8 of the Biggest Google Algorithm Updates of 2018

A common struggle for SEO experts is keeping up with Google’s ever-changing search algorithms. In fact, Google’s Dan Sullivan claimed “We do some type of focused update nearly daily.” The rest of this post will discuss eight of the highlights of Google’s algorithm updates throughout 2018. “Brackets” Core Update (March 8th) Google updates sometimes happen in waves – or the effects are felt in waves. In the wake of a Core update, the first implication typically means that it’s time for an organization within a certain industry(s) to rethink their content strategy. The purpose of this update was simply to help searchers quickly answer black and white questions. Mobile-First Index Roll-Out (March 26th) The web has been moving towards mobile for several years. Content gathered by mobile-first indexing has no ranking advantage over mobile content that’s not yet gathered this way or desktop content. This change means that searchers are now treated to a number of video results per their query – most of them being from YouTube, which Google has owned since 2006. Mobile Speed Update (July 9th) 2018 was certainly a good year for mobile. The Mobile Speed Update of the summer placed a big emphasis on the loading times of mobile websites when determining rankings of mobile searches.

Author: Jaykishan Panchal / Source: Jeffbullas’s Blog

8 of the Biggest Google Algorithm Updates of 2018

A common struggle for SEO experts is keeping up with Google’s ever-changing search algorithms. Every year, there is a slew of updates that force organizations across industries to ditch their playbooks and return to the drawing board. Some of these changes are seen coming from a mile away, while others seemingly emerge out of nowhere and send SEO experts into a panic.

2018 was no exception to the continuous refinement of Google’s ranking algorithm. In fact, Google’s Dan Sullivan claimed “We do some type of focused update nearly daily.”

The rest of this post will discuss eight of the highlights of Google’s algorithm updates throughout 2018.

Let’s discuss.

1. Confirmed Image Search Update (February 15^th)

The Image Search Update was one that certainly raised some eyebrows, both on the business side and the user side. This change did away with the longstanding “Search by Image” and “View Image” buttons on Google searches. Post-February 15^th, 2018, users cannot view images without navigating to the website they live on. According to Google SearchLiaison, the intention is so “users can see images in the context of the webpages they are on.”

Confirmed Image Search Update for Google algorithm updates

Generally speaking, this update was met with applause from webmasters, as they would see an increase in web traffic from image searches. On the user side, many saw this change as a petty roadblock to viewing images.

The reasoning behind this Google update is not clear. Some think it has to do with a legal spat with Getty Images…

2. “Brackets” Core Update (March 8^th)

Google updates sometimes happen in waves – or the effects are felt in waves. The “Brackets” Core Update was a perfect example of this. Some organizations saw changes in their search rankings as early as March 4^th, while most felt the effects on March 8^th and throughout the proceeding weeks. In the wake of a Core update, the first implication typically means that it’s time for an organization within a certain industry(s) to rethink their content strategy.

Brackets core Update for Google algorithm updates

The question revolves around the specifics of creating content to abide by Google’s new rules. Google’s John Mueller gave an explanation of this update and mentioned that the primary focus of this change was more about content relevance than strictly quality.

When creating content, organizations should focus on improving their E-A-T Score and ensure the links they build are in good context with their messaging.

3. Zero-Result SERP (March 14^th)

The Zero-Result SERP update didn’t make gigantic waves across the web, nor did it send SEO specialists into a panic. The purpose of this update was simply to help searchers quickly answer black and white questions. “Black and white questions” refer to ones related to calculations, weather, time, etc.