Google Algorithm refers to the set of rules and processes used by Google’s search engine to rank websites in search engine results pages (SERPs). The algorithm is designed to sort through the vast amount of data available on the internet and provide users with the most relevant and useful information for their search queries.
The Google Algorithm is constantly evolving and being updated to improve the quality of search results and combat spam. Some of the major updates to the algorithm include:
- Panda: Released in 2011, this update focused on reducing the rankings of low-quality websites and content farms.
- Penguin: Released in 2012, this update targeted websites that violated Google’s Webmaster Guidelines, such as those engaging in keyword stuffing and link schemes.
- Hummingbird: Released in 2013, this update focused on improving the algorithm’s ability to understand natural language and provide more accurate results for long-tail queries.
- Mobilegeddon: Released in 2015, this update gave preference to mobile-friendly websites in search results, as more and more users were accessing the internet through mobile devices.
- RankBrain: Released in 2015, this update incorporated artificial intelligence into the algorithm, allowing it to better understand the context and intent behind search queries.
- Fred: Released in 2017, this update targeted websites with low-quality content and affiliate links.
- Medic: Released in 2018, this update focused on improving the quality of health and wellness content in search results.
- BERT: Released in 2019, this update introduced a new way of understanding natural language and improved the algorithm’s ability to understand context and intent.
These are just a few examples of the many updates made to the Google Algorithm over the years. The algorithm is constantly evolving, and new updates are rolled out regularly to improve the quality of search results and provide a better user experience.