Google Freshness Algorithm
What is Google Freshness
The latest Google algorithm update is called Google Freshness. The Google Freshness algorithm is said to affect 35% of searches. Does that mean that my website ranking will change on up to 35% of my keywords? Not necessarily, Google Freshness is having less impact over the majority of search results when compared to other algorithm changes such as the Panda update that occurred earlier this year. Although it may affect up to 35% of searches, according to Google, only 6-10% of search result pages have actually changed. It will most likely be apparent on searches related to celebrity news, current events, sports, and other topics that require fresher results.
Official Google Blog about Google Freshness
In an article posted by Amit Singhal on the official Google blog, this change will only noticeably impact 6 – 10% of searches, depending on several variables including topic, language and the domain you’re searching on. Singhal opens the article by saying “Search results, like warm cookies right out of the oven or cool refreshing fruit on a hot summer’s day, are best when they’re fresh.” Our team at Total Market Exposure agrees with this assessment because search results for certain keywords require the current information. Singhal also said, “Different searches have different freshness needs. This algorithmic improvement is designed to better understand how to differentiate between these kinds of searches and the level of freshness you need, and make sure you get the most up to the minute answers. Given the incredibly fast pace at which information moves in today’s world, the most recent information can be from the last week, day or even minute, and depending on the search terms, the algorithm needs to be able to figure out if a result from a week ago about a TV show is recent, or if a result from a week ago about breaking news is too old.” Read the entire article on the Official Google Blog.
What can you do?
There are a few simple things that anyone can do to take advantage of the Google Freshness update. If you do not have a blog you need to start one. Next, making sure that your blog post or articles have the proper time and date stamps. Keep them current within the XML site map. After that, blogging regularly about the topics that are most important to you.
Whiteboard meeting at SEOmoz
Our friends over at SEOmoz held a “Whiteboard Friday” meeting about the Google Freshness update lead by SEOmoz founder, Rand Fishkin, accompanied by special guest Mike King. In the meeting Mike helps clarify any confusion about the Google Freshness update by saying “When they’re saying 35 percent of queries, these are words that people are actually searching for. It’s not necessarily just every keyword in the keyword universe.” Watch the video located below.
Stay Tuned For More Information
The jury is still out on how the Google Freshness algorithm will change search query results for users, business, marketers, and SEOs so stay turned for more Google Freshness updates.
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Tags: Google Freshness, Google Freshness Algorithm, Google Freshness Update