How Changes In Search Engine Algorithms Can Affect Your Page Rank

How changes in Search Engine Algorithms Can Affect Your Page Rank

All search engines, especially Google, perform regular updates to their algorithms to improve the relevancy of search results. These updates are sometimes relatively minor. However, some changes can cause websites (even major websites) to drop from their search engine rankings like flies. Every time a major search algorithm change takes place, SEO specialist and web masters all over the world scramble to achieve or maintain high ranking.  

For example, in November 2003, Google’s infamous “Florida Update” caused millions of web pages to be dropped from Google’s search results. Major updates have become the bane of website owners and SEO professionals alike; however it has become apparent that updates like these are necessary to improve the relevancy of search results. Like it or not, continual tweaking is required by both the search engine developers and SEO professional to continue delivering the relevant results.

Change is important. In the case of search engines, it is required. Algorithms cannot remain the same forever. For example, just because you have ranked #1 for a certain keyword for six years doesn’t mean that you “own” that ranking. New websites are being developed on a daily basis, some of which may even be better than yours. Google algorithm update gives all players a chance to compete on level ground.

How can you deal with algorithm updates when it’s affecting your Page Rank? Below are some tips you can follow:

Don’t Panic – getting apprehensive when you see your site dropping from #1 to #20 is quite normal. But panicking will do no good. A lot of web masters think that they can control any given situation. The fact is they can’t. It’s better to let the storm pass before you deal with the problem. Chances are, the sites that are really relevant will re-surface in the rankings, unless they have been penalized for using black hat SEO techniques.

Keep the Website Properly Optimized – keeping the meta tag, title, body and other content  properly optimized and having a significant external link inventory can help your website weather the storm of a major search engine algorithm update.

Refine your Keyword Selection – some web masters may be thinking, “Why fix it if it isn’t broken?” However, ranking well with a certain group of keywords today doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll rank well forever. Refine your keyword selection with related terms that searchers type in when making a query.

Patience is Key – you know that updates are always on the horizon. Prepare your site for any algorithm changes by sticking with the basics. Providing fresh content for your site, building backlinks, and establishing a loyal traffic base will ensure that you’ll have a technically-sound website even when changes occur.