What was Google's Recent Update
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kindergoed2018
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What was Google's Recent Update
I hard that there was a big google algorithm update. I am not sure what was that. Does anyone know about it ?
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seo247527
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Re: What was Google's Recent Update
The Google search algorithm update from August 1 is now fully rolled out, and here is what we know about the update, who we think was impacted and some of the analysis of what, if any, actions you may want to consider taking if you were negatively impacted.
In summary, Google is calling this a broad, global, core update, but based on much of the analysis done thus far, there seems to be a focus on health and medical sites and YMYL Your Money Your Life sites. But many sites besides those were impacted by the update. Google is telling us that there is nothing you can do to fix your site, so you should just focus on making a great experience, offer better content and a more useful website. This update has taken on the name the Medic Update because of its focus on the medical and health space. This specific focus is something Google will not confirm.
What we know from Google
Google has said that this update was a “broad core algorithm update” and that it does these updates “several times per year.”
Google references its advice from the previous core updates, saying there’s “no ‘fix’ for pages that may perform less well, other than to remain focused on building great content. Over time, it may be that your content may rise relative to other pages.” Google also said, “As with any update, some sites may note drops or gains. There’s nothing wrong with pages that may now perform less well. Instead, it’s that changes to our systems are benefiting pages that were previously under-rewarded.”
Google Search Liaison Danny Sullivan also confirmed this is a “global” rollout and impacts all Google search results, no matter what language or region.
Google would not tell us how much of the search results were impacted by this update, as Google has done in the past with Panda, Penguin and others:
Finally, we know the update has been fully rolled out and is done as of sometime yesterday or earlier.
Who was impacted by this update
As we explained above, Google said this is a “global” update, which implies every niche and every type of site could have been impacted. But based on the data that I’ve been seeing from surveys, multiple data companies and SEO consultants, there seems to be a focus on medical and health niches, as well as “Your Money Your Life” types of sites, with creeping into the entertainment and gaming niches as well. I’ve shown Google this data and a Google spokesperson responded by referencing the statements made above.
What is YMYL? As we explained in 2013, “Your Money or Your Life” pages are those focused on money and life events. The Google raters’ guideline defined them as:
Pages that solicit personal information, such as personal identification numbers, bank account numbers, drivers license numbers, etc., which could be used for identity theft.
Pages used for monetary transactions, on which users might give their credit account or bank account information; for example, any page that allows you to buy something.
Pages that offer medical or health information that could impact your physical well-being.
Pages offering advice on major life decisions, such as pages on parenting, purchasing a home, a vehicle and so on.
Pages offering advice on major life issues that could impact your future happiness and finances, such as pages giving legal or financial advice.
I have data from several analytics and data companies, including Sistrix, RankRanger, SEMRush, and my own survey data from a few hundred SEOs impacted.
Sistrix shared some of the early data, saying, “The majority of changes can be seen for YMYL-sites and even there we generally only see an uplift or loss of a few percentage points.” I followed up with Sistrix, which responded that “Mostly health and finance pages have been affected by this update.” “But also, as you can see on the lists, e-commerces, educational as well as dubious automotive websites got their share of movement. If you are a victim of this, try to recovery with Online reputation management service
In summary, Google is calling this a broad, global, core update, but based on much of the analysis done thus far, there seems to be a focus on health and medical sites and YMYL Your Money Your Life sites. But many sites besides those were impacted by the update. Google is telling us that there is nothing you can do to fix your site, so you should just focus on making a great experience, offer better content and a more useful website. This update has taken on the name the Medic Update because of its focus on the medical and health space. This specific focus is something Google will not confirm.
What we know from Google
Google has said that this update was a “broad core algorithm update” and that it does these updates “several times per year.”
Google references its advice from the previous core updates, saying there’s “no ‘fix’ for pages that may perform less well, other than to remain focused on building great content. Over time, it may be that your content may rise relative to other pages.” Google also said, “As with any update, some sites may note drops or gains. There’s nothing wrong with pages that may now perform less well. Instead, it’s that changes to our systems are benefiting pages that were previously under-rewarded.”
Google Search Liaison Danny Sullivan also confirmed this is a “global” rollout and impacts all Google search results, no matter what language or region.
Google would not tell us how much of the search results were impacted by this update, as Google has done in the past with Panda, Penguin and others:
Finally, we know the update has been fully rolled out and is done as of sometime yesterday or earlier.
Who was impacted by this update
As we explained above, Google said this is a “global” update, which implies every niche and every type of site could have been impacted. But based on the data that I’ve been seeing from surveys, multiple data companies and SEO consultants, there seems to be a focus on medical and health niches, as well as “Your Money Your Life” types of sites, with creeping into the entertainment and gaming niches as well. I’ve shown Google this data and a Google spokesperson responded by referencing the statements made above.
What is YMYL? As we explained in 2013, “Your Money or Your Life” pages are those focused on money and life events. The Google raters’ guideline defined them as:
Pages that solicit personal information, such as personal identification numbers, bank account numbers, drivers license numbers, etc., which could be used for identity theft.
Pages used for monetary transactions, on which users might give their credit account or bank account information; for example, any page that allows you to buy something.
Pages that offer medical or health information that could impact your physical well-being.
Pages offering advice on major life decisions, such as pages on parenting, purchasing a home, a vehicle and so on.
Pages offering advice on major life issues that could impact your future happiness and finances, such as pages giving legal or financial advice.
I have data from several analytics and data companies, including Sistrix, RankRanger, SEMRush, and my own survey data from a few hundred SEOs impacted.
Sistrix shared some of the early data, saying, “The majority of changes can be seen for YMYL-sites and even there we generally only see an uplift or loss of a few percentage points.” I followed up with Sistrix, which responded that “Mostly health and finance pages have been affected by this update.” “But also, as you can see on the lists, e-commerces, educational as well as dubious automotive websites got their share of movement. If you are a victim of this, try to recovery with Online reputation management service
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