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‘Google’ was launched in 1997 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin as a search engine. But the company has evolved to be more than just a search engine. You can do so much with Google like upload videos, navigate, mail, read news, translate languages and a lot other things. And, there is no doubt it has become the most popular search engine in the world and at the same time, our lifeline.
What is Google Algorithm?
Algorithms are the processes generated by computers that take your questions and turn them into answers. It goes through millions and trillions of web pages present on the web to help you find out the information you are looking for.
What is an Algorithm change?
Algorithm changes are really useful as they help us in getting enhanced search results. Algorithms are continuously evolving with the passage of time, so optimizing your site as per the changes is a must.
Panda Algorithm: Content
The Google Panda update was launched first in February 2011. The aim behind the introduction of this update was to prevent low-quality content to rank higher on the Google Search Engine Results Page.
This algorithm specifically focuses on content. It rewards high-quality content and eliminates the spammed one.
The content you post should be relatable with your search query. And, the Panda keeps on getting updated from time to time. Some of the significant updates are as follows:
- Initially, for the first two years, the updates were rolled out once in a month.
- But from March 2013, the updates are not that frequent, rather there are more real-time updates as stated by Matt Cutts, Former Head of Web Spam Team at Google.
- The most noticeable update happened on September 25, 2014, which was Panda 4.1 (28th Panda Update).
- And then, Google launched a slow roll out of Panda 4.2 which started on July 18, 2015.
Penguin Algorithm: Web Spam
Penguin update was first announced on April 24, 2012. It catches the sites which are spamming Google Search Results. All those sites that have low quality or irrelevant links get spammed by Penguin update for using link schemes to manipulate the search results.
As per Matt Cutts, the major Penguin updates which have been rolled out over the years are listed below:
- Penguin 1 on April 24, 2012 (affects around 3.1% of queries)
- Penguin 1.1 on May 25, 2012 (affects less than 0.1%)
- Penguin 3 on October 5, 2012 (affects around 0.3% of queries)
- Penguin 2.0 on May 22, 2013 (affects 2.3% of queries)
- Penguin 2.1 on October 4, 2013 (affects around 1% of queries)
- Penguin 3.0 on October 18, 2014 (affects less than 1% English queries)
- Penguin 4.0 on September 23, 2016
With Penguin 4.0 it brings out the key changes to further enhance the search experience for the users. It penalizes the sites which are spamming Google Search Results.
The penalty is now more specific that means only the spammy page will be penalized instead of the whole domain which is fairer somehow.
If your site is found violating the rules, then Google will not notify you rather it will automatically incur an algorithmic penalty.
Hummingbird Algorithm: Specific Search Query
Hummingbird update was launched on 15th birthday of Google in 2013. It pays more attention to each word entered in the query to make sure that all the words are taken into the account rather than the particular words.
The main aim behind it was to show the pages which match the meaning of whole search query rather than the specific words.
This algorithm allows Google to better understand the long search queries. It is referred to as ‘Hummingbird’ because hummingbirds hear better than humans, see farther than humans and have the most active brain in the whole bird kingdom.
The Hummingbird algorithm update changed the future of Google Search.
Pigeon Update: Local Business Websites
In the Google Pigeon Update, the preference has been given to local business websites. The update was released in 2014. It was aimed to increase the ranking of local listing on Google searches.
This update shows the local listings first rather than the famous hotels located away. But if the search query contains a large number of keywords, then the local listing feature doesn’t work.
The local directory websites received a boost in Google Search Page Rankings. It improved the distance and location ranking parameters of Google.
These are some of the facts about the prominent Google Algorithms. Hope that these above-mentioned facts will help you learn more about the Algorithms and the significant changes they have witnessed with the time. And, to save yourself against Google Penalties, it becomes important to know these.
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