10 Google algorithms every SEO should know

Google's algorithms are a complex system of rules and processes Google uses to analyze, assess and rank billions of web pages. Thanks to them, search results are sorted and shown quickly and match what users need.

Understanding how Google's algorithms work not only helps you “decode” why a site appears at the top of Google, it is also the key to improving your search rankings and reaching the right target customers. Let's MONA Media look at it in more detail in the article below.

What is the Google algorithm? Why does Google update it so often? 

The Google algorithm is the system of rules and processes Google uses to find and rank content on the internet based on a user's query. It is the core of how Google shows the most relevant results, and is also called the Google core algorithm, which includes other smaller Google algorithms.

Google updates its search algorithm almost every day, but most changes are small and hard to notice. A few times a year, Google releases major updates called core updates, which usually affect rankings clearly and are officially announced.

Each update aims to improve search quality and address the following issues:

• Help Google better understand user search intent.
• Show results that are relevant, match what people need and have real value.
• Prevent spam and ranking manipulation tactics.
• Adapt to Under the SEO trends new trends such as voice search SEO, SEO for AI Overviews
• Deal with poor-quality content, misinformation, or sites that abuse brand reputation.
• Make sure quality, helpful content has a chance to appear high in search results.

I know a lot of you in SEO tense up when you hear “Google algorithm”, afraid of updates and of dropping from the top without knowing why. So in this video I'll sit down and walk you through each Google algorithm in the simplest way, so you know what Google dislikes and what to do right. Watch it now.

10 core Google algorithms every SEO should know

Khi SEO, it is important to know Google's algorithms in order to optimize a site and improve its rankings. Because Google keeps updating its algorithms to improve user experience, SEOs need to understand them so they can adjust their strategy effectively.

Google Panda algorithm

Launch date: First released on February 24, 2011

Update frequency: Updated monthly to keep improving search result quality.

Purpose of the Google Panda algorithm:

• Improve user experience.

• Boost the rankings of sites with high-quality content.

• Lower the rankings of, or penalize, sites with low-quality, spammy content that adds no value.

Specifically, the types of content Google Panda penalizes include:

• Thin content: Lacking information, unclear and of no value.

• Plagiarism or duplicate content: Copying content from other sources or repeating content within the same site.

• Low-quality content: Wrong information, lots of spelling mistakes, no depth.

• Content farming: Mass-producing content that has no real value for users.

• Keyword stuffing: Using too many keywords unnaturally, hurting the reading experience.

• High ad ratio: Ads take up most of the page, with little or no useful main content.

• Spam comments or low-quality content created by users.

• Pages rated low by users or blocked directly in search results.

How do you avoid a Panda penalty?

• Update and review content regularly to keep quality up.

• Remove all duplicate or plagiarized content.

• Avoid keyword stuffing, and use keyword density keywords naturally and in context.

• Focus on in-depth, quality content that gives readers real value.

• Improve user experience: content that is easy to read and understand, with accurate and trustworthy information.

Google RankBrain algorithm

Launch date: was first introduced on October 26, 2015.

Main goal of the algorithm:

• As part of Google's ranking system, RankBrain uses machine learning to better understand user search intent.

• It helps return the most relevant and accurate results for search queries, especially new keywords or ones never seen before.

Sites at risk from RankBrain

• Pages whose content is unrelated to the query or does not meet what the user needs.

• Sites with low-quality content, little credibility or no real value.

• Sites with poor user experience, such as slow loading, hard-to-use design or no mobile compatibility.

How do you keep good rankings with Google RankBrain?

• For academic or specialist keywords, produce in-depth content with reliable sources and high accuracy.

• For keywords tied to current events such as natural disasters or epidemics, information must be updated quickly and verified clearly.

• Build in-depth content on a given topic to earn natural authority and raise your site's credibility.

• Use a range of related keywords instead of repeating a single one, which makes content more natural and easier to follow.

Google Penguin algorithm

Launch date: was officially launched on April 24, 2012.

Update frequency: Updated in real time, reflecting a site's link quality continuously and accurately.

Goal of the algorithm

• Focuses on assessing backlink quality and dealing with deliberate link manipulation to raise rankings.

• Lowers the rankings of sites that use backlink spam or build unnatural links.

Behaviors that can get a site penalized by Google Penguin include:

• Taking part in link schemes meant to deliberately raise rankings.

• Creating or buying backlinks from disreputable, low-quality sources.

• Using tools to create backlinks in bulk or unnaturally.

• Excessive or illogical link exchanges between websites.

• Repeating the same keyword many times in anchor text or using anchor text that does not fit the context.

• Linking to unrelated pages or pages whose content does not match the description.

How do you avoid a Google Penguin penalty?

• Monitor your backlink profile regularly, at least once a week, to catch unusual links.

• Remove or disavow toxic backlinks that could hurt your site's ranking.

• Use the Google Disavow Links to ask Google to ignore unwanted links, especially backlinks that competitors may have sent to damage your site's reputation.

Google Mobile Friendly algorithm

Launch date: Mobile Friendly was introduced by Google on April 21, 2015.

Update frequency: has been updated continuously over the years to match the growing use of mobile devices.

Goal of the algorithm

• Assesses how a website displays and performs on mobile devices.

• A mobile-friendly site has a big advantage in search rankings.

• This is one of the important factors Google uses to rank sites in search

Criteria Mobile Friendly emphasizes

• A layout that displays well on small screens, with no need to zoom or scroll sideways.

• Fast page loading, suited to mobile connections.

• Buttons and links that are easy to tap and not awkward to use.

• Content displays fully, with no font errors.

How to check mobile friendliness

• Manual check: Visit the site on a phone or tablet to experience it like a regular user.

• Use a tool: Google PageSpeed Insights is a popular option for analyzing a site's performance and mobile optimization.

Google Pigeon algorithm

Launch date: was announced on July 24, 2014.

Update dates: Google continued to update and adjust it on December 22, 2014

Goal of the algorithm

• To give users more accurate, relevant search results based on location and related factors.

• Helps improve the local search experience, for example “coffee shop near me” or “reliable car repair center”.

Google Pigeon makes it easier for local businesses to appear in search results and on Google Maps. The three main factors affecting local rankings are:

• Relevance: SEO-optimized website contentthat reflects what the user is searching for.

• Distance: The algorithm considers the distance from the user's location to business locations.

• Prominence: Businesses rank higher if they are well known, have many positive reviews and are active across online networks.

When a user runs a search, the keyword is analyzed and matched against relevant databases. Pigeon then evaluates how well each site fits. Each time a page meets the criteria well, it earns a Pigeon Rank score, which directly affects where it appears.

Pigeon also links local search results more closely with Google's overall ranking system. This gives small and local businesses a better chance to compete by clearly and professionally optimizing their website and business profile. 

The range of results shown was also adjusted to focus on locations closest to the user. Google used to show 7 results on the map, but since Pigeon this has dropped to 3, making competition for a spot fiercer than ever.

Sites at risk of negative effects

• Sites with poor-quality content or content that does not reflect their line of business.

• Mistakes in setting up the Google My Business profile.

• Missing clear contact information or absent from local directories.

How to optimize your site for Google Pigeon

• Make sure your name, address and phone number (NAP) on the website are clear, accurate and consistent across all platforms.

• Fully optimize your Google My Business profile with detail.

• Build your online reputation through customer reviews and feedback.

• Keep your business information updated on local platforms and reputable directories.

Google Hummingbird algorithm

Launch date: was introduced on August 30, 2013.

Update dates: updated in October 2019

Goal of the algorithm

• Hummingbird was designed to better understand what users really intend when they search, especially long keywords and questions.

• Instead of relying on single keywords, Google can now analyze meaning, context, location and time of search to give more relevant and accurate results.

How to optimize your site for Google Hummingbird

• Focus on users: Content should target the right audience, answer their questions and meet their real needs.

• Use varied keywords: Don't just use the main keyword, include synonyms, related terms and semantic phrases to enrich the content.

• Optimize user experience: An easy-to-use interface, optimized images, fast loading and clear, readable content help improve rankings.

• Use keywords naturally: Avoid excessive keyword spam, and use keywords the way people actually speak or search.

• Clear site structure: Build an SEO-friendly site that is easy to navigate and helps users find information quickly and conveniently.

• Build quality backlinks: Build natural links from reputable sources to raise your site's credibility.

Google Pirate algorithm 

Launch date: August 2012 

Update dates: October 2014.

Goal of the algorithm: To lower the rankings of sites that are repeatedly reported for copyright infringement, such as stealing articles, films, music or other intellectual property.

Sites affected

• Sites that Google confirms have infringing content through reports in Google Search Console.

• Mostly sites that share films, music, books or documents without the owner's permission.

What to do if Google Pirate affects you

• If you are the legitimate owner and find your content used without permission, submit a takedown request under the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) process to ask Google to remove the infringing results from search.

Google Fred algorithm

Launch date: was officially rolled out on March 8, 2017.

Goal of the algorithm: Google Fred targets black hat SEO tricks such as tips and tactics used to “fool” the search system. It removes low-quality sites, especially those that focus on profiting from ads or selling links without giving users real value.

Sites vulnerable to Fred

• Sites with too many ads, even confusing or annoying ones.

• Pages with many unnecessary outbound links that dilute the value of the main content.

• Low-quality, shallow content, just enough to “fool” the search engine.

• Poor mobile design and experience, not user-friendly.

• Pages over-optimized for SEO that ignore the reader's experience and benefit.

How to keep your site safe from Google Fred

• Use ads sensibly, without overwhelming the main content or annoying viewers.

• Focus on quality content that gives readers real value.

• Limit unnecessary outbound links.

• Make sure the site works well on mobile and has a clear, easy-to-use structure.

Google Zebra algorithm

Launch date: was introduced in March 2013.

Goal of the algorithm: To stop the abuse of social platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for spamming links to push a site up in SEO.

Behaviors Google Zebra penalizes:

• Sharing one link too many times on social media just to raise rankings.

• Posting links everywhere in comments, especially on unrelated posts.

• Spamming links in off-topic groups, forums or communities.

• Posting masses of links on a personal page with no useful content alongside.

• Using social media unnaturally as a tool to “push” SEO rankings.

• Impersonating other people's accounts or creating fake accounts to boost engagement.

• Using non-transparent tricks to grow followers.

• Spamming links on Google+ or creating many unclear, inauthentic Google+ accounts.

How do you avoid a Google Zebra penalty?

• Build a reputable Google+ account with clear, trustworthy information.

• Use secondary accounts sensibly, only for real, valuable interaction.

• Share links in suitable, on-topic groups and communities.

• Plan your article sharing clearly and avoid random, uncontrolled posting.

• Name your Google+ account according to the rules, and don't use a brand or service name, to avoid a heavy penalty.

• Avoid joining groups that trade likes, shares or dishonest follows.

Google Possum algorithm

Launch date: 1/9/2016.

Goal of the algorithm: To improve local search accuracy by using the user's actual location to show the most relevant results. Businesses close to where the user is searching have a better chance of appearing higher in results.

Google Possum's impact on local SEO

• A business in a suburb of a city can now also appear in that city's search results, as long as it fits the query.

• Businesses with a complete Google My Business profile and clear NAP (name, address, phone number) information are favored in results.

How to optimize your site for Google Possum

• Provide a clear business address: This builds trust with both users and Google. A specific, accurate address helps a lot in improving local rankings.

• Use keywords naturally and where they fit: Work keywords tied to your location and line of business into your content in a way that reads well, so Google can easily understand what your business does and rate it correctly.

How to tell how much a Google update affected you, and how to recover

Every time Google updates its search algorithm, your website can be affected. Spotting the signs early and knowing how to respond is what keeps your rankings steady. Below are the most common signs that a site has been hit, and what to do about it.

How to tell how much a Google update has affected you

After each Google algorithm update, you need to track and assess the impact on your website. Two things to watch closely are organic traffic and keyword rankings. Metrics such as impression also show how well your pages are performing in search results.

You can use two SEO tools free and very effective tools, Google Analytics and Google Search Console, to check and analyze your data. Google also provides charts that make it easy to see changes in traffic that line up with algorithm updates.

When you track keyword rankings, you may run into different situations:

If A small drop in rankings, for example from position 2 to position 4, does not call for immediate action. Small shifts are often normal, and a rushed reaction can backfire.

On the other hand, if rankings fall sharply, for example from position 4 all the way to 29, that is a warning sign and you need to look more closely. Start with questions like these:

• Does the current content meet what users are actually looking for?
• Is the information on the page trustworthy, accurate and useful?
• Does the content meet the EEAT criteria ?
• Is the user experience on the page good?
• Does the page load fast enough?

How to recover your website after a Google update

If your website has lost a lot of ground since a Google algorithm update, you can take these steps to improve the situation:

• Raise the quality of your content: Update your articles so they are useful, on topic and match what readers need.
• Check the quality of your backlinks: Review your link profile closely and remove harmful, unnatural or low-quality backlinks.
• Optimize user experience: Speed up your pages, make sure the design works on every device, and give the site clear, easy navigation.
• Meet technical SEO standards: Make sure the site covers the SEO basics, such as clear URL structure, title tags, meta descriptions and optimized images.
• Wait and monitor: Once your changes are done, be patient. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few months for Google to crawl the site again and reassess its quality.

Recovery does not happen overnight, but if you go about it the right way and stay patient, your rankings can come back and may even end up better than before.

Frequently asked questions about Google algorithms

1. How many times a year does Google update its algorithm?

By most estimates, Google makes around 500 to 600 algorithm updates a year. Most of these changes are small and do not have a big effect on a website's rankings.

2. Is Google's algorithm complicated?

Google's ranking system is very complex and is updated all the time. Some ranking factors have been announced publicly, but how the system really works has never been disclosed. Experts estimate there may be more than 200 different ranking factors, which are adjusted continuously to deliver the best possible search results.

3. Which algorithms does Google use to rank websites?

One of the first and best-known is PageRank, developed by Larry Page and Sergey Brin. It ranks web pages by the number and quality of the links pointing to them. PageRank matters less than it used to, but it was the foundation that helped Google become the dominant search engine.

That wraps up the most common Google algorithms that anyone working in SEO should know. We hope this gives you a clearer and more accurate picture of how Google evaluates and ranks websites, so you can build a solid SEO plan, grow your site and reach lasting high rankings in search.

If you want to save time and effort and climb to the top of Google faster, let MONA help you with SEO services to reach lasting top rankings on Google.

Our experienced team will plan and deliver SEO strategy full-scope SEO, tailored to your business goals and your specific situation, aimed at steady growth online. Contact MONA for a consultation and a detailed full-scope SEO quote, as quickly as possible.