Algorithm updates are a change or improvement in how the search engine reads and understands a Google user. The algorithm is constantly building a profile on a user then uses this to deliver personalised search results.
Google’s aim is to provide a search engine that takes the world’s information and makes it accessible and useful. By updating their algorithms and adding new features it keeps the search engine fresh and tweaked for user preferences.
If you’re a website owner (Which I presume is the reason you’re reading this blog) it is vital to know your site will never stay the same within the search results. Algorithm updates can cause fluctuations to your rankings and also introduce penalties for sites that fall outside the webmaster guidelines. With this in mind the aim of ranking high for your targeted terms becomes a constant uphill battle.
An example of a major algorithm update is the “Medic Update” from August 2018, which is believed to have affected mainly websites within the health, medical, and fitness niches.
This week we released a broad core algorithm update, as we do several times per year. Our guidance about such updates remains the same as in March, as we covered here: https://t.co/uPlEdSLHoX
— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) August 1, 2018
Some sites were winners from this update, and others were losers – Meaning that some sites increased in performance and some declined. Google never released a full statement on what exactly the update changed (They rarely do with broad core algorithm changes). Google’s only advice was to continue on building great content and that were “no fixes” if your site did drop in rankings.
As mentioned above, in many of these algorithm updates if there was a decrease for your site then there are no set fixes to bump you up again. What is important is to have your site Moz’s Algorithm History and Search Engine Roundtable. Both of these sites provide indepth information on the major and many minor updates.
If you believe your site is currently “sitting still” and poorly optimised then feel free to get in touch on 01202 677 277 for a no obligation discussion regarding your website.