Googles Guidance About The Recent Ranking Update

Google’s latest ranking update has generated widespread discussion. Danny Sullivan provided insights into what changes have been made and what publishers can expect in future updates.

In his explainer, Sullivan highlighted Google’s ongoing efforts to refine their ranking algorithm and offer advice to those affected by recent changes.

Advice for Struggling Publishers

For publishers whose rankings have not improved, Sullivan advises patience and perseverance. He mentioned, “…if you’re feeling confused about what to do in terms of rankings…if you know you’re producing great content for your readers…If you know you’re producing it, keep doing that…it’s to us to keep working on our systems to better reward it.” This statement highlights Google’s commitment to high-quality content, encouraging creators to maintain their standards.

Continuously producing excellent content is crucial. Google’s algorithms are still evolving, and Sullivan indicated that eventually, these efforts will be recognised.

Sullivan cautioned against making radical changes to improve rankings, suggesting that it’s best to let high-quality content find its place naturally. He warned that tweaking content that already ranks well can negatively impact its position. His advice is clear: focus on creating valuable content, not manipulating rankings.

Why Feedback Doesn’t Guarantee Recovery

Sullivan clarified that submitting feedback does not directly lead to recovery in rankings. Instead, feedback helps Google identify widespread issues. He explained, “No one who submitted, by the way, got some type of recovery in Search because they submitted. Our systems don’t work that way.”

Google implements algorithmic fixes at scale, improving the system for everyone facing similar issues. This method aligns with Google’s broader goal of ensuring fair and consistent search results.

Focus on Quality Content

Sullivan encourages publishers to focus on consistently creating high-quality content. He stressed that publishers should not overly concentrate on algorithm optimisation but rather on the value and utility of their content.

High-quality content will eventually be recognised as Google’s algorithms are refined. For those whose content hasn’t yet seen improved rankings, patience and persistence are key.

Sullivan’s advice is straightforward: quality should be the main priority. By focusing on content quality, publishers are more likely to succeed in the long run.

The Future of Google’s Algorithm

Google’s commitment to improving its ranking algorithm is ongoing. Sullivan emphasised that this is a continuous process aimed at better recognising high-quality content, especially from smaller publishers. He mentioned, “What content creators should focus on…is consistently creating high-quality content and not to focus on optimising for algorithms. Focusing on quality should be the priority.”

Google’s future updates will likely continue to refine how content is evaluated, aiming to reward original and useful material more effectively.

The goal is to create a search environment where excellent content is accessible, regardless of the publisher’s size. This serves Google’s mission of delivering high-value information to its users.

In summary, Google’s ranking updates are part of a broader effort to elevate high-quality content, including from smaller publishers.

Creators should focus on maintaining the quality of their content, awaiting further algorithm refinements that will recognise their efforts.

Source: Searchenginejournal