Demystifying the Google Search Algorithm in 2021

Understand its working and focus your SEO efforts to drive impact

Google Search Algorithm uses hundreds of ranking factors, and the algorithm gets regular updates. How do you keep up? Keep reading to know the key factors and focus on SEO fundamentals to improve your site’s ranking.

3 steps in Google’s search ranking process

Crawling: Google bots/ spiders locate new web pages as well as updated ones
Indexing: Analyzes content/ images/ media to understand more about the page
Serving (and ranking): Identifies the most relevant pages for a search query

5 key factors influencing Google’s algorithm

1Meaning and intent

Is the query broad or specific; what are the related synonyms
Does the user want results in the language used for the search
Are they looking for localized, up-to-date information

2Relevance

Explores Google index for pages with relevant information
Goes beyond simple keyword mentions/ matches

3Quality

Content quality is judged based on E-A-T (an acronym for Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) which requires nurturing your brand and a positive online presence
Pages offering YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) content – anything that can impact the user’s happiness, health, or wealth – should be trustworthy and written by an expert

4User experience

Consistent experience across different web browsers
Compatibility with different device types and sizes
Page load time, including for those with slow internet

5Context

Personal settings of the user such as location (for events)
Predictions based on patterns identified in previous searches
Preferences based on their Google account activity (if signed in)

How do you optimize your website to rank higher?

Develop high-quality content relevant to the keywords you are targeting
Monitor your Core Web Vitals – speed, responsiveness, and visual stability
Deliver a consistent and seamless user experience across platforms
Employ Local SEO strategies if you have a business serving a local area

While there are regular updates to Google’s algorithm, taking care of the fundamentals of Search Engine Optimization will hold you in good stead.

Demystifying the Google Search Algorithm in 2021

3 steps in Google’s search ranking process

5 key factors influencing Google’s algorithm

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