Keeping up With Google Algorithm Updates
Learning Google algorithm updates can be tricky since every update has different guidelines. It is essential for site owners to be updated with these updates since the ranking of their site will be dependent on the factors that the update will look into.
Read on to know how to keep up with Google algorithm updates.
An Overview on Google Algorithm Updates
You may not notice it, but Google actually updates its algorithm every day. The updates are usually for minor updates and fixing bugs. To give you an approximate, 500-600 updates are typically released by Google yearly.
From time to time, Google releases major algorithm updates to improve their user’s experience and ensure that they find the correct information they’re searching for quicker. Once an update has been rolled out, Google will reevaluate a website’s SERP ranking based on expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (E.A.T.).
Major updates are usually made to adjust how Google ranks different factors for its search results. That is why you should always keep an eye on these monumental changes so that you can easily adapt to the update.
When a Google Algorithm Update is released, websites and their components are greatly affected. Some of the components are:
Search Ranking and Visibility
Search ranking refers to your content’s rank on a SERP as determined by the current algorithm being used. On the other hand, visibility refers to how prominent a piece of content is displayed in search engine results. To increase these two, you must have excellent SEO strategies and a website that offers an exceptional user experience.
Organic Search Traffic
Organic-search traffic is the term used to describe visits to your website, which came from a search engine’s organic results and not paid advertisements.
Conversions
Conversion basically refers to the conversion that takes place when a visitor on a website makes a purchase. The conversion rate of a business highly influences the success of your business.
Importance of Monitoring the Latest Google Algorithm Update
Every year, Google releases a couple of big updates. If a significant update is released, it doesn’t mean that your website’s ranking will be significantly affected immediately. In fact, Google’s major update of 2019, the BERT algorithm, only affected 10% of all search results. The update was rolled out to improve how Google interpreted specific queries.
Google’s purpose in releasing BERT was to make it easier for Search to understand the nuance and context of words in Searches and match the queries to more relevant results. Updates like BERT aren’t made by Google to change the way site owners create content. Instead, it is meant to look for better, quality content that has already been on the Internet.
It is important that you are updated with algorithm updates since it is being used by Google to judge if you are providing a good user experience and relevant quality content. If you’re updated, then you’d know which to include and exclude in your website’s content based on the guidelines of the updates that have been made.
Most of the time, Google doesn’t tend to give out hints when they are about to launch an update. That is why it will be hard to prepare for an update. To counter this, it is vital to always ensure that your website provides its visitors an excellent user experience and is always up to date with SEO practices.
Tracking New Google Algorithm Updates
Google sometimes uses Twitter to confirm or deny a major algorithm update. So, tracking them can be somehow more manageable. However, for minor update announcements, Google leans on the secretive side since they frequently do the updates. Sometimes, an update will be rolled out every day or even twice a day, which means that constantly updating the public on changes can be pretty annoying for the users.
In tracking updates, you should be keen on the search engine itself. If you notice unusual changes like the number of search results or large fluctuations in results, this might mean that an update is taking place. Keep in mind, though, that sometimes, updates go on for a while.
While an update is happening, your site’s ranking can go up and down and then go back right to normal. When this happens, assure your client that this behavior is normal and is nothing to be alarmed about.
Keeping track of these Google algorithm updates is important since learning them takes weeks, and applying the changes on your sites will also take some time. If you are slow in understanding the guidelines of an update, your site might suffer the consequences of a low search ranking.
If you need help in improving your website’s online presence, including keeping up with Google algorithm updates, get in touch with My SEO Sucks now and book a demo.
Recent Noteworthy Google Algorithm Updates
- “Medic” Core Update – 2018
- Site Diversity June – 2019
- September Core – 2019
- BERT – October – 2019
- January Core Update – 2020
- May 2020 Core Update
How to Stay Ahead of Google Algorithm Updates
Staying ahead of new Google algorithms is difficult but not impossible. One thing that experts have noticed is that no matter how the algorithm changes, websites with quality, user-friendly content and good local SEO practices always show up on the first page of a search engine.
SEO can be your tool in staying ahead of Google algorithms. Here are the two types of SEO:
Onsite SEO
On-page SEO is focused on the website’s architecture as well as its contents. Having a good on-page SEO means that you are using modern coding languages and practices, and you have submitted a sitemap to Google. This helps Google’s crawl spiders to decipher your site’s purpose.
It is also essential to have well-researched keywords and long-tail keywords. Simply having keyword research isn’t enough to rank; you should also know how to structure these keywords into your copy and headers strategically.
Offsite SEO
Once you’ve successfully optimized your on-page SEO, it is time for you to launch an ongoing campaign for link building through blog outreach, quality directory listings, PR, and social media. Building a good backlink profile is one of the most effective ways to improve SEO. The purpose of a backlink is to let Google know that different authoritative sites are endorsing your site because it is relevant.
If you need more tips on keeping up with Google algorithms, getting in touch with a professional from MySEOSucks is your best option.
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FAQs for Google Algorithm Updates
How would I determine if my content qualifies as “quality content”?
You can say that your content is considered “quality content” if it has well-researched keywords, unique visitors view it and finishes the content, it engages the visitors, and it follows on-page SEO practices.
What are crawl spiders?
Crawl spiders are internet bots that browse the World Wide Web for Web Indexing. These crawlers are often operated by search engines.
What are the most common tools used in improving my website’s ranking?
Some of the tools you can use include Ahrefs, Moz, Google PageSpeed Insights, Google Analytics, Yoast, etc.
