What has been suspected for some time now, with lots chatter across the web, website managers complaining about their sites’ very sudden and dramatic drop in Google search results, Google has released an official statement confirming various updates.
Here’s what they said:
Each day, Google usually releases one or more changes designed to improve our results. Some are focused around specific improvements. Some are broad changes. Last week, we released a broad core algorithm update. We do these routinely several times per year.
As with any update, some sites may note drops or gains. There’s nothing wrong with pages that may now perform less well. Instead, it’s that changes to our systems are benefiting pages that were previously under-rewarded.
There’s no “fix” for pages that may perform less well other than to remain focused on building great content. Over time, it may be that your content may rise relative to other pages.
As K-Kom always says, content is the best way to get your website rankings to improve over time. Stated by Google, if your website was one which dropped in the rankings, it’s not because your site is “bad”. It just means others previously ranking under you are now being rewarded properly, so perhaps you now have a more accurate sense of who your competition really is.
What is a “broad core algorithm update”?
Google releases one to two small updates every day, some are noticeable while most are not, and these are generally not announced. The broad core updates only happen a few times per year and are thus much more significant. In the past, these have seemingly been for targeting low-quality results so the “cream” could more easily float to the top.
This update, however, was specifically stated to give good sites that were not previously recognized, some ranking juice. We need to keep in mind, Google’s main goal is to present its users with the best possible answers to their search questions, so each algorithm update is likely with that end goal in mind.
The areas most relevant to SEO right now are the goals of understanding user intent and understanding content. As Google becomes better at understanding these things, your business better is right along with them, giving your customers exactly what they’re looking for on your website.
So while SEO has often been about putting the best-searched terms into your website, now it seems to be shifted into solving real problems your site visitors want solved. If you can make this shift, you’ll be on your way to great rankings.
If you want to learn about the nitty-gritty, here is a research paper done by Google about query expansion.
Concerned about your website ranking? Contact us today to see what can be done to help you rank above your competition and get back in the digital game!
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