Google releases algorithm updates every now and then. Most are minute tweaks here and there. But, some Google algorithm updates have made a significant impact on Google SERPs over the years. In this article we will be taking a look at some of the most influential algorithm updates. So, let’s get started.
Panda (February 24, 2011)
In an effort to clean up Google search results, Google released an algorithm that was codenamed Panda. Simply out, Google Panda algorithm is essentially a filter. Certain elements of a website can trigger the algorithm to lower or improve its rank. Panda’s goal was to lower the ranks of thin content or duplicate content sites in order to return high-quality search results to the users.
So, a URL with low word count (say a 100 words) or multiple URLs with the same content is not good in the eyes of the Panda.
Penguin (April 24, 2012)
The goal of Penguin was to weed out the websites that have used unnatural backlinks in order to rank higher in Google results. While Penguin looks at other aspects as well, links are the most important factor for it to measure up a site’s rank.
Any link that is a part of any link scheme and violates Google’s Webmaster Guidelines, created with the intention of getting a higher rank, is an unnatural link.
Hummingbird (August 22, 2013)
Hummingbird was an attempt by Google to provide better responses to voice queries. Really what we want to see on web pages now in regards to Hummingbird is answers to questions, facts, statistics, dense articles. That type of information started getting surfaced a lot more after the Hummingbird update.
Pigeon (July 24, 2014 (US) and December 22, 2014 (Australia, Canada and the UK))
Pigeon was more about local search. So “SEO company in Mumbai” for example, has a local element to it. There are a few things that happen in a local search. You have the Google listings that show up there for your places and then you have the regular HTML URLs. What Pigeon did was look at different pieces of content that are associated with these local listings.
One of the main things was, do they mention surrounding areas or neighbourhoods? So, not just Mumbai, say Malad or Nerul or Ghatkopar etc. would kind of further enforce that location.
Mobile (April 21, 2015)
The Mobile update made sure that web pages not optimized for mobile will be ranked much lower compared to a mobile-friendly website.
RankBrain (October 26, 2015)
According to Google, RankBrain is a very important ranking factor to be considered. It works perfectly in tandem with Hummingbird and correctly understands the meaning behind each query in order to serve the best results.
Possum (September 1, 2016)
The Possum update too concerned itself with local searches but it was quite particular in its approach. It had more to do with business addresses and decided when they would show up in the local search results.
Fred (March 8, 2017)
Fred update targets websites with low-quality posts that exist for the sole purpose of generating ad revenue. It penalises websites that violate the Google’s webmaster guidelines.
Bottom line
It is imperative for you to realize when Google comes up with a major algorithm update amidst the not-so-important ones. This will help you to fully understand the changes in rankings and organic web traffic, and in turn, improve search engine optimization.
