Summary of Google 2020 algorithm changes, or key updates
Google search engine is the most popular tool for finding useful information and answers to various questions. When we search through it for products we are interested in, we visit various sites that will usually be on the first page of search results.
However, the fact that we ended up on these pages depends on the requirements by which Google publishes pages in search results. That’s why our favorite search engine bases its operation on artificial intelligence, which makes it constantly evolve. As a result, it introduces new algorithm updates that can cause quite an earthquake in the SEO industry.
There are several hundred such updates throughout the year, but we decided to present a few of the most important ones that have a decisive impact on the positioning of our site in search results.
Algorithm core update at the beginning of the year, i.e. January 2020 (January 2020 Core Update)
A new year brings new opportunities and challenges, and this was also the case with the introduction of the January update. Nevertheless, in this case, it is worth remembering that the core update is a continuation of the 2019 changes. In addition, Google has changed the SERP layout by allowing icons to be displayed next to individual search results.
The update did not touch specific industries so it can safely be described as a confirmation of the course taken by Google so far. Nevertheless, one should not forget here that it is worthwhile to provide your users with quality content on a site that is optimized for mobile devices.
Algorithm update in March 2020 (Nofollow Update)
This change is called the “nofollow update” for a reason, as it aims to change Google’s perception of links with the nofollow attribute. As you know, until now its function was to inform robots not to follow such a link any further. However, after the update, links of this type are used for analysis when robots index sites. Thus, internal nofollow links are a clue during the indexing of the site and may prove ineffective in blocking the indexation of its subpages. Therefore, if our site has such links, it is worth verifying them and reaching for the robots.txt file, which may prove to be a more effective solution.
The reason for such a change is, among other things, to improve search results and more accurately understand the use of anchor text against the linked page.
May 2020 Algorithm Core Update.
In March, through the pandemic, the search preferences of most users changed. At that time, the most common search queries were those on health topics. Therefore, the May update had to do with the worldwide situation.
However, when looking at the algorithm updates, it is worth bearing in mind that they are global and multidimensional. This was also the case here, making the changes affect many health-related sites and local search results. Moreover, the update was rolled out in multiple languages simultaneously, confirming its global nature.
December 2020 algorithm update (December 2020 Update)
For many, this update comes as a big surprise. It has been exactly 7 months since the May algorithm update, which indicated that we would soon experience more changes in Google’s algorithm. However, it should not be forgotten that both the end of the year and the beginning of the year are special times when such changes take place.
The effects of this update are not yet known to the SEO industry, so everything lies ahead. The most important thing to do now is, first of all, not to panic and carefully analyze the current situation. Especially since the first effects are visible 2-3 weeks after the first reports.
If your site has seen declines as a result of the algorithm update, it’s worth taking a closer look. Also, don’t forget that there may be an adjustment shortly after the implementation of the algorithm to fine-tune the changes.
Therefore, if in either case, your site has begun to lose visibility in search results, then we invite you to contact us to prepare a proposal of measures to build further website priority and rebuild losses after the update.
Want to know more about Google updates? Follow our blog or contact us.
