For Those Who Are Curious About How Google Works: What Has Changed With Google Algorithm Updates In The Last 12 Years? We explain

If you are looking for a way to stay at the forefront without getting lost in the complex folds of the internet world, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) may be a magical key to enlighten you! This mysterious strategy aims to make your website sparkle in the eyes of search engines.

Google, like a wizard, has algorithms that control this magic world. Algorithm updates expand its magic and make internet searches a more fun and exciting journey. Here I have compiled Google’s algorithm updates with examples for you;

Google algorithm updates:

Google Panda Algorithm Update – 2011

Description: Google Panda is a filtering algorithm that evaluates content quality. It targets sites with low quality, low originality, or duplicate content. This update focuses on improving the quality of content and delivering more valuable results for users.

Example: If a website is trying to generate revenue that does not contribute to visitors by simply quoting or republishing low-quality or duplicate content, the Google Panda update may penalize such a site.

Google Penguin Algorithm Update – 2012

Description: Google Penguin is an algorithm that examines backlink profiles. It targets unwanted or spammy links. This update encourages a focus on organic and quality backlinks and penalizes manipulative or spammy links.

Example: If a website has hundreds of low-quality or purchased links for spammy purposes, the Google Penguin update may lower the site’s ranking with such manipulative tactics.

Google Hummingbird Algorithm Update – 2013

Description: Google Hummingbird is an algorithm used to better understand the meaning of search queries. It aims to better match search results. This update uses natural language processing techniques to better understand users’ intentions and deliver more accurate results.

Example: If a user searches for “Best smartphone models”, the Google Hummingbird update will try to understand the user’s true intentions and provide reliable and informative results about the best smartphone models.

Google Pigeon Algorithm Update – 2014

Description: Google Pigeon is an algorithm designed to improve local search results. It allows local businesses to appear better in search results. This update allows users to get more accurate and relevant results in local searches.

Example: When a user searches for “nearest cafe”, the Google Pigeon update may rank the closest cafes in the user’s area and their reviews higher, taking into account the user’s location. Thus, the user can achieve more accurate and locally relevant results.

Google Mobile-Friendly Update (Mobilegeddon) Algorithm Update – 2015

Description: Google Mobile-Friendly Update rewards sites that offer better usability on mobile devices and lowers the ranking of non-mobile-friendly sites. This update highlights the importance of mobile-friendly websites as mobile traffic increases.

Example: When visiting a non-mobile-friendly website, the content may appear uneven, the text may be difficult to read, or the buttons and links may be incompatible. Google Mobile-Friendly Update may rank such a site lower in mobile searches, while a mobile-friendly site may rank better.

Google RankBrain Algorithm Update – 2015

Description: Google RankBrain is an algorithm designed to better understand the meaning of search queries using machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies. This update aims to provide better answers to complex and unique search queries.

Example: If a user searches for “what movie did Jim Carrey play”, Google RankBrain may show results containing Jim Carrey’s filmography and his most important roles in the search results. In this way, the user can access the desired information more quickly and easily.

Google Possum Algorithm Update – 2016

Description: Google Possum is an algorithm that makes local search results more precise. It takes into account different results for similar searches from different locations. This update allows users to get more accurate and locally relevant results.

Example: When a user searches for “dental clinic”, the Google Possum update may filter results based on dental clinics in the user’s area and their reviews. In this way, the user can see the closest and most reliable clinics to the service he is looking for in higher ranks.

Google Fred Algorithm Update – 2017

Description: Google Fred is an algorithm that targets pages where website owners are trying to monetize with low-quality content and aggressive ads. This update rewards sites that provide valuable and informative content to users, while penalizing sites with poor quality and ad-focused content.

Example: If a website is negatively affecting the user experience by using ads on its pages in an excessive and annoying way, or if its content is of low quality and worthless, the Google Fred update may lower the ranking of such sites.

Google Medic Algorithm Update – 2018

Description: Google Medic is an algorithm that targets health-related websites. It focuses on the content quality and reliability of sites offering information on health, medicine and related topics. This update aims to provide users with more accurate and reliable health information, taking into account expertise, authority, and reliability (EAT) factors.

Example: When a user is searching for information about a specific health issue, the Google Medic update will rank sites with reliable and expert content on health-related topics. Thus, the user will be able to access accurate and reliable information.

Google BERT Algorithm Update – 2019

Description: Google BERT is an algorithm that improves natural language processing and comprehension. It is used to better understand the meaning of search queries and provide user-oriented results. This update aims to provide a better understanding of search queries, enabling users to reach more relevant and accurate results.

Example: If a user searches for something like “airfare to Paris”, the Google BERT update will try to understand the user’s true intent and will show results that include the prices of the most affordable airfares when traveling to Paris. Thus, the user will be able to access the information they are looking for more quickly and accurately.

Google Core Web Vitals Algorithm Update – 2020

Description: Google Core Web Vitals is an algorithm update focused on website performance. It evaluates factors that affect user experience and specifically includes Core Web Vitals metrics such as page load speed, response time of interactive elements, and content stability. This update aims to enable users to interact with websites quickly and seamlessly.

Example: If a page load time takes too long when a user visits a website, or if interactive elements have slow response times, the Google Core Web Vitals update may push such a site to low rankings. However, a site that provides the user with fast loading times and an interactive experience can achieve higher rankings.

Google Passage Indexing Algorithm Update – 2021

Description: Google Passage Indexing is an algorithm that analyzes pieces of content in greater detail. Highlights specific paragraphs in search results where the user can find an answer to a specific question. This update allows users to find the information they are looking for more quickly and accurately.

Example: When a user searches for “best diet plan,” the Google Passage Indexing update can analyze bits of content on pages to highlight specific paragraphs for the best diet plans. In this way, the user can directly access the information they are interested in instead of reading a long article.

Google MUM (Multitask Unified Model) Algorithm Update – 2021

Description: Google MUM is an artificial intelligence model that can multitask simultaneously. It is used to improve search results based on more complex queries and natural language understanding. This update aims to provide better answers to users’ more specific and complex questions.

Example: A user asked “Where are the most popular Italian restaurants in Rome?” Google MUM update will try to understand the user’s specific requests and show the results by locating the most popular Italian restaurants in Rome. Thus, the user will be able to reach more accurate and targeted results more quickly.

Google Mobile First Indexing Algorithm Update – 2021

Description: Google Mobile First Indexing is the use of the mobile version in search results based on your website index. It can negatively affect the ranking of sites that are not mobile-friendly. This update highlights the importance of mobile-friendly websites as mobile device usage increases.

Example: When a user accesses a website from their mobile device, the Google Mobile First Indexing update will show it in search results taking into account the mobile version of the site. If a website is not mobile-friendly, users may encounter problems such as not displaying properly or not being user-friendly on mobile devices. Therefore, a mobile-friendly site may achieve higher rankings, while a non-mobile-friendly site may lag behind in rankings.

Google Product Reviews Update Algorithm Update – 2021

Description: The Google Product Reviews Update is an update that focuses on product reviews. It rewards well-structured, informative and credible product reviews. This update aims to provide users with access to accurate and reliable information about products.

Example: When a user searches for information about a particular product, the Google Product Reviews Update will rank sites with reliable and detailed product reviews. Thus, users can more easily access accurate and comprehensive information about the product.

Google Page Experience Update Algorithm Update – 2021

Description: Google Page Experience Update is an update focused on user experience. It evaluates Core Web Vitals metrics such as page load speed, response time of interactive elements, and visual stability. It also takes into account other factors such as HTTPS usage, mobile compatibility, and secure browsing. This update aims to provide users with a fast, user-friendly and secure experience.

Example: If a user visits a website that takes too long to load a page, or if interactive elements have slow response times, the Google Page Experience Update may push such a site to lower rankings. However, a site that offers the user fast loading times, a smooth experience, and a secure connection can achieve higher rankings. For example, if a user lands on an e-commerce site, if the page takes a long time to load, or if shopping cart operations are slow, the Google Page Experience Update may rank such a site lower. However, a site that offers a user-friendly experience, loads fast, and interactive elements are responsive can rank higher.

You can follow all the new changes that can be made by Google at https://developers.google.com/search/updates.