Google has updated its search algorithm yet again. But funnily enough, this time, nobody knows anything about it except that, yes, there are some changes in the algorithm. This is inline with the emerging practice at the search engine’s end of being vague with such announcements.
Here’s what Google tweeted on August 1, 2018:
This week we released a broad core algorithm update, as we do several times per year. Our guidance about such updates remains the same as in March, as we covered here: https://t.co/uPlEdSLHoX
— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) 1 August 2018
The tweet refers to multiple tweets pushed back in March 2018, that reads, "As with any update, some sites may note drops or gains. There’s nothing wrong with pages that may now perform less well. Instead, it’s that changes to our systems are benefiting pages that were previously under-rewarded... There’s no "fix" for pages that may perform less well other than to remain focused on building great content. Over time, it may be that your content may rise relative to other pages."
Unless you’re a sorcerer or e-psychic, there isn’t much definite that you can make out of these statements. They are ambiguous, drivel and even suggest that there isn’t anything you can do about this update.
So, does that mean you plug in Drake’s "Do You Love Me", do the Kiki challenge, and suspend your SEO strategies on hope and algorithms? Well, not exactly. We mean, that’s certainly a good idea but there are few things that can do to tame the impact of Broad Core Algorithm update for the long-run.
Now listen up close.
No, not the song! These 5 important things:
1.Understand the BASICS
Before you go about exploring what needs to be done, you need to understand what it is in the first place.
Google has over 200 ranking factors. Some of its previous algorithm updates (like Penguin, Panda, Hummingbird and more) were all targeted to solve one particular problem - or a very specific set of problems - that was related to one or selected SEO factors.
However, the 'Broad Core Algorithm update', as the name suggests, is implemented on a broad spectrum. It might affect just one SEO factor or can have widespread implications across 200 factors. No one knows.
The phrase ‘core’ is noteworthy as well. It means the algorithm change isn’t a single fix to combat any malpractice on users/professionals’ end. The change is much fundamental that’s aimed to shift the framework of the search engine for better performance.
2.Don’t WORRY about it
Like Google has already clarified, there isn’t much you can do about this Broad Core update. So, worrying about it won’t help your case, would it?
Besides, imagine, were you under-rewarded by Google all this time, this change could bring a big boost to your search metrics, taking your business or projects to new heights.
So, if you always believed your website deserved to rank higher, this might be the ultimate turning point for your fate.
3.WORRY About it (A Lot)
...But on second thought, what if things go from bad to worse? What if this update totally messes up your SEO result, dragging your ranking on SERP to new lows? What if your competitors take you over? What’s worse, in fact, is if that happens, you will never know what exactly went wrong and how you’re going to rebound.
Now that’s something to be worried about.
To make this point even starker, here are few signs that Google’s Broad Core Algorithm update might actually bring you some bad news:
- Your SEO-strategy is totally keyword-centric and doesn’t focuses on users.
- You don’t have high-quality, comprehensive contents on your website.
- You’re involved in link farming (or similar arrangement) for more backlinks. You prioritize quantity > quality.
- You have taken up black hat SEO practices. Even the grey ones are at risk.
If you gasped and went “that is me” reading any of these signs, things might actually go bad for you in the coming days.
4.Not a one-time thing
Google did this in March 2018. Now it has happened again in August.
It’s safe to assume that this Broad Core Algorithm Update aren’t a one-time thing. It will be happening more in the future. While sometimes Google will bluntly announce about it with ambiguity, other times it might remain hushed as it has been with so many of its updates.
So, more so than ever, today, it’s no less than essential that you craft your SEO strategies according to Google’s guidelines instead of finding loopholes and trying to trick the system.
In 2018, the only way to rank atop Google SERP is to provide your target audience ultra-high-quality product and contents. There’s no way around it.
Indeed, you can find a few backdoor techniques to leverage on the imperfection of Google’s search system. However, as we move forward and as the search engine continues to make broad core changes in its algorithm, you will find all your backdoors shut hard. And it’s very likely you will end up getting hurt.
So, your best bet right now is to listen to what Google wants you to do. That’s how you can rank higher on result pages.
5.Something "BIG" is happening
Matt Cutts, head of search spam at Google, in one of his YouTube videos, said that over time backlinks will become little less important. And he said that in 2014. Four years since that sensational revelation, things are surely looking to be heading that way.
In recent times, there was been quite a hullabaloo about how contents and backlinks are two of the most important ranking factors. This has led to many taking up unethical practices.
To combat this menace, Google has been more hell-bound than ever. Rankbrain is one of its finest creation in the process. Rankbrain is a machine learning ranking program that evolves and grow to rank websites without any human involvement. It has already proven to be much more efficient that Google engineers.
As the search engine goes about widely adapting this AI-powered program, the SEO dynamics could change exponentially. In 2016, it was noted that RankBrain is already handling about 15 percent of Google’s daily search queries. If this trend continues, the other ranking factors could become less and less relevant, including the backlinks, as was admitted by Matt Cutts in 2014.
Of course, claiming any of these with 100 percent surety is almost impossible for now. However, if you connect the dots, that’s the direction the SEO world is heading towards.
BOTTOMLINE: The spray-and-pray SEO practices may have taken you this far, BUT it can’t continue forever. This Broad Core Algorithm update could be its ultimate stoppage. So, it’s high time you change your SEO strategies. Because Google is all prepped up to give you back if you don’t.
