Google’s algorithms are a complex system used to retrieve data from its search index and instantly provide the best possible results for a query. The search engine uses a combination of algorithms and numerous ranking factors to deliver web pages ranked by relevance on results pages.
In its early years, Google only made a handful of updates to its algorithms. Now Google makes thousands of changes every year.
Most of these updates are so small that they go completely unnoticed. However, on occasion, the search engine is rolling out major algorithmic updates that have a significant impact on SERPs.
Understanding Google Algorithms
Google algorithms are the sets of rules that Google uses to rank websites in search results. Google’s complex system takes data from pages and tries to understand what people are searching for and rank pages based on relevance and quality.
Google algorithms follow the same basic definition and rule of a mathematical algorithm. Remember your last Google search. Whether you typed in “cat videos” or “accessories store in Paris,” the search engine produced millions of results for you to choose from.
But how did he decide which results to show you, and in what order?
Google indeed has a very complex algorithm for serving search results, and it changes frequently. And while the company doesn’t make the exact algorithm public, here are a few things we know to impact a page’s ability to appear in results for certain keywords:
- The presence of the keyword in the page title, header tags and meta description
- The amount of natural organic links to the page
- How the website works on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets
Of course, these are just some of the characteristics that Google’s algorithm explores to determine how to deliver and rank pages. There are probably hundreds more.
The role of the Google algorithm in SEO
As we have already clarified, the Google algorithm uses keywords in part to determine page rankings. The best way to rank for specific keywords is by doing SEO.
SEO is basically a way of telling Google that a website or web page is about a particular topic.
Years ago, it was common for many sites to turn their content into keywords. Basically, they assumed that Google’s algorithm would think that the more keywords are mentioned, the more important the page should be.
Once Google realized this, they changed their algorithm to penalize sites that stuff their pages with keywords, along with many other “Black Hat” SEO practices. For this reason, you should avoid any tactic that is done with the aim of outperforming search engines. Although they may not notice right away, Google will eventually notice what you are trying to do, and your rankings will be impacted.
Conclusion
It becomes practical to recognize the power of the Google algorithm, and try to produce the best website possible. This way, visitors will be satisfied with what they see.
If you need help optimizing your site for the Google algorithm, don’t hesitate to contact us! Our dedicated team of SEO experts are more than happy to help you implement a strategy to rank well in search engines and attract more traffic to the site.
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