Google Freshness Algorithm Update: Relevance, Impact and SEO Best Practices

Google is continually improving its search algorithm to deliver optimal results for users. Among the updates that had a profound influence on search and SEO, the Freshness Algorithm Update stands out. This particular update was introduced on November 3, 2011, and brought about notable changes in how search results were determined and ranked.

What Was the Freshness Algorithm Update?

The Freshness Algorithm Update was an algorithm update that aimed to give more weight to fresh content for certain queries. It was based on the idea that some queries have a high demand for freshness, meaning that users want to see the most up-to-date information available.

The Freshness Algorithm Update used a set of freshness signals to determine the freshness of a web page, such as:

• The publication date or last modification date of the page.
• The frequency and amount of updates on the page or site.
• The popularity and relevance of the page or site for the query.
• The freshness of the links pointing to the page or site.

The Freshness Algorithm Update assigned a freshness score to each web page, which was then used as a ranking factor. Pages with high freshness scores were boosted or maintained in the search results, while pages with low freshness scores were demoted or removed.

What Inspired Google to Launch Freshness Algorithm Update and What Does It Mean for SEOs?

Google launched the Freshness Algorithm Update to improve the quality and diversity of its search results by showing more fresh content for queries that required it. Google identified three types of queries that had a high demand for freshness:

• Recent Events or Hot Topics: These are queries that relate to trending or current events, such as news, sports, politics, etc. For these queries, users want to see the latest information and developments.
• Recurring Events: These are queries that relate to events that occur on a regular basis, such as holidays, festivals, elections, sports seasons, etc. For these queries, users want to see the most recent information and results.
• Frequent Updates: These are queries that relate to topics that change frequently, but are not necessarily events, such as product reviews, prices, weather, etc. For these queries, users want to see the most accurate and updated information.

The Freshness Algorithm Update was made possible by the infrastructure changes introduced by the Caffeine Update, which enabled Google to crawl and index web pages faster and more efficiently.

What Were the Impacts of the Freshness Algorithm Update on Sites and SEOs?

The Freshness Algorithm Update had several impacts on sites and SEOs at that time. Some of them were:

• Sites with fresh and frequently updated content gained an advantage over sites with stale or outdated content. This was especially true for queries that had a high demand for freshness, such as news, events, trends, products, etc.
• Sites with diverse and rich content types, such as images, videos, maps, etc., gained more visibility and opportunities to rank for different queries. This was especially true for queries that had a high demand for diversity, such as informational, navigational, transactional, etc.
• Sites with strong signals of trust, quality, authority, and relevance gained more recognition and preference over sites with weak or spammy signals. This was especially true for queries that had a high demand for quality, such as commercial, medical, legal, etc.
• SEOs had to adapt their strategies and tactics to the new freshness signals. They had to focus more on creating fresh, diverse, and high-quality content that matched the user intent and query context. They also had to monitor their site performance and rankings more closely and regularly using tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console.

How to Manage Freshness Algorithm Update and Rise in Local Search and SEO in 2023?

In 2023, the Freshness Algorithm Update continues to have a significant impact on SEOs. This update emphasizes the importance of regularly updating and publishing fresh content on websites. SEOs need to prioritize keeping their content up-to-date and relevant to meet the demands of the algorithm. By consistently delivering fresh and timely information, SEOs can improve their chances of ranking well in search results. This update highlights the ongoing relevance of maintaining an active content strategy and staying proactive in providing valuable and up-to-date content for users.