Google has a long history of algorithm updates, search index changes and refreshes.

Google has always strived to provide its users with relevant, high-quality content. Therefore, it constantly updates its core algorithms that determine the position of websites on the search results page. Google puts more emphasis on the overall user experience of a particular site. So, the better the user experience on a particular page, the more traffic the page will get.

Google releases thousands of algorithm updates every year. For example, in 2018, Google made as many as 3,000 changes to its algorithms. And while some of these updates aren’t particularly SEO-essential, quite a few can affect your site’s visibility, and Google’s 2022 updates are no different in that regard.

We present the history of the most important updates of the Google search algorithm in 2022 and how to optimize the content of your pages so that their SEO optimization strategy is good.

Desktop 2022 Page Experience update

Google has started rolling out page quality updates for web and desktop search. This update has been rolled out by the end of March 2022.

You need to check your site to make sure it meets all the specifications for Google Page Speed Insights.

• Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)

LCP is a ranking signal that measures the time it takes for your website’s main visuals to load, whether it’s the main text or images on your website.

• Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)

It’s about offsetting the text while loading other content. The search engine calls these layout changes, and they are often caused by loading ads.

• First Input Delay (FID)

The time it takes for the user to complete the intended action on the website is known as FID.

In addition, it is worth making sure that your website uses the „HTTPS” protocol and has few or no pop-ups or intrusive ads.

Also, make sure the website is mobile friendly.

March 2022 and June 2022 product reviews update

The March 2022 Product Reviews Update is the third in a series of updates launched in 2021 that aims to reward sites that post detailed reviews based on real first-hand experiences. According to Google, template reviews that touch only the periphery of products and services are not something that interests users. However, many reviews of this kind have found themselves in the top positions in Google search. While Google doesn’t intend to penalize such reviews citing quality and low content issues, it does say that it definitely wants sites that post high-quality reviews to get an advantage because that’s the type of content users expect when searching online. .

Google confirms that the last two product review updates focused on increasing the ranking of in-depth, research-based reviews posted by people demonstrating expertise in the field (it is indeed E-A-T). However, the March 2022 product review update adds a few more criteria to be considered a genuine review, including:

• Presentation of the product’s advantages or disadvantages and how it differs from the previous version.

• First-hand information from people who have physically or digitally used the product, with relevant evidence of what it looks like and how to use it.

• The reviewer’s perspective on the product beyond what the manufacturer already provides through visuals, audio, links.

• Give users a list of similar products and explain what sets the reviewed product apart from others.

This June 2022 algorithm update is expected to reward sites that post product reviews based on in-depth research, rather than those that simply rephrase the information that appears on the manufacturer’s website.

Here are some points to check your website:

• Verify that products are reviewed by experts with a digital footprint in the field.

• Do you add value to the review by considering the pros and cons that help users make an informed purchase decision?

• Have you done a quantitative analysis where you subjected the product to various performance tests to measure its performance?

• Have you compared the product with products already on the market and have you detailed what makes the product under review unique?

• Did you talk about product improvements compared to the last version?

• Were you able to identify the most important factors that determine the conclusion or termination of the transaction?

• Have you used images, videos, graphs or other evidence to support your claims?

May 2022 algorithm update

It’s been six months since we last saw Google introduce it. The last time Google released a major update was in November 2021.

With core updates, Google tries to boost the rankings of sites that have performed exceptionally well over a certain period of time to improve Google searches.

Indicates the need to update content to match new user intentions and updates in the industry they are in.

Helpful Content Update

Google confirmed that the rollout of the update began on August 25 and took 15 days to complete. Rather, it was feared that it would cause huge swings in SERP rankings, this update only affected very few sites. The update was announced as a new site-wide signal that was designed to rank sites based on the usefulness of the content they post.

Google warns against the practices of publishing content automatically generated by artificial intelligence, surface content that does not add any value and content based on assumptions. Also, this is a site-wide update which means sites that post a lot of unhelpful content like auto-generated, rephrased, AI scraped and content covering the basics people already know about will see a huge drop as they are ranked as useless.

The main focus of this update will be to prioritize websites that publish original content written by real people (not Ai) for real people (not googlebots).

Also, general websites that write about everyone may struggle to rank after this update. Google has categorically stated that the update will improve the rankings of sites that publish content where they have a proven track record of expertise.

In terms of writer’s expertise, Google again suggests that content written by people who have previous digital writing footprints on the subject will rank higher. We also believe that the freshness of the content will also play an important role.

It also means that content that ranks today may lose its ranking months later if they don’t refresh it with timely updates that can add value to the article.

Overall, as part of the upcoming update, Google wants all site owners to focus on creating content that really helps users.

If Google finds enough evidence of unsatisfactory user interaction with content, sites will see a drop in rankings.

We’ll provide you with more information once the rollout begins.

While it was advertised, or rather feared, that it would cause massive swings in SERP rankings, only a very few sites were affected by the update.

The update was announced as a new site-wide signal that was designed to rank sites based on the usefulness of the content they post.

Google warns against the practices of publishing content automatically generated by artificial intelligence, surface content that does not add any value and content based on assumptions.

It is recommended that sites affected by the update re-review published content and ensure that only high-quality and relevant content is made available for indexing by Google.

If you’re a publisher who cares about making your content unique, user-valuable, and highly authentic, chances are this update will be a boon, not a bane.

September update of Google’s core algorithm

Google rolled out the September core update just one week after rolling out its hugely popular Helpful Content update.

As in the past, the core update is designed to shake up SERP rankings, and sites that Google believes offer better value to users’ search intent will benefit from the update. However, sites that experience massive drops in ranking need not panic. Google suggests that such sites revisit the content of pages where rankings have dropped.

Tailoring content to users is the only way to avoid being impacted by the core update. Google gives advice on what site owners should know about basic updates. Google states that ranking drop is not due to link quality or other SEO issues. Instead, Google’s algorithm was able to find other sites whose pages were previously down, despite a huge effort to make the content as relevant to users as possible.

By asking a few basic content questions, you can assess whether your content strategy is in line with Google’s recommendations.

• Are real people writing your content for real people?

• Do you consistently put time and effort into adding unique information to your content?

• Do you only touch on the superficial level of the subject, or do you delve into the subject?

• What do you have in your content that makes it better than the competition?

• Have you over-optimized the title, description and content to attract bots rather than real users?

• Do you use a clickbait strategy to attract users’ attention?

• Does your content have the potential to get natural references (backlinks)?

• Is the content written by someone with extensive experience in the field?

• Do you focus on a niche or write about everything under the sun?

• Does your content contradict generally scientifically proven facts?

• Will people lose money or lives after trying the recommendations in your content?

• Does the content follow best grammar practices?

• Is this syndicated content?

• Is the content accompanied by intrusive full-screen elements that disturb the user?

• How good is your content on mobile devices?

Google Spam Algorithm Update October 2022

Google has confirmed that an algorithm update to combat spam is rolling out to search results worldwide and in all languages. According to Google, it will take some time to fully implement the October 2022 Spam Update.

To ensure high-quality search results, Google routinely releases spam updates. However, the exact details of these updates are rarely released except when they target specific types of spam, such as the August 2021 link spam update.

Google clearly defines what it considers spam, which means soliciting users to provide personal information or install malware on their computers. Spam updates help identify phishing scams and other fake sites that try to rank higher in search results by pretending to be legitimate sites.

If you see a drop in your rankings after the October 2022 spam update, you should check your website security and look for signs of a possible attack. Generally, when Google hits a site with a spam update, its content will be downgraded in search results or removed from the Google index. If a spam update hit your site, it may take months to restore it, provided you agree to make the necessary changes to comply with Google’s spam policies.

Every time a major Google update is announced, there is anxiety in the SEO world. And while it may be confusing at first, changing your SEO strategy to accommodate Google’s update isn’t impossible at all.

The main goal of any search engine is to return relevant and helpful content to users, so if you create high-quality content, you have nothing to worry about.

To ensure an effective SEO strategy in 2022, keep an eye out for Google’s algorithm updates. Google’s major updates this year are Page Quality Update, Link Spam Update, Core Algorithm Update, and Product Reviews Update.