Hi there. Michael here. I’m logging my thoughts to teach you what’s necessary and unnecessary about the Google algorithm update. The problem is, Google has been doing algorithm updates frequently now—it’d be hard to keep up with all of them. An algorithm update is a part of a constant stream of changes that Google processes in order to give people the best quality, most useful results when searching online. This article will include an overview of what the algorithm update is, how it operates and its relevant connection to SMEs. I will note the pros and cons of the project and assess what we should do moving forward.
An algorithm is basically Google’s secret recipe for deciding which sites appear for your search. Essentially, when you search for something on Google, its algorithm combs through millions of websites and displays what it believes to be the best response to your inquiry. An algorithm update simply means that Google has changed some of those deciding factors.

Why You Should Care About This Recent Change

This is an algorithm that affects your ranking with a search engine—it helps determine who appears first on a search page—and it even redirects how much traffic comes to your site. This is crucial information every small business owner or influencer should possess. The fact that you know about the update allows you to adjust your site and your writing to consistently remain in Google’s good graces.

How the Recent Change Works

Various signals contribute to Google’s algorithm about what is most useful for them to present to the public. These are:

• User experience: How fast your site loads, ease of navigation.
• Mobile friendliness: necessary with so many searching from phones.
• Backlinks: links from other sites. When legitimate sites link to your page, Google likes the reliability.

The newest update has responded to such trends but also is more personalized to what the end user actually desires. Essentially, whoever gives the most relevant information to a search intent wins. Using simple language is suggested so that both Google and your reader know what you mean.

But what does this mean for your own website as a small medium business owner? Keep the following in mind:

Better Rankings for Transparency and Effective Content: The more transparent your site is and the more it knows its audience and presents effective content, the better it will rank. The more you do to make it effective and transparent, the more potential you have for traffic.

More Sensitive Empirical Interactions: Google is more sensitive to how people interact on your site. The faster and more efficient your site is, the better it will rank.

• Backlink Importance Changed: The algorithm suggests that backlinks are weighted differently now, which means less is more. Better to have a few links from quality domains instead of thousands from spammy ones.

Understanding what the nature of the change is allows you to adjust your site and online marketing efforts to comply with the new requirements. There is no better time like the present to go through your own site to make adjustments.

Benefits and Drawbacks of the Update

Benefits

1.  Less Output: This update intends for users to have the proper, most relevant, useful            information literally at their fingertips. In other words, anyone searching for an answer will have an easier time getting what they want, or more increasingly so, what they need.

2. Interim Sales: Content sites are going to have to feel out the new ranking algorithm as they go along. There will be an interim period in between where tons of companies are going to be decreasingly ranked until they figure out how to do the right thing.
3. Insecurity: Website owners can never be sure they’ve chosen the best keywords or most marketable concepts for content. Since everything can always change, it’s almost impossible for the little guy to compete with the big guy, and there’s always going to be an insecurity that one blog post or an entire site simply isn’t good enough to be ranked.
4. Inequity: Some sites that just have good rankings because they’ve done great SEO work in the past are going to be on the losing end of where they stand now because it won’t count.
5. Seasonal Fluctuation: When Google makes changes to its algorithm, it’s a normal setting for sites to level out. You’re bound to be up and down in ranking until your site levels out.
6. Security for Whitelisted Sites: Those who have engaged in black hat tactics or spammy backlinks will fall; now, they have an even harder time with sites like this returning to page one.
7. Less Competition: When something like this occurs, it gives sites a chance to adjust their content, backlinks, and loading time to meet new requirements.
   There are lessons to be learned from this transformation for SMBs to capitalize on, although a few missteps were made along the way.

For example:

• Content is King: Transparency, engagement, and fun are critical. Blog and vlog answering your patrons’ FAQ. Use long-tail keywords relevant to your market positioning i.e. “how Google’s algorithm update affects small business SEO” to boost your position.
• Quality User Experience: Quality and speed are critical for re-confirmation. Cement your loading speed and appearance. Ensure your site loads quickly and is easily discovered—and searchable—across all platforms, including mobile. In addition, the longer clients stay on your site or return, the better your SEO will be, too.
• Get Authority Backlinks:
  Reach out to reputable sources and bloggers within your realm. Perhaps you’d like to exchange and have someone guest post on your site or some other similar endeavor. These authority backlinks create an authority halo that even Google will notice and over time, boost your ranking.
• Stay Informed:
  Continuing to learn about SEO keeps you aware of pitfalls and potential adjustments to be made. Because Google is constantly changing its algorithm, being aware of SEO best practices will allow you to effortlessly adjust your game plan when the time comes.
• Assess Your Impact:
  Google Analytics and Search Console assess what’s working and what’s not. These tools will help you diagnose sooner than later and assess adjustments based on their feedback.
  Influencers will benefit from this update as well. If you’re an influencer, you are a brand, you’re visible, and your brand exists online. So, champion the following from the update:
• Genuine Content:
  Create content that is authentic and meaningful to the end user. People follow you for a purpose; they trust your opinion. So, if you create content that gives them the answers they’re looking for, it only goes in your favor.
• Interaction:
  Interact with your fans and followers on all social media platforms. The more interaction you get, the more likely your content will be viewed. Remember, interaction can help search results, too—interaction is good!
• Create Guest Posts: Write for other brands and influencers in your niche. These links and guest posts can bring you new traffic to your site and reciprocal backlinks for you.

Tips to Follow in Order to Comply with New Algorithm

There are a few easy things you can do to make these changes and comply with the new upgrade from Google:

1. Perform a Site Audit: Understand your site as is. What’s needed? Assess your speed, mobile friendliness, and quality of content to get a feel for what you’re going to need to change.
2. Update Old Content: Go back through older content and update it to ensure everything is still relevant and helpful. Add more copy, relevant subheadings, appropriate images, and/or videos that are truly going to help the end user.
3. Quality Backlinks: Partner with bloggers and influencers within your market. Get backlinks to your content from credible and authoritative sites. A few quality links are better than many spammy ones.
4. Use SEO Software: Using SEO software to check your ranking is a great way to find out what’s working and what’s not. They also provide recommendations for improvement.
5. Learn About SEO: SEO is a constantly changing beast. Read blogs, attend webinars, and participate in social media forums to keep on top of changes. This will keep you one step ahead.

Conclusion

Google’s most recent algorithm update is a clear, obvious message that it’s all about quality and experience now more than ever—and it’s not necessarily a concern, either, of SMBs and micro-influencers but an opportunity to seize upon site improvements for inevitable present and future success. If you have quality content, an excellent on-site experience, and natural, authoritative backlinks, you’ll be able to weather the storm and see your site thrive.

Ultimately, these changes will ensure your user experience is the refined version of the web’s best content. By honoring your users and these changes, not only will you be in good standing with Google themselves, but you’ll have a more cohesive, trustworthy online footprint. All you need to do is sit back, stay vigilant, and make these changes to ensure success in this constantly evolving digital world. Thank you for reading! I hope this article eased you into making adjustments for the latest Google algorithm update! Let’s help each other succeed and grow our online footprints while properly catering to our clients!