An algorithm change in search engine optimization (SEO) refers to when a search engine like Google updates the formula, rules, or procedures that determine how web pages and content are ranked in search results.
Examples of SEO algorithm changes include:
- Google Panda – Launched in 2011, this update was designed to improve Google's ability to assess site quality and penalize low quality sites with thin, low value content.
- Google Hummingbird – Rolled out in 2013, this update focused more on semantic search, understanding the meaning and context behind queries to provide more relevant results.
- Mobile-Friendly Update – In 2015, Google started giving preference in mobile search results to pages that provided a good mobile user experience.
- RankBrain – Introduced in 2015, this component uses machine learning to help interpret search queries, going beyond matching keywords to understand meaning and intent.
- Page Experience updates – Recent updates have factored in metrics like page speed, mobile friendliness, secure browsing, and the absence of intrusive interstitials.
The goal behind algorithm changes is to improve search quality and relevance.
As Google's algorithms evolve, sites need to continue optimizing for content quality, positive user experience, mobile optimization and overall authority and trust to maintain or improve their rankings.
Monitoring algorithm changes and adapting SEO strategies accordingly is key for ranking well.
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