Hey there, fellow internet enthusiasts! 👋 It’s your favorite marketer here, ready to chat about something that’s on all our minds: Google algorithm changes. 🤯

We all know that Google’s algorithm is the bread and butter of the search engine world. It’s what makes the engine work, and it’s constantly changing. And as we saw in 2020, those changes can be big. 😱

So, let’s dive into what you need to know about navigating the latest Google algorithm changes. 💻

Understanding the Purpose of Google Algorithm Changes

Before we start, we need to understand why Google makes changes to their algorithm. The main goal is to improve the user experience. Google wants to provide the best possible results for every search query. They want users to have a relevant and helpful experience every time they use the search engine. 🌟

If we keep that in mind, we can be better prepared for changes when they come. We know that Google is looking for ways to make search results more helpful and less spammy. So, if we’re doing things on our own websites that align with those goals, we’ll be in good shape. 🙌

A picture of a happy Google user holding their phone

Core Web Vitals

One of the biggest updates from Google in 2020 was the Core Web Vitals update. These are three metrics that Google uses to measure user experience on websites. If your site doesn’t meet these metrics, it could negatively impact your rankings. 😬

The three metrics are:

  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) – measures loading performance.
  • First Input Delay (FID) – measures interactivity.
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) – measures visual stability.

So, it’s important to make sure your site is optimized for these metrics. There are plenty of free tools available to help you measure and optimize your site, like Google’s PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse.

A picture of someone measuring website performance on a laptop

Mobile-First Indexing

Another Google algorithm change that was pushed heavily in 2020 was mobile-first indexing. This means that Google now predominantly uses the mobile version of a website’s content for indexing and ranking.

If your website isn’t optimized for mobile devices, you’re going to get left in the dust. This is especially important considering that over half of all internet traffic comes from mobile devices. So, make sure your website is responsive and optimized for mobile.

A person browsing a website on their phone

BERT

Another update that Google rolled out in 2020 was the BERT update. This update made Google better at understanding natural language and contextualizing search queries.

So what does that mean for website owners? You need to focus on creating high-quality content that answers your audience’s questions. It’s important to use natural language throughout your content, and to make sure it’s written with the user in mind.

A picture of someone typing a search query into Google

E-A-T

Another factor that Google is paying more attention to is E-A-T: Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness. This means that Google wants to see that your website is being written and maintained by experts in your field, and that the information on your site is trustworthy and accurate.

So, make sure you have a clear and transparent authorship on your website, and that you’re providing accurate information that aligns with the goals of your website.

A picture of someone looking at a website on their laptop

Phew, that was a lot of information to take in! 😅 But hopefully, now you have a better idea of how to navigate the latest Google algorithm changes. Remember, the key is to keep the user in mind and make sure your website is providing high-quality, helpful content. 🌟

A picture of someone sailing a ship through choppy waters