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Latest Google SEO Updates & Algorithm Changes

Seo updates

The digital world is now more hyped-up, dynamic, and influential than ever before. It is more focused and competitive as well. With the end goal for you to achieve high search engine rankings and to maintain them, you have to look after the latest Google SEO updates. This is the initial move towards staying aware of the latest SEO trends and remaining focused.

The SEO updates are directly proportional to Google’s algorithm updates that search engines receive. Since Google is the pioneer in search marketing, new changes in Google Algorithm Update are vital to enhance the optimization of your website.

Website admins need to have a phenomenal understanding of all the latest Google search engine algorithm updates and related procedures, as only this can let them know the latest SEO updates 2017 essential to optimize websites, ensure better DA and high rankings in SERPs.

Largely, Google is centered around enhancing its web search administrations for online users, and by keeping a track of changes in Google’s Algorithm updates, marketers can increase the ranking of their sites. Google has a long history of famous SEO algorithm updates that channelize ranking mechanism of SERPs.

To find the latest Google SEO updates, marketers need to check the latest updates of the following SEO algorithms-

10 Google SEO Updates & Algorithm Changes

1.) Google Hummingbird Update

Google seo updates
Google hummingbird seo update

Introduced around August 2013, Google Hummingbird Update is Google’s new search algorithm that plays a significant role in deciding the ranking of websites. It is made up of 200+ factors that can affect search results and website ranking.

The biggest changes made in Hummingbird were the capability to have a sharp eye on mobile marketing, which is not surprising at all given the explosion of smartphones in recent years. The name ‘Hummingbird’ comes from its ability to be “precise and fast” and it is mainly designed to better focus on the meaning of a phrase or keyword rather than individual keywords.

Hummingbird looks at the entire phrase to decipher the meaning of that phrase. Google Hummingbird SEO updates aid pages matching the meaning do better in search results.

SEO new updates related to Hummingbird

  • Application of meaning technology to billions of pages from across the web
  • Use of Knowledge Graph facts to ensure better search results
  • Easy recognition of Keyword stuffing
  • Effectiveness of Long-tail keywords

2.)  Google Penguin Update

Google seo updates
Google penguin seo update

Google propelled the Penguin Update in April 2012 to catch the websites that are spamming Google’s search results. This update is mainly aimed at decreasing search rankings of websites that violate Google’s Webmaster Guidelines and use black-hat SEO techniques to artificially increase the ranking of their websites, by obtaining or buying links through some wrong practices.

The primary reason behind this update was to penalize websites that use manipulative techniques for achieving high rankings.  As per Google’s estimates, Penguin influences approximately 3.1% of search queries in English, and approximately 3% of queries in languages like German, Arabic, and Chinese, and an even much bigger percentage of them in the “highly spammed” language categories.

Pre-Penguin sites normally utilized some negative external link-building tactics to rank good in SERPs and boost theirs traffics. However, once Penguin was introduced it implied that content was vital and those with incredible content would be recognized and those with little or spammy content would be punished.

Some confirmed Google Penguin SEO updates are

  • Penguin 1 – on April 24, 2012 (impacting around 3.1% of queries)
  • Penguin 2 – on May 26, 2012 (impacting less than 0.1%)
  • Penguin 3 – on October 5, 2012 (impacting around 0.3% of queries)
  • Penguin 4 (a.k.a. Penguin 2.0)- on May 22, 2013 (impacting 2.3% of queries)
  • Penguin 5 (a.k.a. Penguin 2.1)- on October 4, 2013 (impacting around 1% of queries)
  • Penguin 6 (a.k.a. Penguin 3.0-) on October 17, 2014 (impacting less than 1% English queries). On December 1, 2014, Google confirmed that the update was still rolling out with webmasters continuing to report significant fluctuations during Google SEO updates 2014. 
  • Penguin 7 (a.k.a. Penguin 4.0)- on September 23, 2016

3.) Google Panda Update

Google seo updates
Google panda seo update

Google’s Panda Update is acquainted in February 2011 and it is known as the powerful search filter implied to stop sites with low-quality content from making their way into top search results of Google. Panda is updated every once in a while.

At the point when this happens, sites already hit; may getaway, if then they have rolled out the correct improvements according to Panda updates. Through its different updates, Panda can likewise catch sites that got away some time recently.

Google Panda was quite effective in affecting the ranking of entire sites or a specific section rather than individual pages on a site.

Some important Google SEO updates according to Google Panda Update 2017 are

  • No Multiple Pages with the Same Keyword
  • Get Rid of Auto-generated Content and Roundup/Comparison Type of Pages
  • No Pages with 1-2 Paragraphs of Text Only
  • No Scraped Content
  • Panda Likes New Content
  • Be Careful with Affiliate Links and Ads
  • Too Many Outbound Links with Keywords are bad

4.) Google Pigeon Update

Google seo updates
Google pigeon update

Propelled on July 24, 2014, for U.S. English results, Google Pigeon Update” is another SEO algorithm update introduced to give more valuable, significant, and exact local search results that are attached more closely to conventional web search ranking factors.

Google said that this new SEO algorithm enhances their distance and location tracking parameters in a more result-oriented manner. The changes made through Google Pigeon Update will also affect search results shown in Google Maps as this update lets Google provide search results based on the user location and listing at hand in the local directory.

The main purpose behind introducing Google Pigeon Update is to provide preferences to local search results in SERPs and that is why this is extremely beneficial for local businesses. 

SEO Latest updates based on Google Pigeon Updates are

  • Location Matters More Than Ever
  • Don’t Over-Optimize Your Website
  • Strong Domains Matter more

5.) Google Mobile-Friendly Update

Introduced On April 21, 2015, Google introduced its Mobile-Friendly search algorithm that is intended to give a lift to mobile-friendly site pages in Google’s mobile search results. The change is significant to the point that the date it happened is being alluded to by a variety of names such as Mobilegeddon, Mobilepocalyse, Mopocalypse, or Mobocalypse.

One of the ideal approaches to get ready is to test that Google considers your site pages to be mobile-friendly by utilizing its Mobile-Friendly Test tool. It is very effective in including approaches that bring more mobile-friendliness to SEO campaigns.

Latest Google Mobile-Friendly SEO updates are

  • Google mobile-friendly testing tool now has API access
  • Google may pick desktop over AMP page for the mobile-first index
  • Google begins mobile-first indexing, using mobile content for all search rankings
  • Google will show AMP URLs before App deep link URLs in mobile results
  • Google says page speed ranking factor to use mobile page speed for mobile sites

6.) Google: Payday Update

Propelled on June 11, 2013, Google Payday Update was a new Google search algorithm focused on cleaning up list items related to “spammy queries” such as payday loans or pornographic or some other kinds of heavily spammed queries.

It can be understood as a set of algorithm updates for the Google search engine results initiated to identify and penalize web sites that use different kinds of search engine spam techniques (also known as  Black Hat SEO or spamdexing) for improving their rankings for particular search queries that are actually “spammy”. Thus, it becomes important to beware of the Search Engine Penalties.

Let’s have a look at some recent Google updates: 

Recent Google Payday updates are

  • Google Payday Loan 1.0
  • Google Payday Loan 2.0
  • Google Payday Loan 3.0

7.) Google: Pirate Update

Google seo update
Pirate seo update

Introduced in August 2012, Google’s Pirate Update is a filter that prevents sites that have many copyright infringement reports, as documented through Google’s DMCA system.

It is periodically updated and at the point when updates happen, websites beforehand affected may getaway, if they have made the correct changes. It may likewise catch new websites that circumvented being caught recently; in addition, it may also release ‘false positives’ about those who were caught.

Some of the Google Pirate SEO latest updates-

  • The Pirate Update Penalized Websites That Received A High Volume Of Copyright Violation Reports
  • The Pirate Update Is A Win For Media And Artists
  • Getting A Page Removed From The Index Requires Valid Documentation

8.) Google: EMD Update

Launched in September 2012, The EMD (Exact Match Domain) Update is a filter used by Google to impede low-quality sites from positioning admirably just on the grounds that they had words that match search terms in their domains.

At the point when a crisp EMD Update happens, sites that have enhanced their content may recover great rankings. New sites that comprise poor content or all those that were previously missed by Google EMD updates may get caught. Likewise, “false positives” may also get discharged.

Google seo updates
Matt cutts tweet on google seo update

 According to Matt Cutts, “EMD is set to reduce low-quality ‘exact-match’ domains in search results.”

 9.) Google: Top Heavy Update

Google Top Heavy update was propelled in January 2012 as a way to avoid sites that were “top-heavy” with advertisements from positioning well in Google search listings.

Top Heavy is updated repeatedly, and at the point when a Top Heavy Update occurs, websites that have evacuated extreme advertisements may recapture their lost rankings. New sites considered as “top-heavy” may get caught again with the new Top-heavy update.

Some of the Google Top Heavy SEO Updates

  • Google Updates Its Page Layout Algorithm To Go After Sites “Top Heavy” With Ads
  • Have The Same Ad-To-Organic Ratio As Google Search? Then You Might Be Safe From The Top Heavy Penalty
  • The Top Heavy Update: Pages With Too Many Ads Above The Fold Now Penalized By Google’s “Page Layout” Algorithm

 10.) Google Page Rank Update

Google seo update
Google pagerank

On the off chance that you do SEO or are involved with search marketing, you will for sure come across Google Page Rank Topic eventually. Page Rank is Google’s arrangement of tallying link votes and figuring out which pages are most critical in view of them. These scores are then utilized alongside numerous other things to figure out whether a page will rank well in a search or not.

However, some of the experts find Page Rank as a metric that is out of date and deprecated now and they suggest marketers not waste time on them.

Google came up with its Last Toolbar Page Rank Update on 5/6 December 2013 and thereafter it declared- “PageRank is something that we haven’t updated for over a year now, and we’re probably not going to be updating it again going forward, at least the Toolbar version.”

Some of the Toolbar Page Rank Updates that decide SEO new updates are-

  • Toolbar Page Rank Updates released on 5/6 December 2013 (LAST PAGERANK UPDATE EVER)
  • Toolbar Page Rank Updates released on 4 February 2013
  • Toolbar Page Rank Updates released on 7 November 2012
  • Toolbar Page Rank Updates released on 2 August 2012
  • Toolbar Page Rank Updates released on 2 May 2012
  • Toolbar Page Rank Updates released on 7 February 2012
  • Toolbar Page Rank Updates released on 7 November 2011
  • Toolbar Page Rank Updates released on 1st Week August 2011
  • Toolbar Page Rank Updates released on July 2011

 In addition to aforestated SEO updates, two others that you should pay heed to are-

Fred Google SEO Update

This one was launched on March 8, 2017, and it regulates affiliate-heavy or ad-centered content. As one of the latest Google SEO Updates, Fred targets those sites that violate Google’s webmaster guidelines and include low-quality posts that are created with a single purpose to generate ad revenue.

To adjust with this update, SEOers need to watch out for thin content and in case they need to show ads then they should make sure that the web pages include high-quality content with relevant and ample information.

Possum Google SEO Update

Google launched possum update on September 1, 2016, and it manages the competition in the target locations. This SEO update is dedicated to ensure that local results depend more on the searcher’s location that means the closer searchers are to a business’s address, the more likely they would be to see it among local results.

For using this update to optimize SEO ranking, SEOers need to expand their keyword list, understand the SEO ranking factors and do location-specific rank tracking.

Once you are aware of all the Google search algorithm updates, the next step is to be in constant touch with top SEO resources to know all the latest Google SEO updates.

Following are the top 5 SEO resources for you to know all the latest Google SEO updates-

Top 5 resources to find latest Google SEO Updates

1.) Moz

Google seo updates
Moz

Moz is considered as one of the principal sites SEO professionals ought to take after to know all the latest Google SEO updates. Moz was begun in the year 2004, and from that point forward, it has been administering the SEO business.

From  Beginner’s Search Engine Guides to Mozinars to the latest Google SEO updates, there is no better place for SEO updates than Moz. It is additionally one of the wealthiest assets of best SEO tools and related Google SEO updates.

2.) Search Engine Land

Google seo updates
Search engine land

Without a doubt, Search Engine Land is a standout amongst the most prominent SEO resources on the web that covers every one of the points identified with search marketing.

Search Engine Land would be the first place to break Google SEO updates and to stay updated with the best SEO updates; you should take after their web journals. It is also the best place to know recent search algorithm updates, breaking stories, search industry patterns, and related changes.

3.) Search Engine Journal

Google seo update
Search engine journal

Propelled in 2003, Search Engine Journal is one of the best search marketing resources to know the latest Google SEO updates.

It lets you know all the Google updates for SEO. It is highly recommendable for marketers to follow Search Engine Journal to know search algorithm updates and related practices that will optimize your SEO campaigns, and aid you increase the traffic of your websites. This is the best place to figure out vital SEO patterns, techniques, and the latest SEO news.

4.) Webmaster World

Google seo updates
Webmaster world for seo

Take after Webmaster World to get a portion of the best search engine tips and latest Google SEO updates. Webmaster World is one of the best SEO resources that lets marketers learn all the aspects of search engine marketing is the most comprehensive manner.

The latest Google updates for SEO provided by Webmaster World are well informative and highly trusted as it is one of the oldest and most reputed places to know accurate and authentic news and trends of web marketing. 

5.) Search Engine Watch

Google seo updates
Search engine watch

Search Engine Watch is known as one of the best SEO assets to learn SEO and know all the Google latest updates in SEO. It includes a portion of the best SEO tips and tricks, and in the event that you wish to know the latest Google SEO updates that can enhance the optimization of your website, SEW will guide you with some of the best practical examples and latest SEO news.

It is the closest companion of search marketers who wish to enhance the capacity of their SEO campaign and helps them ensure better ranking in Search Engine Result Pages.

Conclusion

It is a must for search professionals to stay updated about all the latest Google SEO updates. The over-mentioned resources and search algorithms will aid them in the best possible manner. To monitor the latest updates for SEO, typical sources that marketing experts prefer are-  

  • Google Announcements 
  • Forum Chatter where Webmasters hangout
  • Other SEO News Sources 
  • SERP Trackers e.g. Mozcast, Rank Ranger, Algaroo 

Designing SEO campaigns after being aware of the latest SEO updates will for sure help you channelize successful search engine optimization campaigns that not only increase the number of visitors to your sites but also ensure conversions. Do update me in the comments if you find these Google SEO Updates useful.

Over the past years, Search Engine Optimization has made a remarkable position in the Digital Marketing landscape and proved its worth by delivering the desired results in the form of a higher rank in the SERP. To get an in-depth understanding of Search Engine Optimization, join our Search Engine Optimization Course.

Avatar of shivendra tiwari
Shivendra Tiwari
Engineer by Education, Marketing Influencer by Profession, and Creative Writer by Passion- Shivendra is involved in Branding, Advertising & Consulting in the domain of Digital Marketing over the years. He relies upon his Digital Marketing learnings and uses the creative DNA for composing blogs that have the applied zeal to engage, entertain and inspire the readers- to Connect- Convince- Convert their target audiences via different digital media channels.

51 thoughts on “Latest Google SEO Updates & Algorithm Changes”

  1. Avatar of shivendra tiwari
    shivendra tiwari

    Hi Dev,
    Google Pigeon Update alters the local listings in the search results; along with this, the local directory sites are given preference. For this, Google relies on factors like location & distance.
    To fight, continue to focus on the tried-and-true methods of local search that you’re used to. Here are a few things you may consider-
    1. Hyperlocalization
    2. Local Carousel Optimization
    3. Local SEO
    4. Get listed on Google My Business
    5. Utilizing traditional on-page SEO tactics, etc.
    Hope it helps you 🙂

  2. Please share how to improve my keywords ranking. Last 3 months i am doing SEO out of 33 keywords only 14 keywords are in 2nd page, rest all are 3rd & 4th page. So, what else i can do please guide me.

    1. Avatar of amar sontakke
      Amar Sontakke

      Hello Ganesh ,

      I am suggest to you, Please add some content with your targeted keyword as it is. then do the off page activity as bookmarking , forum etc ..

    2. Hi Ganesh,

      Please add some more content on your pages and add H1 tag including your keyword. H1 tags are very important

  3. Avatar of lokesh kumar
    Lokesh Kumar

    Hi,
    thanks to inform this blog to helping me gain more info in digital marketing.
    Can you tell me how to extra work and manage ORM our company.

  4. Hi there,
    Its a Nice Info, But i do have some doubt. what is the best way to see the page rank of a website… Since google has removed the feature. Is there any other tools for that,

    Thanks in Advance

      1. Avatar of piyush parmar
        Piyush Parmar

        Hi Divash,

        Page Rank not dead but it’s works only internally

        Thanks,
        Piyush Parmar
        (Google Certified)

    1. Avatar of piyush parmar
      Piyush Parmar

      Hi Vicky,

      Focus on Domain Authority and Page Authority rather than Page Rank.

      Thanks,
      Piyush Parmar
      (Google Certified)

  5. Hi,
    Thunk you so much for Giving such meaningful information.please provies some information how to bring keyword in top 10

  6. A great news on google algorithm updates. I always follow Search engine journal and Search engine Land for SEO update and currently review two update that may be rolling out i.e fred and possum update…So please give us a brief info on these two update.

  7. Thank you so much for the great information about google updates. I am really very tensed after this April 2017 update
    My website page views decreased by 15% .. although bounce rate decreased 5% and time per user increase 10-15%.
    So overall profit is down 15% and I am losing major keyword positions everyday after that update.. alexa ranking is also increasing. And my earning to decreased 50% ..Can you please tell me what should I do to get back my position within a month ?

    1. Avatar of shivendra tiwari
      shivendra tiwari

      Hi Raghav,
      Follow the below given steps, and tell me if it helps you-
      1.Assess your current search engine ranking
      2.Track the right metrics
      3.Diagnose and analyze penalties
      4.Do keyword research
      5.Go after your keywords with great content
      6.Build links the right way
      Cheers!

  8. 1) Can I use swedish keywords in english content?

    2) How it will help?

    3) Will it be black hat? Any reply will be appreciated.

    1. Avatar of vikas sudan
      vikas sudan

      Yes Ankit you are right we need to work as per google guidelines .. if we don’t follow google guidelines it’s come in negative seo which is not give benefit to our website

  9. Avatar of manish sharma
    Manish sharma

    The best article in this month for seo readers Provides with new seo updates and about update other tools. Thank you sir for update and sharing this meaningful information.

    1. Avatar of shivendra tiwari
      shivendra tiwari

      Hi Manish,
      Helping DM professionals in the best and accurate way possible is an absolute pleasure of DV team.
      Continue sharing your thoughts as it helps us create more useful and personalized DM posts.
      Cheers!

  10. Thanks to inform this blog to helping me gain more info in digital marketing. Can you tell me how to extra work and manage ORM our company.

    1. Avatar of shivendra tiwari
      Shivendra Tiwari

      Hi Raj,

      Feels good that you found it useful.
      Soon will come with a post that would discuss everything about White Hat SEO.

      Do follow us and cheers to Learning!

  11. this is very useful blog. i love the way you produced all the information in an understanding way. thank you for sharing.

  12. Avatar of prateek baranwal
    Prateek Baranwal

    Wow! This news is very good and very useful for me, But i have a Question?
    PayDay Updates use full for Organic Search results?
    Please help me if you know about it…

    Thanks…

  13. Avatar of jayaraj chanku
    Jayaraj Chanku

    Thanks a lot for this valuable information. I am a regular visitor in this platform as you provide recent updates. Thanks a lot..

    1. Hi Jayaraj,

      Thanks for your valuable feedback. Hope our blog would help you to learn digital marketing & become an expert.

  14. Great list on google and its Updating period of frequency. Great Blog on Google and its algorithms update

  15. Thanks Shivendra to share this Information,
    We can find all the information about SEO updates. It is a great post.

  16. Hello,
    Thanks for sharing this informative blog on Google SEO updates and gain valuable information. I am following your site regularly.

  17. Thanks for creating another great post. You’ve added everything that anybody would ever need to know on SEO updates and algorithms. I know I can always rely on your blogs when it comes to knowing about “What’s new in the Seo industry”. Keep up the good work guys.

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