What are some of the most recognized Google search engine algorithms updates that you need to know of? Well, there are about 8 Google algorithms that are known to have heightened the SEO game and brought some of the most non expected changes in the SEO world.
These algorithm updates are not limited to:
- Panda
- Penguin
- Hummingbird
- Mobile
- RankBrain
- Medic
- Bert
- Core Updates
Over the last decade, there have been constant and several updates that have been done by Google but there are some 8 Google updates that will remain to be remembered in the SEO world. Google claims that it updates its search engine algorithms thousand times annually.
If you are not convinced about that, you need to have in mind that there are some updates that are very tiny to notice when using the search engine.
However, there are some occasions that are rarely witnessed when Google chooses to change the SEO pillars and how it is done. These changes though rarely witnessed, do change most of the concepts about SEO and many of the practices that we usually do.
Overview
With that said, in this article, we are going to count down about eight of the most pillar search algorithm changes ever witnessed. We are also going to discuss what triggered these changes, how they work and also what you can do to cope up with the most recent critical algorithm changes.
Wait, before you opt in, it’s better to figure out if you have ever been impacted by an algorithm update, right? To figure out, you need to launch the Rank Tracker, proceed by syncing it with your Google Analytics account and then check on the Organic Traffic.
All you should do is to hover your mouse over the dash lines that are on the graph so that you can see if some of the algorithm updates match your site’s traffic alterations.
Having done that and noticed some algorithm updates that might have altered your site’s traffic changes, let’s dive in!
1. Panda
Date: 24 February, 2011
Hazards: Duplicate, plagiarized, thin content – user generated spam – keyword stuffing
How Panda Works
Ever heard of Panda update? If so, do you know how it works? If no, then here’s all you need to know about Panda and how it performs its operations. Well, the Panda algorithm update allocates the “quality score” to the web pages.
The allocated score is then used as a ranking factor. At first when newly introduced, its impacts appeared to be mild until late in January 2016 when it was permanently incorporated into Google's core algorithm. Hence, from that time, the rollouts have been more consistent making the Panda penalties and recoveries to happen within the blink of an eye as compared to the earlier times.
How to cope up with the Panda Algorithm Update
If you want to adjust with the Panda algorithm update and be on the safer sides, all you need to do is to perform consistent regular checks for:
- Content duplications
- Thinner content
- Keyword stuffing
When using the WebSite Auditor’s new Content Editor module, you will be evading potential penalties and also come up with pages that are free from risk of unintentional keyword stuffing.
Again, Content Editor analyzes all the pages that might be your rival and also offers SEO recommendations on some of the content that has already proved to be successful in Google search.
Lastly, if you want to check if your content has already been published in the web, you can opt to use some of the plagiarism checkers such as Copyscape and also Quetext.
2. Penguin
Date: 24 April, 2012
Hazards: Spammy and also links that are considered to be irrelevant – links that have over optimized anchor texts.
How Penguin Algorithm Update Works
The main goal of the Penguin algorithm is to down-rank sites that prove to have backlinks that appear to be unnatural. The main goal of this update is to bring to an end low-effort link building such as purchasing links from link farms and also PBNs.
How to cope up with the Penguin Algorithm Update
Here, all you need to consider your website safe from penalties, you need to keep on monitoring your link profile’s growth and also opt to running consistent audits using a backlink checker such as the SEO SpyGlass.
3. Hummingbird
Date: 22 August, 2013
Hazards: low-quality content and also Keyword stuffing.
How Hummingbird Algorithm Update Works
Ever heard of someone emphasizing on the content that is more user intent as one of the best SEO practices? If not, here is where the Hummingbird algorithm update comes in!
The hummingbird algorithm update task is mainly to aid Google in interpreting the search queries and more so on the offering results that perfectly matches the searcher intent that are not equal to the individual terms that are typed into the search box!
Even though keywords are considered to be critical, hummingbird algorithm updates ensure that your site still ranks even without the keywords since it majors on the searcher intent.
4. Mobile
Date: 21 April, 2015
Hazards: Absence of a mobile version of the page – poor mobile usability.
How Mobile Algorithm Update Works
The number of mobile users is on the rise as compared to the use of desktop thus the need to make your site easy to use with a mobile phone. As you read this article, Google ranks all the sites based on how fast they are, user friendly and also if there are mobile versions.
How to cope up with the Mobile Algorithm Update
All you need to do here is to mainly optimize your site in that it's fast, easy to use and also friendly to mobile phone users and everything will be fine on your end.
Other Google Search Engine Algorithms you need to know
- RankBrain
- Medic
- Bert