Everything You Need to Know About Google Algorithm Updates

Google’s algorithm is designed to sort through and rank billions of webpages and other content “to present the most relevant, useful results in a fraction of a second.”

Some of the factors Google uses to rank content have been announced to the public. Many others are speculation.

Overall, there are believed to be over 200 ranking factors in Google’s algorithm. 

Google is constantly making small updates to this algorithm, but there are also a dozen or so major updates announced each year that marketers and business owners should be aware of. Algorithm updates can coincide with significant changes to search engine results pages, which means your website can lose valuable rankings — and even dropping a few spots can make a big difference when it comes to your organic traffic. 

According to Search Engine Journal, the top three results in Google Search drive the majority of organic traffic; click-through rates for these positions are 28.5%, 15%, and 11%, respectively. By the time you get to the bottom of page one, the click-through rate is only 2.5%! 

No matter what algorithm update is coming your way, you want to make sure you are following SEO best practices

Knowing what’s coming with algorithm updates can help you avoid or mitigate potential damage to your keyword rankings. It can also help you better optimize your website to improve rankings and edge out the competition. 

Here’s what you need to know about Google’s algorithm updates, including tips for optimizing your website:

Google Algorithm FAQs

Tips for optimizing your website for Google’s algorithm updates

The best way to optimize for Google’s algorithm updates is to be proactive and follow SEO best practices. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Technical SEO. Technical SEO is the foundation of a strong website. The health of your website’s code and performance can directly impact your organic visibility. 
  • Content. Content needs to be well-written, in-depth, and provide valuable information to the reader. It must also follow SEO best practices for optimization so search engines can understand and rank it appropriately.
  • Backlinks. Backlinks are a key ranking factor in Google’s algorithm. The websites that link to yours should be authoritative and relevant.

We’ve compiled a list of tip sheets and downloads with simple steps anyone can take to improve their online visibility. Covering these SEO basics will help safeguard your keyword rankings during broad algorithm updates. 

For algorithm updates focused on specific ranking factors, we recommend keeping an eye on Google Search Central for news on the most recent updates, how they work, and what those changes mean for your website. This can help you make any necessary adjustments to your SEO strategy. 
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