Google Algorithm Update 2017: Overview and Major Updates

In 2017, Google rolled out a major algorithm update that significantly impacted search engine rankings. This update, known as the "Fred" update, was a significant change.

The update targeted low-quality content, such as thin content and affiliate-heavy websites. Google's goal was to promote more authoritative and useful content.

One of the major updates was the introduction of a new ranking signal, which focused on user experience. This signal took into account factors such as mobile-friendliness, page speed, and HTTPS encryption.

Google also emphasized the importance of content quality, stating that "low-quality content" was a major ranking factor.

In 2017, Google made several changes to its algorithm. One of the first updates occurred on February 7, which was an unconfirmed core search algorithm update. Experts suspect it's related to content quality, as it coincided with updates to Google's Search Quality Raters.

Google's algorithm updates are often shrouded in mystery, but we do know that this update was unconfirmed. This can make it difficult for webmasters to prepare for and adapt to changes.

The unconfirmed core search algorithm update on February 7 is a good example of how Google's algorithm updates can be unpredictable.

See what others are reading: Google Search Algorithm Documentation

Google actively filters out listings from local results that are similar to other listings that rank already.

The filter has existed for a long time to help ensure that multiple listings for the same company don’t monopolize the search results.

The Possum algorithm update in September 2016 made a significant change to the way the filter works, filtering out listings that were physically located near each other.

Google refined the proximity filter on August 22, 2017, making it stricter.

Following the Hawk update, all four listings are now showing.

Google began warning users of non-secure pages and forms in October 2017, showing an aggressive “NOT SECURE” notification when Chrome users enter text into a form-field on an HTTP page.

By the end of 2017, 75 percent of page-one results were secured with SSL.

For more insights, see: Google Algorithm Update June 2017

Google's algorithm update in 2017 brought about significant changes to how websites are ranked and penalized. The update, known as the "Fred" update, aimed to reduce low-quality content and promote more authoritative sources.

Websites that heavily relied on manipulative tactics, such as buying backlinks or participating in link schemes, were hit hard by the update. This resulted in a significant decrease in their search engine rankings.

Websites that maintained high-quality content and followed best practices, on the other hand, saw a boost in their rankings.

Businesses that share an address or building can still be filtered out of local search results. This is despite the update that tightened the distance needed to filter a similar listing.

I'm still seeing listings that share an address or building being filtered out of local search results. This is a problem that persists even after the update.

Listings using the same virtual office address are filtered as a result, as seen in the example of "personal injury attorney palmdale". All the listings in red share the same address as the listing in green and are filtered as a result.

Businesses in different buildings that are around 50 feet away from a competitor can also be filtered out. This is a problem that still needs to be addressed.

A unique perspective: Does Google Photos and Google Drive Share Storage

In January 2017, Google rolled out a penalty against mobile webpages using aggressive interstitials, also known as "pop-ups", that might damage the user experience on mobile devices.

The penalty de-prioritized sites that had a pop-up covering the main content of the page, pop-ups users must dismiss before accessing desired content, or an above-fold layout looking similar to an "intrusive" interstitial.

Google warned that pages where content is not easily accessible to a user on the transition from the mobile search results may not rank as highly.

The penalty was announced and website users were given more than fair warning.

To avoid the penalty, offer your readers a great experience and remove the intrusive interstitials.

Here are some examples of bad interstitials given by Google itself:

On the other hand, interstitials used to inform a user about the use of cookies, interstitials used for the purpose of age verification, and an interstitial banner that takes adequate space and is neither in the first-fold nor fills the entire mobile screen would not be affected by the new signal, if used responsibly.

The penalty replaced the "app interstitials ad penalty" that was launched in September 2015.

Google has issued 5 major updates to their search algorithm, which significantly impacted how search results are displayed. The most notable ones include Panda, Penguin, Hummingbird, Pigeon, and Fred.

Panda was first introduced in February 2011, and it targeted low-quality content by demoting it in search rankings. This update aimed to promote high-quality, relevant content that users can trust.

Penguin, launched in April 2012, focused on link spam and penalized websites that engaged in manipulative linking practices. This update aimed to clean up the web and make search results more trustworthy.

Hummingbird, introduced in August 2013, was a significant update that changed how Google's search algorithm processes long-tail search queries. It allowed Google to better understand the context of search queries and provide more accurate results.

Pigeon, launched in July 2014, focused on local search results and improved how Google displays local business listings. This update made it easier for users to find nearby businesses and services.

Fred, introduced in March 2017, targeted websites that relied on manipulative monetization strategies, such as affiliate marketing and ads. This update aimed to promote content that provides value to users, rather than just trying to make money.

Related reading: New Google Ranking Algorithm

In November 2017, Google finally increased the meta description length limit from 160 characters to up to 300 characters.

This change allowed businesses to have more space to describe their pages, products, or services and convince prospective customers to click.

The average snippet is now about 230 characters, and exact length restrictions have yet to be confirmed.

With the extra space, businesses can now write more descriptive and compelling meta descriptions that will grab users' attention and encourage them to click on their links.

Google has issued 5 major updates, including Panda in February 2011, Penguin in April 2012, Hummingbird in August 2013, Pigeon in July 2014, and Fred in March 2017.

These updates were a big deal for website owners and SEO experts alike.

In 2017, Google released an unconfirmed ranking update called Fred, which specifically targeted websites that violate Google's webmaster guidelines.

Websites affected by Fred often had two things in common: they were in blog format and heavy on ad placements.

Worth a look: Google Fred Algorithm

A huge drop in Google organic traffic, around 50-90%, was reported by many websites hit by this update.

According to Barry Schwartz of SEO Round Table, Gary Illyes confirmed the Fred update on Twitter, but later John Mueller said there was no Fred update.

A May poll by SEO Round Table showed that over 46% of websites were affected by this update, so if you noticed a steep fall in organic traffic, Fred might be the reason.

To make your website Fred-friendly, consider inculcating measures like placing ads strategically, auditing lower-ranking web pages, and regularly updating your content in accordance with Google Search Quality Guidelines.

Google updated their Search Quality Raters around the same time as the unconfirmed core search algorithm update in February 2017, so experts suspect a connection between the two.

A fresh viewpoint: Google Fred Update

The Google Penguin Update of 2017 was a significant event in the world of SEO. It targeted all sorts of spammy links.

The Black Hat SEO community was particularly active around this update, with many noticing issues with their Private Blog Networks (PBNs). They blamed Google crawlers for delayed crawling or thought their websites had been penalized.

Minimal chatter was seen in the White Hat SEO communities during this time.

Google never confirmed a change in February 2017, but SEO specialists speculate it was a Penguin update that improved spam link detection.

This update targeted all sorts of discount spammy links, as noticed by the black hat SEO community.

The black hat community reported losses, with some blaming Private Blog Network (PBN) issues and others thinking their websites had been penalized by Google.

Head to your search console and disavow any spammy links pointing to your website manually, even if you didn't intentionally create them.

Google's algorithm update made local search results on country-code top-level domains (ccTLDs) location-specific, independent of the country-specific domain used.

This change resulted in a massive spike in AdWords ads, while local packs in search engine results pages (SERPs) dropped.

If you own a local business, this is your moment to shine. Add as many references to your city or area in your copy as possible.

A fresh viewpoint: Go Back to Google Images Search Instead of Google Lens

Google Panda is an algorithm that focuses on website's content and user interface. It's likely to be related to the update that occurred on 7th February, which had both good and bad effects on websites.

Many webmasters and SEOs tracked major fluctuations in website's ranking around 7th February, based on content quality and user interface rather than link factors. These fluctuations were likely a result of the Panda update.

The Search Engine Land team reached out to Google for an official comment, but Google neither confirmed the update nor passed any comment.

Here's an interesting read: Google Panda Algorithm