Understanding Google’s Latest Algorithm
Google are perpetually rolling out brand new algorithms and updates to existing algorithms, and they’re at it again – this time with a major release. Here’s what we know so far.
Google announced on 1st August that they had started releasing a new core broad algorithm update, that would take about a week to roll out. The theme of this update is not yet known, but Google has declared that no changes are required by Webmasters,in order to avoid a penalty. Brash.
Previous updates, such as Google Penguin and Google Panda specifically looked at the quality of backlinks and quality of content respectively, advising webmasters to make significant improvements to backlinks and content, to meet the algorithm requirements and maximise rank potential. This time however, Google has so far not commented on the specifics. It has just said: ‘no fix’ is required and ‘as long as you are constantly and consistently striving to improve your website experience and content, you should be fine’. Again, brash.
Google’s algorithm updates collectively strive to improve the overall quality of its search results, but usually it provides a best practice guide with each update. The lack of one for this update does add an air of mystery and ambiguity, which is unnerving. Maybe it’s to minimise the attempts at trying to shortcut the system and manipulate rankings, but we highly doubt this is the reason. Google’s algorithms are highly sophisticated these days and it’s very hard to game their intelligent system.
What does Google’s new algorithm mean for web owners?
No need to panic just yet. If you are following white hat SEO practices, as outlined in Google’s best practice guide ad your SEO efforts are to create good quality content and a great user experience, you have nothing to worry about.
No technical changes are required, but that doesn’t mean you should sit back on it. This update seems quite major according to some of the metrics. In our experience, new updates take time to roll out and some websites might not see the effects right away. Over the coming weeks and months, we will be watching Moz’s forecast – an algorithm weather report, detecting ripples in the search engine results pages (SERPs). We will also be watching our clients’ traffic very closely, to make sure existing search rankings are not affected. If they are, we will seek to explore why.
The last word
As with all new algorithms and updates when they are released, we say the same thing, ‘if you or your agency are doing everything by the book – the book being Google’s best practice guidelines for white hat techniques, you have nothing to fear’.
Google is simply looking to promote sites that have been undervalued. It’s a broad update due to the time it’s taking to roll out, but it’s not expected to cause major fluctuations, unless you’re seriously risking things with black hat SEO practices. More information is expected be released by Google over the Autumn.
Are you worried about your website’s performance? Why not give usa call us on 01303 720 288. We are a highly experienced digital marketing agency based in Folkestone, Kent.