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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

1 Meaning 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

2 Relevance

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

3 Quality

  • 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

4 User experience

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

5 Context

  • 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

Our
handpicked quote

We suggest focusing on ensuring you're offering the best content you can. That's what our algorithms seek to reward.

Google Search Central Blog

August 2019

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

For comprehensive SEO services, click here.

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