What is the Google algorithm?
The term Google algorithm refers to the complex set of rules and formulas used by Google’s search engine to determine which web pages to show in response to a user’s search query and in what order. Google’s algorithm is designed to provide users with the most relevant and high-quality search results based on numerous factors.
The Google algorithm is not a single entity but a collection of algorithms, each serving a specific purpose. However, the most well-known and influential algorithm used by Google is the PageRank algorithm, named after Google co-founder Larry Page.
PageRank analyses the number and quality of links pointing to a web page to determine its importance and authority. Pages with high-quality inbound links are considered more authoritative and more likely to rank higher in search results.
In addition to PageRank, Google uses hundreds of other algorithms to evaluate various aspects of web pages and determine their relevance and quality.
How does Google’s algorithm work?
Google’s algorithm works by evaluating numerous factors to determine the relevance, authority, and quality of web pages in response to a user’s search query. While the exact workings of Google’s algorithm are proprietary and constantly evolving, there are several key components and principles that guide its operation:
1. Crawling
Google’s algorithm begins by crawling the web to discover new and updated content. This process is carried out by automated programs called crawlers or spiders, which follow links from one page to another.
2. Indexing
Once a web page is crawled, Google’s algorithm indexes the content by analyzing the page’s text, images, metadata, and other elements. This allows Google to retrieve relevant pages when users enter search queries quickly.
3. Relevance
Google’s algorithm assesses the relevance of a web page to a user’s search query by analyzing factors such as keyword usage, content quality, and topical relevance.
Pages that naturally and meaningfully contain the search terms and related topics are more likely to rank higher in search results.
4. Authority
In addition to relevance, Google’s algorithm considers the authority of a web page, which is primarily determined by the quantity and quality of inbound links from other websites.
Pages linked to reputable and authoritative sites are seen as more trustworthy and likely to rank higher.
5. User Experience
Google’s algorithm also takes into account factors related to user experience, such as page load speed, mobile-friendliness, and usability.
Pages that provide users with a positive and seamless experience are favoured in search results.
6. Personalization
Google’s algorithm may personalize search results based on the user’s location, search history, and previous interactions with search results.
This helps Google deliver more relevant and tailored results to individual users.
7. Updates and Refinements
Google’s algorithm is constantly updated and refined to improve the quality and relevance of search results. Updates may introduce new ranking factors, adjust the weighting of existing factors, or target specific issues such as spammy or low-quality content.
Overall, Google’s algorithm delivers the most relevant, authoritative, and user-friendly search results possible to satisfy users’ diverse needs and intents worldwide.
GOOGLE ALGORITHM UPDATES IN 2024:
Until not long ago, when people talked about the Google algorithm, everything was related to backlinks and keywords. In 2024, the reality is different and has become more complicated because it involves an enormous number of factors.
It all concerns the mathematical operations that help establish how a specific web page is ranked for preset queries on results sites.
This is an environment where the advice of Expacio Web professionals will be essential once the updates come into force, which will lead us to understand what consumers truly want.
This is the year where it will be essential to be attentive to the search results, and everything will happen through updates incorporating the use of artificial intelligence that will allow us to optimize the user experience surprisingly.
WHAT THE CONSUMER REQUIRES
It is no secret to anyone how AI has changed the rules of the game, and Google is a compelling example of this, with tools like MUM or BERT, with which there is the possibility of understanding the essence of what users are looking for. It is a scenario where companies will need the experience of Expacio Web to generate valuable answers in searches.
Although this is already happening, with Google’s algorithm updates, getting what a consumer requires right will be more accessible. This implies that, among other things, the content will not require an endless accumulation of keywords.
The user experience will be increasingly important, which means that we cannot neglect the importance of resources such as Core Web Vitals or Lighthouse, as well as the urgent need to be attentive to every change that Google makes, no matter how small, because it can alter the rankings.
It is an innovative game where Interaction with consumers will be favoured… as long as you know how to play.
GREATER CONFIDENCE IN INFORMATION
Obviously, a compelling way to improve the user experience is relevant content that connects perfectly with the interests and preferences of your target audience. With Google algorithm updates, you will find the right content that helps your audience get what they are looking for.
Expacio Web professionals know in detail essential tools in the SEO environment, such as Answer the Public or Google Trends, which have proven to be extremely useful in discovering what the public is looking for and offering the most convenient answers.
Our specialists can help you not only answer the questions but also provide answers that provide additional value and serve to create loyal followers through reliable, mainstream content.
It is crucial for specialized websites such as those that offer legal, financial or medical information. More than just presenting current and accurate content is needed. In many cases, professional endorsement will be necessary.
On specialized websites, it will be increasingly necessary for experts to approve or at least review the contents of the posts, videos or blogs. This increases credibility, in addition to adapting to both the guidelines and ethics of each sector.
All of the above means that your target audience will have greater confidence in the information and then make the right financial, legal or health-related decisions.
CORE WEB VITALS
Among the updates to the Google algorithm that Expacio Web will be monitoring is the profound transformation of the Core Web Vitals. These metrics have been used since 2021 to assess the quality of the user experience.
It will be in March 2024 when this evolution will be carried out, which includes a notable replacement of the First Input Delay (FID) metric, which will give rise to the Interaction with the Next Painting (INP ).
In this way, in March of this year, metrics directly related to quality criteria will disappear on web pages, such as CLS, FID and LCP.
In the specific case of FID, with the updates comes an innovative metric to extend the scope of the calculations performed and cover essential elements such as:
- It will examine the responsiveness of the user’s first input and all input.
- Beyond probing delays, the total duration of each event will now be recorded.
- The events will be grouped as part of the same Interaction with well-defined latency.
- The life cycle of all interactions on a page will also receive a thorough evaluation.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN SEO
Another aspect of vital importance in Google algorithm updates will be the role of Artificial Intelligence in SEO since, without a doubt, a transformation will occur in the search results to make them more personalized and predictive.
In this sense, the support of Expacio Web specialists can turn this into a valuable opportunity for companies, giving them sufficient tools to incorporate AI into their SEO plans.
Thus, to enhance the SEO strategy, thanks to the updates, a much more in-depth analysis of search patterns as well as user behaviours will be carried out in conjunction with the most recent market trends.
With our support, you can take advantage of the new AI-based content tools to know what might be missing and receive suggestions about current topics that could attract your target audience.
GROWTH OPPORTUNITY
All changes in Google algorithm updates can represent an excellent opportunity for growth and innovation for your company or project.
In this sense, with us, you will get more than organic searches because we will diversify your traffic sources and level out SEO efforts with the improved version of these tools.
It is much more than following specific rules. With the experts at Expacio Web, you can finally build a vigorous Internet presence that undeniably connects with your target audience and, most importantly, maintains that connection over time.
