SEO
Google Algorithm: What it is, how it works and why it impacts SEO
May 30, 2023
SEO
Have you ever wondered how Google decides which pages appear first in search results? The answer lies in Google itself. Google algorithm, a complex and constantly evolving system that filters, organizes and ranks billions of pieces of content every day.
In this article, you will understand How Google's algorithm works, what were your most relevant updates and how this directly impacts your website's SEO performance.
The Google Algorithm is a sophisticated set of rules and technologies that defines how search results are displayed.
He analyzes hundreds of ranking factors to present, in fractions of a second, the most relevant and useful pages to the user.
In practice, it organizes the websites in a kind of ranking, prioritizing those that offer the best experience: original, reliable, well-structured content with authority on the subject.
Today, appearing at the top of Google is not just a differentiator — it’s a competitive advantage.
Every time someone makes a search, the algorithm comes into action following a logic based on:
Most of these criteria are refined by artificial intelligence and machine learning, making the algorithm increasingly accurate and demanding.
While Google doesn't reveal exactly how the algorithm operates, we do know that produce quality content, technically optimize your website and follow good SEO practices are pillars to achieve visibility.
The algorithm is constantly evolving to deliver more relevant, secure, and personalized results. Below, we list the main updates that have shaped SEO as we know it today:
First major update. It removed thousands of sites with manipulative practices from the rankings, marking the birth of modern SEO based on quality rather than quantity.
It punished low-quality, repetitive or excessively ad-heavy content. It increased the importance of originality and usefulness for the user.
It focused on penalizing Black Hat SEO practices, such as artificial link building and keyword stuffing (excessive keywords in the text).
Semantic revolution: began to understand the context of searches, and not just isolated words. It encouraged the use of natural language.
Started considering security (use of HTTPS) as a ranking factor.
Improved local search results, giving more visibility to businesses close to the user's location.
It favored responsive websites on mobile devices. The mobile experience began to directly influence positioning.
First integration of artificial intelligence into the algorithm, used to interpret complex searches. It has become one of the three main ranking factors.
It targeted sites with shallow content and excessive advertising, affecting blogs created solely to generate revenue from ads.
The acronym stands for: Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness (experience, expertise, authority and reliability). It is the basis for evaluating content quality.
It limited repeated results from the same domain in the SERP and reinforced the weight of user trust as a ranking criterion.
Neural network-based update for better understanding of natural language. Google now understands nuances, synonyms and contexts with much greater precision.
Modern SEO isn't about gaming the algorithm — it's about collaborate with him. This means producing useful, original content, with clear language and an optimized structure.
To rank well, it is essential:
SEO is an ongoing process — and Google's algorithm is your greatest ally (as long as you speak its language).
In the follow55, We use data intelligence, strategy and content to deliver solid SEO results. Our solutions are designed for businesses that want to grow with relevance — and in a sustainable way.
👉 Talk to our experts and discover how to evolve with real SEO.
