In a world where many people own either a smartphone or a computer (and often both), information has never been more accessible. One of the most common ways that people learn today is through search engines like Google.
Google was one of the first of its kind and is arguably the most popular search engine in the world today. This is because Google works on a fine-tuned algorithm that delivers the best possible results to consumers while also helping businesses connect with their clients.
In this guide, you’ll learn all about how Google works, how often its algorithm is updated, and what the most recent updates have been. Let’s get started by taking a look at what Google really does!
What Does Google Really Do?
Google was originally developed and launched in 1997 as a way for consumers to hunt for information on the internet. In the 22 years since its inception, its algorithm has been tweaked and overhauled thousands and thousands of times to not only benefit those searching for information through it, but also those who are trying to market information and goods through it.
At its core, Google is a search engine. The digital age has transformed the marketing industry with Goggle on the frontline. Google’s instantaneous information delivery has proved to be an irreplaceable tool for marketers and advertisers because, when used correctly, it can bring your target market right to your digital storefront in a number of clicks.
How Often Does Google Update?
It’s hard to say exactly how much times Google has been updated, because they don’t always announce it. What we do know is that these updates are increasing as the years go by. From 2010 to 2018, the number of changes Google made to their search engine algorithm went from between 350 and 400 to more than 3,000 changes in a single year, according to Search Engine Land.
With so many changes happening—and many without any warning—your marketing strategy can start to fall apart. Below, you’ll learn about three of the biggest updates Google has made recently so you can adjust and optimize your strategy.
Google’s Most Recent Updates
With the year slowly coming to a close, Google has already made hundreds of updates. However, some of these updates were bigger and more profound than others including advancement in location targeting, the elimination of the green “Ad” box, and improved snippet settings. Read ahead to learn more about what these changes mean for your marketing strategy.
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Advanced Location Targeting
In the last decade, Google has updated its algorithm to use geo targeting in order to deliver search results that are relevant to the searcher’s location. For instance, if you’re searching for “sushi dinner”, Google would use your current location to find sushi restaurants within a certain radius of where you are.
This year, Google has updated is geo targeting to also include search results for places that you pass by but aren’t currently located at. So, if you’re searching “sushi dinner” in Google, it will also deliver advertising for sushi restaurants that you’ve passed by during your travels. This can be handy for targeting potential clients that don’t live in your area but perhaps commute or travel through it regularly.
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Green Ad Box Elimination
Many people use their smartphones to search Google on-the-go. When you make search inquiries from your phone, the first two or three results you’ll see at the top of the page are paid advertisements that were labeled with a bright green “Ad” box up until this year.
Recently, Google has decided to remove this green “Ad” box, which will majorly benefit businesses taking advantage of these paid advertisement spots while still providing consumers with the information they were searching for in the first place. It’s a win-win all around!
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Improved Snippet Settings
In the last few years, Google introduced featured snippets, which are also referred to as “quick answers” because they deliver answers to search queries right to the search results page rather than having you click on a link first. In this text box, you’ll find a highlighted portion of the page with the answer to your question that was picked out by Google based on the keywords in the passage.
From the get-go, this whole process was automated. Now, webmasters have a bit of a say in what’s displayed in these featured snippet boxes. Adjusting these snippets is as easy as implementing a short meta tag.
Stay Relevant on Google with a Little Help from Stream!
Google is making changes and you should, too. At Stream Companies, it’s our job to monitor every change Google makes and help our clients maximize their marketing strategy with every twist and turn.
Using years of expertise and the best diagnostic tools, we deliver retail traffic for every one of our clients. Get in touch with us today to see what we can do for you and your business!