What is the Google Algorithm?
PageRank (PR) is an algorithm used by Google Search to rank websites in its search engine results. Google makes changes to its ranking algorithm almost every year.
In previous years Google made a small update to its algorithm. Now Google makes thousands of updates every year.
Google implements most of the changes that are minor, sometimes it implements major algorithm updates like Panda, Top Heavy, Penguin, Pirate, Hummingbird, Pigeon, Possum, Mobile which impact the SERPs significantly.
1. Google Panda:
Release date: February 2011
Risk: low quality content, plagiarized or thin content.
In February 2011Google releases the first updates called google panda. It means reducing low-quality content, thin content in search results, and returning unique and engaging content. Panda is updated every time by Google.
2. Google Penguin:
Release date: April 2012
Risk: Spam or irrelevant links, paid links.
In April 2012Google introduced the penguin update to remove bad links or irrelevant links. when paid links are available, the website will be penalized. When a new Penguin update is released, sites that have taken steps to remove bad links (using Google’s link disavow tool).
3. Google Hacks:
Release date: August 2012
Risk: Copy contents, copyright infringement reports.
In August 2012Google released the pirate update algorithmic changes that penalized sites frequently accused of hacking. The reason for the pirated updates was to penalize sites with repeated copyright infringements, as brought out by Google. DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) system.
4.Google Hummingbird:
Release date: August 2013
Risk: keyword stuffing; low quality content.
In August 2013Google released the hummingbird update to produce more relevant search results by better understanding the conversations and the meaning behind the queries. While relevant synonym keywords continue to be important, carefully research related searches and competing terms.
5. Google Dove:
Release date: July 2014
Risk: Poorly optimized pages.
In July 2014Google released the pigeon update to provide high-quality and relevant local search results. A good starting point is to run an analysis on the page with Website auditor. The control panel of the tool will give you a good idea about the optimization aspects on the page.
6. Google mobile (Mobilegedion):
Release Date: April 2015
Risk: Bad mobile compatibility.
In April 2015Google released a new mobile friendly classification algorithm. Google mobile update (Geddon Mobile) ensures that mobile-optimized pages will rank at the top of mobile search, while pages that are not mobile-responsive will rank lower on the search engine results page and your website is not optimized for mobile traffic.
7.RankBrain:
Release Date: October 2015
Risk: Poor user experience, lack of query-specific relevance features.
In October 2015Google released the RankBrain Update it’s machine learning where a computer teaches itself how to do something, which helps Google process some of your most relevant search results. Keep an eye on the user experience factors of your website or blogs in Google Analytics, in particular Bounce rate and session duration.
8. Opossum:
Release Date: September 2016
Risk: Tight competition in your target location.
In September 2016Google launched a new algorithm Opossum to update Google Maps local search results, search engine location and business address. To deliver better and more diverse results based on location and address.
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