What is Google's Core Algorithm?
Google sent the SEO world into a tizzy earlier this week by confirming a suspicion of many webmasters: The search engine had made a change to its "core" algorithm:
For the casual SEO observer algorithm changes might seem like a whole lot of hoopla. As the search engine noted in its tweet from March (referenced above): "Each day, Google usually releases one or more changes designed to improve our results."
However, Google only makes "core algorithm" changes several times per year.
Most observers do not notice the day-to-day changes, but core algorithm changes do have significant real world impacts. As Search Engine Land noted in its post about the recent change: "The search community noticed shifts in rankings and traffic" that very morning.
One webmaster noted a 20% decline in traffic. Another webmaster, noting that his main site had lost "all page 1 rankings," grumbled, "Game over." And one webmaster, whose site, hurt by the latest change in March, went from 80k to "peanuts," moaned about this new change, "I am done."
Google, perhaps trying to assuage these dour webmasters, noted in its announcement: "As with any update, some sites may note drops or gains. There’s nothing wrong with pages that may now perform less well."
Sounds like a breakup, doesn't it?
What is Google's Core Algorithm?
Google changes its algorithm hundreds of times every year. Most of these changes are relatively negligible, but a few times each year Google makes a significant update that really do influence search rankings. Over the years, Google has named some of these updates--Panda, for example, Penguin, and more recently, Hummingbird.
Each of these updates effected major aspects of search. Panda (released in 2011), was the first update to truly distinguish sites with high quality, original content. Penguin, released a year later, focused on eliminating bad links. Hummingbird, released in 2013, attempted to better understand each user's query by analyzing more complex search terms (such as voice-based searches).
The difference between these updates, specifically, and the "core" algorithm is largely semantic.
The "core" algorithm is the nature of the search engine itself--often referred to as PageRank. Google has clarified their top three ranking factors, links, content, and RankBrain, but the search engine uses "200 unique signals or 'clues' that make it possible to surface what you might be looking for" (Source: Google).
Calibrating any of these 200 ranking factors likely accounts for the "core" algorithm change.
How to Survive Algorithm Changes
Why do we note these distinctions? By learning how and why Google changes algorithm, SEOs try to keep pace with the exact type of website Google prefers. However, in the end, the best way to "survive" the algorithm changes is to produce high quality, relevant content with the appropriate technical optimizations. Here are a few suggestions:
Remember, SEO is a complex, evolving affair. To keep pace, you may need to track the algorithm changes. On other other hand, SEO is not obscure. With a little patience, you can understand the basics. Unfortunately, too many website owners, perplexed by SEO jargon, avoid SEO entirely. If you're promoting your own brand online, this is a terrible practice. We suggest two alternatives:
1. Learn the practice for yourself
2. Find an SEO who can explain SEO in simple terms.
At the Organic SEO Blog, we pride ourselves on simplicity. We democratize SEO by explaining its elements clearly. If you ever have questions about our posts, please leave a comment. Or better yet, call our blog's sponsor, Alex Stepman.
Organic SEO with Stepman's SEO
If you're looking for an online marketing firm who explains the process of SEO clearly and effectively, contact our sponsor, Stepman's SEO: 215-900-9398.
Stepman's SEO combines traditional marketing methods and organic SEO--with an emphasis on natural website optimization--to design thoughtful, inspiring, and effective content marketing campaigns.
This week we released a broad core algorithm update, as we do several times per year. Our guidance about such updates remains the same as in March, as we covered here: https://t.co/uPlEdSLHoX— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) August 1, 2018
For the casual SEO observer algorithm changes might seem like a whole lot of hoopla. As the search engine noted in its tweet from March (referenced above): "Each day, Google usually releases one or more changes designed to improve our results."
However, Google only makes "core algorithm" changes several times per year.
Most observers do not notice the day-to-day changes, but core algorithm changes do have significant real world impacts. As Search Engine Land noted in its post about the recent change: "The search community noticed shifts in rankings and traffic" that very morning.
One webmaster noted a 20% decline in traffic. Another webmaster, noting that his main site had lost "all page 1 rankings," grumbled, "Game over." And one webmaster, whose site, hurt by the latest change in March, went from 80k to "peanuts," moaned about this new change, "I am done."
Google, perhaps trying to assuage these dour webmasters, noted in its announcement: "As with any update, some sites may note drops or gains. There’s nothing wrong with pages that may now perform less well."
Sounds like a breakup, doesn't it?
 |
| It's not you. It's me. [Photo source] |
What is Google's Core Algorithm?
Google changes its algorithm hundreds of times every year. Most of these changes are relatively negligible, but a few times each year Google makes a significant update that really do influence search rankings. Over the years, Google has named some of these updates--Panda, for example, Penguin, and more recently, Hummingbird.
Each of these updates effected major aspects of search. Panda (released in 2011), was the first update to truly distinguish sites with high quality, original content. Penguin, released a year later, focused on eliminating bad links. Hummingbird, released in 2013, attempted to better understand each user's query by analyzing more complex search terms (such as voice-based searches).
The difference between these updates, specifically, and the "core" algorithm is largely semantic.
The "core" algorithm is the nature of the search engine itself--often referred to as PageRank. Google has clarified their top three ranking factors, links, content, and RankBrain, but the search engine uses "200 unique signals or 'clues' that make it possible to surface what you might be looking for" (Source: Google).
Calibrating any of these 200 ranking factors likely accounts for the "core" algorithm change.
How to Survive Algorithm Changes
Why do we note these distinctions? By learning how and why Google changes algorithm, SEOs try to keep pace with the exact type of website Google prefers. However, in the end, the best way to "survive" the algorithm changes is to produce high quality, relevant content with the appropriate technical optimizations. Here are a few suggestions:
- Write new content that targets appropriate keywords
- Focus on the value for users that search for your brand, product, or service
- Offer truly useful information about your brand, product, or service
- Refresh and improve any content that dropped in rankings
Remember, SEO is a complex, evolving affair. To keep pace, you may need to track the algorithm changes. On other other hand, SEO is not obscure. With a little patience, you can understand the basics. Unfortunately, too many website owners, perplexed by SEO jargon, avoid SEO entirely. If you're promoting your own brand online, this is a terrible practice. We suggest two alternatives:
1. Learn the practice for yourself
2. Find an SEO who can explain SEO in simple terms.
At the Organic SEO Blog, we pride ourselves on simplicity. We democratize SEO by explaining its elements clearly. If you ever have questions about our posts, please leave a comment. Or better yet, call our blog's sponsor, Alex Stepman.
Organic SEO with Stepman's SEO
If you're looking for an online marketing firm who explains the process of SEO clearly and effectively, contact our sponsor, Stepman's SEO: 215-900-9398.
Stepman's SEO combines traditional marketing methods and organic SEO--with an emphasis on natural website optimization--to design thoughtful, inspiring, and effective content marketing campaigns.
What is Google's Core Algorithm?
Reviewed by penulis
on
06.22
Rating:
Reviewed by penulis
on
06.22
Rating:
Post a Comment