But how can you avoid getting lost in all this new information and find the best path to improve your SEO?<\/p>\n
In this article, we will review all these 2022 changes, starting with the main Google algorithm updates. Next, we will look at some new tools, and we will help you understand what you really need to have a successful strategy this year. Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n
Google\u2019s Algorithm Updates<\/h2>\n
As the SEO landscape changed, SEO professionals had to adapt swiftly. Google rolled out many major algorithmic updates, such as broad core algorithm updates and the BERT update<\/u><\/a>, which increased the importance of natural language processing and semantic search.<\/p>\n Additionally, the rise of voice search, mobile search, and other emerging technologies meant SEO pros had to adjust their strategies, as these changes can significantly impact SEO performance. On top of that, SEO methods had to stay up to date with new types of content and formats, such as structured data and other interactive elements<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s look at the 2022 Google ranking updates list! <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Implemented during the whole first quarter of 2022, this was a significant Google algorithm update focused on the overall user experience of web pages. It seeks to measure website quality that users experience on the front end. This update accounted for Core Web Vitals, mobile-friendliness, safe browsing, HTTPS usage, and intrusive interstitial guidelines, all of which aim to provide a better experience for users.<\/p>\n With this update, the Mobile-first Indexing<\/u><\/a> that began in 2016 became even more qualified to prioritize websites providing a positive mobile experience, as many websites have already migrated from desktop-first indexing. Google will continue to prioritize mobile-first indexing.<\/p>\n It is most important to focus on the mobile user experience and use responsive website design to ensure both mobile and desktop versions of websites are easily crawled, indexed, and served to users. Users will expect a better mobile experience.<\/p>\n To measure the effectiveness of this approach, you should keep your eyes on Google Search Console using the \u201cExperience\u201d charts as you can see in the screenshot below.<\/p>\n Over the year (March, July, and September), there were three updates related to product reviews. The main point was to prioritize product reviews’ visibility over organic search results, making them more prominent in SERPs. Consider the following best practices for good reviews:<\/p>\n There were two updates related to the Core Algorithm<\/u><\/a> this year, in May and September\u2014which was one less than in 2021. The Core Algorithm used to change many times per year; it usually affects and enhances different aspects of how Google provides helpful and reliable results on SERPs. Unlike other updates, it does not look at spam policies or manual actions. The main idea is to improve how the algorithm works to deliver better results for specific queries.\u201cOne way to think of how a core update operates is to imagine you made a list of the top 100 movies in 2021. A few years later, in 2025, you refresh the list. It’s going to naturally change. Some new and wonderful movies that never existed before will now be candidates for inclusion. You might also reassess some films and realize they deserve a higher place on the list than they had before.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Google Search Central. \u201cGoogle Search’s Core Updates and Your Website<\/a>\u201d | Google Search Central 12 October 2022<\/em><\/p>\n Focused on people-first content, the Google Helpful Content Update<\/u><\/a> in 2022 rewarded sites with original and helpful content that answered user queries. This update was looking for clear, accurate information that is easy to find and understand.<\/p>\n Creators will be expected to offer even more creative content, providing complete information about specific topics in a way that users feel satisfied\u2014meaning they don\u2019t need to do any more searching to find the information they want. Be sure yours is enough!<\/p>\n The expectation is that Google is removing useless content from the SERPs\u2014thus, it\u2019s time to do a cleaning!<\/p>\n The Spam Update\u2014much like the updates already mentioned\u2014improves every year. And now it uses SpamBrain, an AI tool, to mitigate many different types of spam. Here are some examples of what you should avoid to ensure you follow Google’s Spam Policies<\/u><\/a>:<\/p>\n In addition to what’s already been mentioned, it\u2019s good to remember secondary (but equally significant) elements, such as the following.<\/p>\n One of Google’s quality-rater guidelines (previously known as E-A-T) is now E-E-A-T. What is expected is content that makes users perceive \u201cexpertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness.\u201d With this last update, it is gaining one more \u201cE\u201d in reference to \u201cexperience.\u201d It is also evolving to help Google provide more relevant and helpful information.<\/p>\n There is new snippet structure data<\/u><\/a> related to product reviews. Google understands that reviews are valuable to users’ decision journeys, especially with regard to their pros-and-cons lists. So now they can highlight this in SERPs. If you don\u2019t have structured data for it, Google can use pros and cons from the web page automatically.<\/p>\n Google Search Console gained new features, and some of its reports have a new look. In January, they launched a URL Inspection API that can help developers debug and optimize indexed page issues individually. For example, you can request indexed URL data, and the API returns the indexed information available, such as index status, AMP, rich results, mobile usability, and user-declared and Google-selected canonicals.<\/p>\n Google Search Console\u2019s interface can feel a bit intimidating the first time you open it\u2014and honestly, even the 10th time. I remember a phase last summer when I checked GSC twice a day, slightly obsessed with catching issues right as they cropped up. It\u2019s worth the time investment, though; those new video index and merchant listings reports are actually pretty handy for anyone juggling content, products, or both.<\/p>\n Even for technical audits, GSC’s new integration with Data Studio has made custom dashboards way easier. There\u2019s a little trial-and-error at first, and sometimes the bubbles on the bubble charts have a mind of their own, but you get the hang of it. I\u2019ve found surfacing issues earlier is so much less painful now, since you\u2019re not just guessing what Google \u2018sees\u2019\u2014the reports actually show it.<\/p>\n Other Google Search Console improvements include:<\/p>\n GSC: Updated pages classification reports<\/em><\/p>\n From July 1, 2023, standard Universal Google Analytics will no longer process data. For a while, It will still be possible to see your reports for a while. However, measuring new data will only be possible with\u00a0Google Analytics 4<\/u><\/a>. Websites using the 360 Universal Analytics version will have a slightly longer deadline: July 1, 2025. Get the ultimate guide to Google Analytics<\/a> now!<\/p>\nPage Experience Update<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Product Reviews Update<\/h3>\n
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Core Algorithm Update<\/h3>\n
Helpful Content Update<\/h3>\n
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Spam Update<\/h3>\n
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E-E-A-T<\/h3>\n
Structure Data<\/h3>\n
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Google\u2019s Tools<\/h2>\n
Google Search Console<\/h3>\n
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Google Analytics 4<\/h3>\n
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