Keep up to date with Google’s algorithm changes

With Google’s latest August 2024 algorithm update now fully rolled out and active, you may have noticed some changes to your rankings, or the amount of traffic your website receives. So what are these algorithm changes, and why does Google implement them? And what can your business do to keep up to date with Google’s algorithm changes?

Why does Google roll out algorithm changes?

Google regularly rolls out updates and changes to its algorithm, and these changes play an important role and serve a number of important purposes. Gaining a thorough understanding of these changes, and why they are implemented, can help your business to develop an SEO strategy that will be successful in the long term. 

There are many reasons for these regular algorithm changes, including:

• Improving user experience- One of the key reasons for Google’s regular updates is their focus on delivering the best possible user experience. It’s important for Google’s continued role in the industry that the results they show are the most relevant and useful for searchers. As a result, Google’s previous updates have brought in steps like the Core Web Vitals update and Mobile-First Indexing, which have prioritised the user experience across devices and focused on elements such as page speed and stability. 
• Fighting manipulative practices- Another reason for the regular Google algorithm updates is that some businesses use underhanded or manipulative strategies to try and cheat their way to the top of the search rankings. Google’s algorithm updates can detect and penalise these practices, to ensure that searchers are given top quality results. 
• Prioritising relevant content- Many of Google’s algorithm updates are designed specifically to  deliver search results that closely match the users’ intent. This includes updates that have focused on understanding the context of a search and the type of language used, to improve Google’s ability to interpret a search query. 
• Combating misinformation- One of the more recent reasons for some of Google’s algorithm updates has been to fight the rise of fake news and misinformation online. For example, Google’s implementation of the E-E-A-T update as a way to rate and rank content ensures that only top quality content can rank highly. 

Different types of Google’s algorithm updates

How can your business keep up to date with Google’s algorithm changes?

So, with all this in mind, how exactly can your business keep up to date with the algorithm changes? And what can you do to stay on top of your game? Well, there are a number of steps you can take, including:

Regularly monitoring algorithm updates- One of the easiest ways to keep up to date with the algorithm changes is to stay up to date with the latest news. This is because Google’s algorithm changes are often announced beforehand, which gives you an early warning system that can help you to adjust your SEO strategy in time.

Conduct regular SEO audits- Implementing regular SEO audits will help your business to identify any potential problems or issues with your current SEO strategy, and this will also highlight any gaps or areas that need to be improved. This audit should include the page speed, technical SEO elements, and backlinks. 

Create high quality content- Another way that your business could stay on top of algorithm updates is to focus on creating content that is relevant, useful, original and high quality. These are the factors that Google is almost always updating for, and so you can stay ahead of any changes by producing high value content. This content needs to be prioritised to meet the requirements of the user intent, to offer effective solutions, and be regularly created and updated. 

Focus on website usability- As Google updates focus on improving the user experience, another way you can stay on top of these is to make sure that your website is designed with usability in mind. This could include optimising page speed, ensuring mobile responsiveness, and making navigation intuitive.

What are the benefits of keeping up with algorithm changes?

Taking steps to keep your business up to date with Google’s algorithm updates can be very beneficial for a number of reasons, including:

Higher search rankings- One of the biggest benefits of keeping up to date with Google’s algorithm changes is that this can help you maintain or improve your current search rankings, even when the changes are rolled out. This is because, if your strategy aligns with the aims of Google’s algorithm update, your website will be more likely to secure a higher ranking position. 

Improving the user experience- By aligning your content and SEO strategy, as well as your overall website design, with the user experience targets that Google’s algorithm updates focus on, your business can stay ahead, while also ensuring a better quality of user experience on your website. This might include improving page speed, making your website more mobile friendly, and focusing on changes that improve overall usability. These changes not only help your website to perform better in search rankings, but also boosts engagement, reduces bounce rates, and encourages users to stay longer and explore more content.

Improving your businesses reputation and authority- Adapting to algorithm changes that prioritise E-E-A-T helps your business to build a quality reputation online. This can make your website become a source of reliable industry information, helping to ensure your businesses long term success. 

Protecting your business from penalties- Google’s algorithm changes often come with penalties for non-compliance, particularly when it comes to manipulative or outdated SEO practices. By staying informed and adhering to best practices, your business can avoid costly penalties that might result in significant drops in rankings and organic traffic.

Being adaptable to future trends- Regularly updating your businesses SEO strategies in line with Google’s algorithm changes ensures that your company will be future-proof for long term success.

For professional SEO support for your business online, we are the team you can count on here at Pumpkin Web Design. As Preston’s leading SEO experts, we work with businesses across the country, in a wide range of industry areas, to deliver SEO success. Why not get in touch today to find out more?

How can your business keep up to date with Google’s algorithm changes?

So, with all this in mind, how exactly can your business keep up to date with the algorithm changes? And what can you do to stay on top of your game? Well, there are a number of steps you can take, including:

• Regularly monitoring algorithm updates- One of the easiest ways to keep up to date with the algorithm changes is to stay up to date with the latest news. This is because Google’s algorithm changes are often announced beforehand, which gives you an early warning system that can help you to adjust your SEO strategy in time.
• Conduct regular SEO audits- Implementing regular SEO audits will help your business to identify any potential problems or issues with your current SEO strategy, and this will also highlight any gaps or areas that need to be improved. This audit should include the page speed, technical SEO elements, and backlinks. 
• Create high quality content- Another way that your business could stay on top of algorithm updates is to focus on creating content that is relevant, useful, original and high quality. These are the factors that Google is almost always updating for, and so you can stay ahead of any changes by producing high value content. This content needs to be prioritised to meet the requirements of the user intent, to offer effective solutions, and be regularly created and updated. 
• Focus on website usability- As Google updates focus on improving the user experience, another way you can stay on top of these is to make sure that your website is designed with usability in mind. This could include optimising page speed, ensuring mobile responsiveness, and making navigation intuitive.

What are the benefits of keeping up with algorithm changes?

Taking steps to keep your business up to date with Google’s algorithm updates can be very beneficial for a number of reasons, including:

• Higher search rankings- One of the biggest benefits of keeping up to date with Google’s algorithm changes is that this can help you maintain or improve your current search rankings, even when the changes are rolled out. This is because, if your strategy aligns with the aims of Google’s algorithm update, your website will be more likely to secure a higher ranking position. 
• Improving the user experience- By aligning your content and SEO strategy, as well as your overall website design, with the user experience targets that Google’s algorithm updates focus on, your business can stay ahead, while also ensuring a better quality of user experience on your website. This might include improving page speed, making your website more mobile friendly, and focusing on changes that improve overall usability. These changes not only help your website to perform better in search rankings, but also boosts engagement, reduces bounce rates, and encourages users to stay longer and explore more content.
• Improving your businesses reputation and authority- Adapting to algorithm changes that prioritise E-E-A-T helps your business to build a quality reputation online. This can make your website become a source of reliable industry information, helping to ensure your businesses long term success. 
• Protecting your business from penalties- Google’s algorithm changes often come with penalties for non-compliance, particularly when it comes to manipulative or outdated SEO practices. By staying informed and adhering to best practices, your business can avoid costly penalties that might result in significant drops in rankings and organic traffic.
• Being adaptable to future trends- Regularly updating your businesses SEO strategies in line with Google’s algorithm changes ensures that your company will be future-proof for long term success.

For professional SEO support for your business online, we are the team you can count on here at Pumpkin Web Design. As Preston’s leading SEO experts, we work with businesses across the country, in a wide range of industry areas, to deliver SEO success. Why not get in touch today to find out more?