Google algorithms are sets of commands written for feedback with search results relevant to the queries made. Google algorithms do work for you by searching out Web pages that contain the keywords used to search, and then assign a rank to every page based on several factors like how many pages.

Importantly, Google algorithms partly use keywords to determine page rank. The most effective route to rank for specific keywords is by using SEO. Though a Digital Marketing Agency, Search Engine Optimization practically tells Google search engine that a particular website or web page is specifically talking about the topic.

Major Google Algorithm Updates and their Significant Impact

Google often issues frequent and periodic updates that address specific areas of concern for websites. Since the inception of Google Algorithm updates, there have been major and minor updates all with special significance. The major Google Algorithms updates till date are:

1. Panda Algorithm

Release Date: February 24^th, 2011

Google Panda Algorithm update was the first major algorithm update. Google’s first major algorithm was the Google Panda update and it’s also the first comprehensive update for modern SEO. Panda algorithm update tried to address the issue of websites that purely looked for ranking in the search engines. Panda primarily looked at on-page factors. It determined whether websites offered information about the search terms visitors used.

Impact of Google Panda Algorithm Update

•  Affiliate sites (sites which mainly link to other pages).
•  Sites with very little or thin content.
•  Making sites filled low-quality pages.
•  Permanently affects SEO and website owners.

Google periodically used the Panda algorithm after its initial release and instituted Panda in the core algorithms in 2016. Panda algorithm update has permanently affected SEO since website owners cannot get away with making sites filled with low-quality pages.

2. Penguin Algorithm

Release Date: April 24th, 2012

Google’s Penguin Algorithm update looked at links websites got from other sites.  Penguin analyzed if backlinks to a website were genuine, or bought to trick the search engines. Previously, lots of sites paid for links as a shortcut to boost SERP rankings. Google’s Penguin Algorithm update aimed at stopping buying, exchanging, and artificially creating backlinks. If artificial backlinks existed on sites, Google gave negative value to the site rather than the positive link value it would have previously received. The Penguin update ran several times since it first appeared and Google added it to the core algorithm in 2016.

Impact of Google Penguin Algorithm Update

• Penguin Algorithm hit websites with several artificial backlinks hard. The sites were no longer in the search results since low-quality links gave a negative than positive impact on rankings.
• Penguin permanently altered link building as there is no gain in paid backlinks.
• Penguin rewarded the work of building a real backlink building strategy to acquire relevant backlinks from high-value sources.

3. Hummingbird Algorithm

Release Date: August 22, 2013

Hummingbird Algorithm update witnessed Google layout the foundation for voice-based search since several digital devices like (Google’s Home and Alexa). Hummingbird has since then paid attention to every word in a search query. It tries to make sure that the entire search phrase considered rather than just specific words. This helps give exact results relevant to the search query or term.

Impact of Google Hummingbird Algorithm Update

• Hummingbird Algorithm update enforced readable SEO copy using simple language.
• It also looked over-optimization for similar few words but adopt synonyms instead.

4. Pigeon

Release Date: 22nd July and 24th December

The Pigeon Algorithm update mainly affected searches where user location was vital. Pigeon Algorithm established a linkage between the local algorithm and the core algorithm. Today, Traditional Search Engine Optimization factors are adopted to rank local results.

Impact of the Penguin Algorithm Update

• Poor on- and off-page SEO.
• Major aspects of on-page optimization.

5. RankBrain

Release Date: 26th October 2015

RankBrain is able to make guesses of words it doesn’t know and find words with similar meaning as well as offer relevant results. RankBrain algorithm analyzes past search patterns, makes the best result so as to improve search results.

Impact of RanBrain Algorithm Update

• RankBrain enabled Google to decode the meaning in every search query and serve the best-matching results.
• Google announced RankBrain as one of its three vital ranking signals.
• There’s no optimization for RankBrain in traditional SEO than high-quality website content.
• RankBran’s impact on results pages is evident and admirable.

6. Possum Algorithm

Release Date: September 1, 2016

Possum Algorithm update made sure that local search results varied according to the searcher’s location. If a searcher is close to a business’s address, the most likely to see it among local search results. Possum brought in greater variety in search results ranking for very similar queries. Possum Algorithm boosted businesses found outside the physical city area.

Impact of Possum Algorithm Update

• Tense competition in a user target location.
• Expansion in keyword list and location-specific rank tracking.
• Wide and greater variety in search results ranking for very similar queries.
• Possum brought local SERPs in a specific target location search.

7. Fred Algorithm

Release date: March 8, 2017

Fred Algorithm is one major algorithm update by Google that targets and penalizes websites violating Google webmaster rules. Fred Algorithm updates affected sites’ blogs with low-quality posts that made solely to generate more revenue or increase turnover.

Impact of Fred Algorithm Update

• Enforcement of webmaster guidelines
• Thin and affiliate-centric low-quality content.
• Low-quality site blogs driven by driven revenue considerations
• Punishment of display ads target-centric site pages offering less information as opposed to great quality pages with rich and relevant information.

8. Mobile Speed Algorithm

Release Date: July 2018

Mobile Speed Algorithm valued user need for faster site and page speed as well as access to information. Mobile Speed update made page speed a major ranking factor for mobile searches since it was a desktop search requirement. Mobile Speed Algorithm update impacted slow mobile version websites.

Impact of Mobile Speed Algorithm

• Made site speed and page speed a mandatory ranking factor on mobile devices
• Mobile speed a ranking factor as several sites are social media friendly and user-friendly.

9. Medic Algorithm

Release Date: August 1, 2018

Medic Algorithm as a broad core algorithm update lead to extreme shifts in site ranking for medical sites hit with low rankings. The Medic Algorithm update as a broad-core algorithm attempted to improve match results to search intent and protect user wellbeing from disreputable/irrelevant information.

Impact of Medic Algorithm

• Protect user intent from irrelevant information
• Significant shifts in medical site rankings
• Improved matches between search intent and results.

10. BERT Algorithm

Release Date: October 21, 2019

BERT Algorithm update is among the major updates over the past couple of years capable of affecting one in ten searches.

BERT is a Machine Learning (ML) based algorithm with a neural network-based technique for natural language processing (NLP). BERT is an acronym for Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers.

BERT is capable of figuring out full contexts of words by looking at preceding and words proceeding. BERT adopts contexts and relations of words in sentences other than one-by-one in order. This an advancement in search query interpretation as well as the intent.

Impact of BERT Algorithm Update

• Enhanced ML and AI adaption in Google search query
• Improve and proximate search query interpretation.
• Advanced use of smart technologies and emerging technologies in Algorithm updates.

11. Google Broad Core Algorithm

Release Date: January 2020

Broad core Algorithm is a major algorithm update that impacts search visibility of several websites. When Google Algorithm updates roll out, Google reconsiders SERP Rankings of websites based on their expertise, authoritativeness, trustworthiness.

Impact of Broad Core Algorithm Update

• Unlike daily core updates, the broad core algorithm update has far-reaching impact.
• Fluctuation in ranking positions is detectable for search queries globally.
• The algorithm update improves the contextual results for search queries.
• There’s no easy fix for websites that have before suffered from Google updates.
• The only lasting solution is to improve content quality.
• More focus and attention on-site expertise, authority, and trustworthiness.

Summary

Google Algorithm updates are now mainstream terms especially for modern SEO and in any Digital Marketing Agency. The search term Google Algorithm draws serious research and attention to keep and follow vital Google site practices.