Google Algorithm Update

With 75% of online users never scrolling past the first page of Google Search results, staying up to date on any Google algorithm changes that may affect your company's Google ranking is critical.

This article will discuss some of the significant changes to the Google algorithm in 2022 and what these changes mean for your SEO marketing strategy. We'll also share our top SEO for business tips and how you can use the latest Google algorithm changes to help your company stand out online.

WHAT IS THE GOOGLE ALGORITHM?

When we refer to the 'Google algorithm,' we are referring to a complex algorithm system that ranks billions of websites based on criteria.

When we do a Google search, the Google algorithm sifts through billions of web pages to find the most relevant results for us, with the highest-ranking web pages appearing at the top of search results.

The most recent Google algorithm updates show that the Google algorithm is shifting to a more user-centric approach, rewarding websites that provide the best user experiences with higher rankings.

HOW DOES THE GOOGLE ALGORITHM AFFECT BUSINESS SEO?

The position of your website in Google searches is critical; the first five organic results account for two-thirds of all clicks. If your company isn't ranking high on Google, you're passing up an opportunity to reach new customers and increase sales.

Whatever industry you are in, the chances are that many of your customers will find you via Google search, so it pays to be savvy and stay up to date on any changes to the Google algorithm so that you can react quickly.

THE MOST RECENT CHANGES MADE TO THE GOOGLE ALGORITHM IN 2022

1. Product Reviews Update The March 2022 Product Review Update, the third in a series of product reviews since 2021, is one of the most significant Google algorithms changes this year so far. This change currently only affects the ranking of English-language product reviews, but Google will add more languages in the future.

Google announced that the new update would reward and promote websites that feature high-quality product reviews, and it has provided some guidelines for what constitutes a 'high-quality review. They advise that reviews should:

• Include valuable and detailed information about a product or service. This could include the product's benefits and specifics about how it performs.
• Include real-life testimonials from customers who have used the product.
• Unique information, such as photos, audio, and video, should be included.

What this means for your company

It's no surprise that Google is focusing on rewarding websites that feature high-quality product reviews, given that more than 70% of consumers read product reviews before purchasing.

Although Google will reward sites with reviews with a higher ranking, it is essential to remember that quality always trumps quantity. Many studies will not suffice; they must be detailed enough to provide real value to a user and help inform their decision-making.

You can improve the volume and quality of your reviews by doing the following:

Check to see if you have a verified Google Business profile.
Request reviews from your customers; follow up quickly after purchase and offer incentives.
Create a reviews page for your website and include a link to your Google reviews.
Respond to reviews and, if necessary, make changes.

2. Page Experience Improvements

In 2020, Google announced a significant shift toward incorporating a website's user experience as a key ranking factor. Google has been rolling out the Page Experience Update since June 2021, rewarding websites that provide a better user experience. This update initially targeted mobile versions of websites, but it was expanded to include desktops in March 2022.

What this means for your company

Google has made it easier for businesses to understand how they can improve their user experience by sharing their Core Web Vitals metrics, which are:

3. Website load time

• Your website's interactivity: how simple it is to interact with links and different features.
• Visual stability: ensuring that features on your website remain stable and do not move when a user scrolls through them.
• Essentially, the more user-friendly your website is, the higher your Google ranking will be. However, keep in mind that content is still king, and a website that works well but lacks valuable content for users will not receive a favorable ranking.

A fast website with low-quality content will not provide the SEO boost you seek, but if your content is strong, but your page is slow to load, you will most likely lose out to websites with faster loading speeds.