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What Happened?
In late March an online forum was flooded with thousands of confidential documents. These documents were leaks of Google’s once secret algorithmic details. The content of these leaked documents was confirmed to be both real and true by Google in a release on May 29, 2024.
The once confidential information that was hidden away in these documents now gives crucial insights into how a website can be optimized for search and other SEO based features. These leaked documents emerged as Google began to face scrutiny for their Search Core updates. The search engine is in the midst of major overhauls, greatly altering the way traffic is brought to your site. While the update was intended to reduce spam content, many publishers have seen major decreases in website traffic. Understanding the information in these leaks can help SEO experts fine tune their sites and take advantage of the Google search algorithm during these times of change and uncertainty, so here’s what you should know.
Data Collection
Many readers were shocked to find just how much data Google collects and how valuable that data becomes. In a previous statement Google asserted that Chrome data was not taken into account for ranking purposes. This appears to be untrue as leaked documents note that Google uses Chrome data such as user engagement and site popularity to determine the site’s credibility. These documents also brought to light a Google feature called NavBoost. An integral part of the Google search algorithm, NavBoost uses click data to influence search engine results page rankings. This places an even greater importance on click through rates as Google appears to improve the rankings for pages that have a higher volume and quality of clicks.
Content Quality
Leaks about page quality point towards Google using a language model to determine whether content is AI generated or not. The model simultaneously determines the effort given to write the page and uses this information to help in ranking the page. This highlights the need for online content to not only be well written, but also written to address a need. Content should answer a question or provide information. Google uses a system called TeraGoogle to prioritize the ranking of content based on content freshness. This means that it is important to regularly update content to maintain and improve your page’s rankings. Google will also measure the quality of your image and video content. This means that content that is original and relevant to the text on your page will help rank your page higher.
Linking
The Google leaks confirm not just the importance of backlinking, but it also reaffirms the importance of backlink quality. The leaks seem to indicate that Google will penalize sites that gain traffic from backlinks originating from spam websites or sites that violate search engine guidelines. Leaked documents also suggest that links are ranked based on quality, more clicks leads to a higher link quality score. This reaffirms the importance of internal linking strategies. Linking content to related text allows for easier site navigation and increased clicks, thus improving your page’s rankings.
Industry Impact
The impact of these leaks is far from being fully understood. These newly discovered insights will lead to shifts in SEO strategies causing a ripple effect across the industry. As SEO experts alter their sites to fit the mold given from this leak, the Google algorithm will adapt and so will marketing strategies. With Google being one the largest and most influential search engines, their algorithm has a significant impact on your site’s online traffic. Their actions and updates will affect business owners from local shops to major corporations. It is important to be aware of changes in the in algorithm as it can greatly impact your site’s traffic and performance.
Navigating the Uncertainty
With a new understanding of Google softwares such as NavBoost and TeraGoogle and new information on ranking factors, these insights shed light on the ever changing nature of Google’s search algorithm. This tidal wave of information can have some feeling overwhelmed and confused. These leaks confirm the importance of a proactive and well informed approach towards SEO. We have learned that SEO is ever changing and in turn strategies for success are as well. Learning about the information in these leaks is important but what is more important is preparing for what comes next. SEO is a dynamic field and we almost always are learning. The information we gained from these leaks are not going to be the end-all be all solution to your company’s SEO woes. Instead you should view the leaked information as a tool and an opportunity to reevaluate your company’s SEO practices.
Strategic Adjustments
With this new found information there is no better time than the present to revamp your website. We have learned that investing in high quality and engaging content is worth every penny. The content of your website should not just be visually appealing but also regulatory updated and SEO optimized. It is important that you remain consistent in your page named practices, linking, and information quality. Consistency and quality will likely boost your Google rankings.
Keep in Mind
Understanding this newly available information is important and may help your site increase its SERP rankings, but you must also understand that none of this information is an exact science as the true weight of these ranking signals is not confirmed or fully understood. The information in this article is based on a data leak and the analysis of industry experts. It is important to understand that while the information provided is accurate and the insights are relevant, the Google search algorithm is ever changing and impossible to fully understand.
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