8 Google Algorithm Updates That Defined 2021

Jigger | May 20, 2022

Have you ever heard about algorithms? It sounds complex because it is complex.
 

For search engines, an algorithm is an intricate system that retrieves search data to generate the best results on the search engine result page (SERP). So, whenever you search something on Google, remember that the algorithm is what makes you see the top 10 results on the SERP. Along with the algorithm, the results are ranked based on specific factors that make them relevant to your search.
 

Every year, Google updates its search algorithm to ensure that it provides the most credible and accurate results for its users. In order of release, we’ve compiled eight updates that had the most impact to the search engine in 2021. Let’s start with…
 

The February Updates

1. Passage Ranking

Google uses artificial intelligence (AI) to not only scan websites but also paragraphs and sentences from the webpages. This enables specific parts of the text to be highlighted in bold on the SERP. The aim of this algorithm is to help users find answers quickly, instead of making them read every paragraph to find what they’re looking for.

You don’t need to update your content for the passage ranking update, but you can:

• Use long-tail keywords.

• Make sure you write quality content.

• Format your content appropriately.

2. About This Result 

When you Google something, do you ever notice the three dots on top of each result? If you click those three dots, you’ll see a pop-up box that has information about the result. You’ll get to read how accurate and relevant the content is to your search. It’s basically a list of ranking factors such as:

• Backlinks 

• Site Security

• How the content matches the keyword you searched 

The March Update

3. Mobile-First Indexing

Over the last decade, Google has prioritized websites that are mobile-friendly. The search engine always places mobile-friendly webpages on the first search results page. In March 2021, Google ranks webpages based on the mobile version of the content. So, make sure your website has responsive design. You can test its responsiveness by accessing it on your phone. 

The April Update

4. Product Review  

This update focused more on in-dept product reviews rather than summarizing a product list. Websites should have an insightful review about the products or services being sold. The update recommends that reviews should guide customers on making a well-advised purchasing decision. You can do this by showing quality content such as: 

• Testimonials from loyal customers

• Numerical measurements of success using the product or service  

• Comparison of performance to old product models or services    

The May Update

5. Multitask Unified Model (MUM) 

The MUM update is a language model that’s designed to help users find answers to complex queries. The aim of the MUM is to use contextual information to provide thorough answers to difficult questions.
 

For example, you could ask a specific question such as “I have a Spanish student visa, but I want to obtain a working visa, how can I convert my visa?” After analyzing your question, Google will show all the related links that can answer your question. The SERP also shows a list of AI-generated questions under the “people also ask” portion of the results page.

The June Updates

6. Link Spam 

This update targets webpages that host spam content such as forums and comments. Be careful if your website has these parts since Google can flag your site as spam if they detect malicious content. It’s best to perform regular website maintenance and updating your site’s SSL certificate.
 

7. Page Experience 

Like the mobile-first indexing update, Google has metrics that evaluate a website’s core web vitals. There are three types of vitals:  

1. Loading – The loading speed of the main content. 
2. Visual stability – The stability of the webpage layout.
3. Interactivity – The responsiveness of the webpage to the user’s first action.

The August Update

8. Page Title

When appropriate, Google tweaks the page title of the results on the SERP. The title is adjusted to make results more relevant to searches. For instance, if your title is “8 ways to bake a cake”, Google might adjust it to “Learn More about Baking”. It really depends on the context of how users search for answers to their queries, but Google adjusts titles to make it easier for users to find the answer quickly. Need help in optimizing your website? deepconnex is here for you. We have a team of digital marketing experts that are knowledgeable with the latest updates of Google’s algorithm. Send us a query here and we’ll be happy to respond.