Google Confirms Primary Search Ranking Algorithm

Google has confirmed that they ran a “broad core algorithm update” last week that has affected the appearance and rankings of certain websites in the search results.

Google posted on Twitter that Google does these kinds of updates “several times per year” and there is absolutely nothing a site can do in particular to “fix” their ranking after the core update runs. “Some websites might note drops or gains,” Google explained and said if a page drops, it doesn’t necessarily indicate there is something wrong with that page, it happens to be just how Google modified their ranking models that now benefits “pages that were previously under-rewarded .”

Here is Google’s statement on Twitter :

Every day, Google generally releases one or more changes which are designed to enhance our results. Some are centered around certain improvements. Some are broad changes. Last week, we released a broad core algorithm update. We do these regularly several times per year.

Just like any update, some sites may note drops or gains. There’s practically nothing wrong with pages that may now perform less well. Rather, 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 stay focused on creating great content. With time, it might be that your content may rise relative to other pages.

There was speculation over the weekend about a Google update; this is Google confirming that speculation.