the core algorithm updates that really get people talking.
- Some of Google’s most notable core algorithm updates include “Panda,” which was designed to weed out low-quality content from search results, and “Hummingbird,” which was rolled out in an effort to make Google better at understanding searchers’ intent. Then there’s “Mobilegeddon,” which boosted the rankings of mobile-friendly websites in search results, and “Pigeon,” which improved local search results. These are just a few examples; there have been many other notable core algorithm updates over the years.
- Another update that’s worth mentioning is the “Fred” update, which rolled out in March 2017. Google has never officially confirmed the existence of this update, but there’s enough evidence to suggest that it did indeed happen. This was a major update that caused a lot of turbulence in the SEO world; many websites saw their traffic levels plummet overnight. The full extent of the update is not yet known, but it’s thought to be aimed at weeding out low-quality content from search results.
- One of the most frequent updates is the “Penguin” update, which is designed to catch sites that are violating Google’s guidelines on link building. This update has been rolled out several times over the years; the most recent version, Penguin 4.0, was released in September 2016.
- The bottom line is this: when a core algorithm update is rolled out by Google, it has the potential to change the SEO landscape totally. Obviously, this can be both good and bad news for website owners and digital marketers. On the one hand, it presents an opportunity to gain an edge over the competition; on the other hand, and it could mean having to rethink your existing SEO strategy totally.
Conclusion
No matter what your opinion is on Google’s frequent algorithm updates, one thing is sure: they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. As such, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with all the latest developments and adjust your SEO strategy accordingly. There’s no guarantee that your website will maintain its current position in search engine rankings following an update, but by keeping on top of things, you’ll at least give yourself a fighting chance.
