Google Algorithm Update

Google’s broad core algorithm update in June 2019 has caused some sites to lose rankings and positioning. The new algorithm has changed Google’s relevancy parameters, causing websites to fall or completely lose rankings.

Falling Rankings from Algorithm Updates are Not Penalties

As much as it may feel like it, rankings lost following the Core Algorithm Update is not a penalization from Google. Penalties are incurred when Google publisher guidelines are violated, such as in cases of spamming or content issues. Google sends the publisher a notice about Webmaster Guideline violations through the Search Console. No notices are sent when sites lose rankings after a core algorithm update.

Why are Sites Losing Rankings after Google’s Broad Core Algorithm Update?

Google’s John Mueller explains that sites lose rankings after a Core Algorithm Update because the new algorithm has concluded that some sites offer more relevant than others. Mueller reinforced the notion that sites do not lose rankings after the algorithm update because they did anything wrong or because they are harmful sites with bad information.

Google’s core algorithm update changed the way that Google determines which pages are relevant to users, therefore increasing rankings on pages that meets these new quality standards. Mueller says that it is not a matter of fixing anything website admins are doing “wrong,” but it is more of a matter of Google deciding that some pages are less relevant that originally determined.

Google Offers Key Insights on Core Algorithm Updates

Mueller offered four key takeaways for administrators and producers of web site content looking to recover from the adverse ranking effects of Google’s Broad Core Algorithm

Update:

1. Sites that saw a reduction in traffic rankings are not being penalized.
2. Relevance is a critical factor in the loss or gains in ranking after the update.
3. Sites will not have to wait until the next algorithm update to recover lost rankings.
4. The algorithm update and its consequences are not generally about spam or content issues.

Types of Ranking Losses Sites Are Experiencing After Core Algorithm Update

Sites are experiencing two significant kinds of losses following June’s Broad Core Algorithm Update:

Ranking Position Losses: Based primarily on new relevancy parameters, some sites have gained positions, which result in previously ranked pages to drop search result positions. 

Complete Loss of Ranking: Sites that have entirely lost rankings are indeed rare. In these cases, site producers need a thorough evaluation of the SERPs as well as overall keyword and content strategy.

What is the Recovery Time from Board Core Algorithm Update Affects?

There are times when algorithm updates are too broad and affect sites Google did not intend to, and subsequent fine-tuning updates are needed to recover lost rankings.

Mueller explained that Google’s algorithm is in constant update mode, meaning sites will not have to wait until the next broad core algorithm update to notice ranking improvements from pages affected by June’s update.

Recovering from a Google Broad Core Algorithm Update

It is easy to think that losing ranking positioning following a Broad Core Algorithm Update is all about the quality of the site and content. Ranking issues can also be seen as being caused by technical problems such as slow response times and chained redirects, etc.

While content quality and technical issues are legitimate ranking factors, loss of rankings after a core algorithm update is typically not related to those factors.

Technical issues and poor quality may be contributing factors to reduced traffic and rankings, but June’s Broad Core Algorithm Update was much more concerned with relevancy than anything else. While there is no set time for websites to recover from the algorithm update, content creators and website admins can take measures to ensure that websites are structured properly and that content is relevant.

 Search Engine Optimization in Austin, Texas

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a tedious and technical process in which success depends on a staggering amount of factors. It is said that SEO is “hard to do, yet easy to mess up.” Entrusting your search engine optimization strategy to reputable and knowledgeable professionals will ensure that your SEO strategy is compliant with all Google policies, as well as keep your content fresh and relevant to any algorithm updates. The experienced search engine optimization specialists at Insignia SEO are here to help you achieve your business goals! Contact a member of our team today to discuss how search engine optimization, content marketing, or PPC marketing can help your business grow.

The SEO Industry is Abuzz About the Google Maverick Update

Those who are in the SEO industry always keep an eye on the Google search ranking results, since they’re indicative of emerging trends. Between July 11th and 18th of this year, they picked up on some serious volatility. Analytics tools from various platforms confirmed the shakeup. But what did it mean?

Though various SEO publications and sites have reached out to Google, there has not yet been any official response. John Mueller of Google, usually the figurehead who speaks for the company, has been tight-lipped about what is going on.

What Do the Tools Indicate?

For those companies like Insignia SEO that drive up website rankings for their clients, any significant fluctuation is a reason to pay attention. That’s because a ranking shakeup is indicative that Google may be implementing an update, and every time that happens, SEO strategies will need to be adjusted.

Several analytics tools, including RankRanger, Algoroo, Moz, and SEMRush, all show that in the middle of July, a seismic change occurred in Google. The fact that the Google brass hasn’t come right out and said that this is a major ranking update counts for little because they haven’t denied it, either.

John Mueller stated in a video hangout on Search Engine Land, “Updates. I don’t have any update news. I saw a lot of blogging and tweeting on updates, so I don’t know what is specifically happening there. I don’t know. We will see. I haven’t chatted with Danny (Sullivan) about that. So, not quite sure. But we always do updates. I think it is more about if this is one of those core updates and which month will it be called after.”

More on this Possible Update from Data Providers

Those who are interested have done some more digging with data providers, like RankRanger. The consensus seemed to be that the fluctuation wasn’t following any patterns that were easy to identify. For instance, the rank fluctuation increases couldn’t be said to be taking place specifically in niches like food and drink, retail, finance, health, or travel. SEO companies need to keep an eye on all of these since many of their clients for which they are creating content are likely to fall into these categories.

What Can Be Made of this Latest Update?

For SEO companies, it’s probably best to stick with the conclusion put forth by RankRanger and SearchMetrics. Both entities feel that this shakeup in ranking indicates that an update did indeed take place to the Google algorithm. It was more significant than one of their routine tweaks, but perhaps falling short of one of the massive “core” updates that get an official name from Google.

Google might still release a statement at some point on this “Maverick” update, as some SEO companies have already dubbed it. For the moment, though, any SEO company should at least be cognizant of what is happening, because the website ranking for many of their clients may have changed. That’s what matters most to SEO companies, of course, and that’s the reason to monitor Google so closely.