In order to understand google page ranking strategy, first we need to understand different algorithm updates that Google introduced over the years to optimize users’ experience.
What is algorithms?
Google’s algorithms are a complicated system that allows google to rank webpages based on their relevance on its search engine results pages (SERPs).
Top 6 Google Algorithm updates
1. Panda
2. Penguin
3. Hummingbird
4. Rankbrain
5. Page Experience Update
6. Broad Core Update 2024
Let’s understand all these algorithms one by one
1. Panda
Google introduced panda update in 2011, in this algorithm Google aimed to lower the rank of “low quality sites” or “thin sites”. The websites which were directly copying the content from other websites, such websites were deranked or in some cases websites were blocked. Websites which had low quality content were given low ranking.
2. Penguin
In 2012 Google introduced another new update which is called Penguin update. In this update Google aimed to identifying poor quality website based upon backlinks. Websites which were creating backlinks unnaturally, Google deranked such websites. Links were created unnaturally to original website which lead to link spamming. Google removed such websites by introducing Penguin update
3. Hummingbird
Google introduced Hummingbird update in 2013, in this algorithm Google aimed to focus on actual meaning behind search query rather then just focusing on keywords only. Google started to focus on semantic meaning of the question. For example, a search for “What is the closest place to buy grocery from my home?” before Hummingbird update search engine would have likely focused on keywords such as “buy” and “grocery”, possible returning results for grocery store or articles related grocery. After the introduction of Hummingbird update, Google started taking into consideration the semantic meaning of the query. Google understands “closest place” indicates a need for local search results, “buy” suggests a commercial intent, and “my home “indicates that the user is looking for an area nearby. Thus, the search engine would return a map of nearby grocery shops or a list of local businesses that sell grocery.
4. Rankbrain
Google introduced Rankbrain update in 2015, in this algorithm google focused on machine learning to improve the user’s experience. After this update, Google introduced its “OK google” assistant, which increased more interaction with users. This update aimed to provide best relevant result to its user, after this only user intended keyword came into picture.
5. Page Experience Update
A page experience update introduced by Google in 2021, it aimed to improve the quality, relevancy and overall user experience of its search results. So whenever a user is visiting a website, what experience he is having, so whichever website the user experience is good, loading time is low, stable pages are there and quality content is present, google will give higher ranking to all such website on search engine result page.
6. Broad Core Update
Google introduced Broad Core Update in 2024, it aimed to downrank the websites which are using AI generated content. It also focuses on downrank the websites which do not add much value to the users and simply are created for search engine instead of for people.
