Google algorithm or PageRank is actually a set of math algorithms used by the search engine to determine the relevance of a website on the SERP. In other words, it’s the list of criteria through which Google ranks a website in the search results.
The more a website follows the requirements of an algorithm, the more possibilities it will have to appear among the first search results, and then, to obtain more traffic and more potential clients.
The SEO or search engine optimization is the set of strategies we follow to adapt to that algorithm so that our content gets better ranked.
What is Google algorithm for?
The ultimate mission of PageRank is to facilitate the access to quality information –to help people find what they are looking for, as easy as possible. While many millions of websites are competing for digital traffic, it is necessary to classify them according to their relevance, in terms of the users’ needs.
The criteria for determining this relevance has changed in time, evolving since 1999, when PageRank was licensed. It has turned from quite a basic algorithm to the most sophisticated artificial intelligences.
What are Google algorithm updates for?
The updates help improve the criteria for determining a site’s relevance and avoid the so-called Black Hat SEO, or unethical ranking strategies.
For instance, before the update of Panda algorithm, it was possible to rank a website resorting to the keyword stuffing, that is, stuffing a text with key words.
Before the Penguin update you could resort to artificial links with low or no quality.
Hummingbird facilitated more natural and efficient interpretations of the real intention behind each search, which leads to creating better quality content. Besides, Pigeon has increased quality and safety of local searches.
Finally, Google Owl is an algorithm that was designed to identify subtleties which show some content is low quality, copied, offensive, with fake news, etc.
Besides these major updates, it is estimated that Google algorithms change, even slightly, up to 500 times a year, and most of them without previous notice. This is what makes SEO such a complex field.
You might also be interested in: What is Keyword Stuffing?
To learn more about Google algorithm
As you can see, knowing the Google algorithm and keeping updated on its changes is the basis for a good SEO, key to any digital marketing strategy. In order to learn more about this, we have selected a set of high quality web resources:
- How Google and its algorithm work – By Wordtracker
- Search Engine Optimization and Google Ranking – By Advanton
- The Definitive Guide To SEO In 2020 – By Backlinko
- SEO Guide 2020: How I Get 5,000 Visitors a day to my website – By Udemy
- The Ultimate Google Algorithm Cheat Sheet – By Neil Patel
- Google Algorithm Changes History – By Moz
- The Ultimate Google Algorithm Cheat Sheet – By Neil Patel
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