Google algorithm updates are modifications rolled out by Google from time to time that impact search engine optimization (SEO) and affect website ranking. Google updates aim to filter out spam and unethical websites that do not conform to the guidelines for best SEO practices. It helps in improving the quality of content on websites and enhances user experience. Let us learn more about how Google updates impact website traffic.
Google algorithm updates refer to new changes introduced by Google in its search engine to improve the content quality and user experience of the search engine. Google rolls out multiple updates over a year that immensely impact the search engine optimization of a page and fluctuate the search engine rankings of various search results. These changes and modifications to the search rankings by the algorithm updates can lead to extreme losses if the website does not follow white hat SEO practices.?
The algorithms are complex rules and calculations that occasionally redefine the relevance and quality of web pages to sieve out the ones that are not up to the mark. The frequent updates by Google help achieve various objectives, such as improving the quality of search results, providing more relevant information to user queries, and combatting multiple forms of search engine manipulation, including spammy SEO practices. The change can have minimal to significant impact, which can be positive or negative for website rankings and traffic.
The reasons for Google algorithm updates are multiple-
- Improve relevance- Google rolls out frequent updates to continually refine its current algorithms to improve the relevancy of search results and align them as closely as possible to the user's query. This way, the algorithm updates ensure that users find the required information more quickly and effectively.
- Enhance content quality- Google aims to deliver a high quality standard in its search results for any user query. So Google updates its algorithms to introduce relevant filters that identify and penalize websites that follow spammy or manipulative SEO practices. Websites with low-quality content and excess and inappropriate keyword stuffing are of less value to the users and run the risk of being penalized.
- Improve user experience- Google works meticulously to improve user experience and offer a seamless search process. Websites that provide fast loading times, mobile-friendliness, and easy navigation are hailed as user-friendly and rewarded by improving search engine ranking on Google. These updates filter out the websites or web pages that do not fall under the user-friendly category and aim to ensure that users do not face any issues while looking for relevant information.
- Combatting spammy websites- Google brings updates to combat spammy websites that rank in search engine results based on unethical SEO practices such as link spam, keyword overstuffing, and content farms. Such websites waste user time by displaying low-quality and irrelevant content. Clickbait sites are also a part of spammy websites.
Different Google updates have different impacts on website traffic, both positive and negative, depending upon how much your website aligns with all ethical practices stated by Google.
- Improves website rankings- If any website follows ethical SEO practices, such as uploading high-quality and relevant content, Google updates will reward the site with boosted traffic. An improved ranking on search engines ensures heavier and more organic traffic of relevant users to the website.
- Decreases website rankings- If Google rewards specific sites, it also penalizes websites that do not adhere to best SEO practices. Websites with low-quality or duplicate content, link spam, hidden tags, and irrelevant backlinks run a high risk of experiencing a drop in website rankings. Once the website ranking decreases, the rate of organic traffic to the website also decreases.
- Ongoing algorithm updates- Sometimes, you may notice fluctuations in the website's traffic due to ongoing algorithm adjustments since Google is constantly making updates. In such cases, the website may experience a sudden increase or decrease in website traffic. However, these fluctuations are temporary and get resolved in some time.
- Google penalties- In worst cases, Google algorithm updates can even lead to manual actions or penalties against a website. It is most likely if the website is found to be violating Google's Webmaster Guidelines. Penalties often lead to a sharp decline in website traffic and have a long-term impact on the website's visibility on SERP.?
These are a few ways in which Google algorithm updates can influence website traffic negatively and positively.
Banayanbrain is a digital marketing agency in Gurgaon that offers SEO services. Our team is dedicated to formulating personalized strategies and working on white hat SEO to ensure ethical SEO practices that give promising results.
