Google's Core Algorithm Testing Continues - 10th and 11th February, 2016

After a calm start to February with no real Google Updates or volatility in the desktop SERPs (there was some testing specific to mobile SERPs), it looks like there were some minor algorithm changes this last weekend.

While the latest volatility is relatively minor, it is useful to provide a quick update as we have not posted one since we reported on the major SERP changes back in the middle of January. We are also waiting for the new real-time Penguin Algorithm to be released, which was indicated to be launched within weeks back on the 21st of January. We do not believe the latest volatility is related to Penguin.

SERP trackers show significant volatility

Keeping an eye on the SERP trackers is extremely useful to help diagnose whether any changes in your rankings. For instance, are the changes in rankings due to something you did, such (i.e., changing website structure, adding new content, getting new links), or is it due to something Google did. Even if you don’t know what Google has done to cause your rankings to drop, it provides a prompt to revisit Google’s Guidelines (which have recently been updated) and check for both technical and quality factors.

We highly recommend reviewing old content, and tools such as Moz, or SEMrush can help point out technical matters that need fixing (you can even subscribe for the odd month, rather than continuously). But just revisiting old content, and making it “better” can help as part of your broader SEO strategy.

Rank Risk Index

The Rank Risk Index shows a clear representation of what has happened this month so far. After the volatile January, February started remarkably calm. We also believe that toward the end of January, some of the most draconian changes we saw in January were rolled back (based on keyword positions we are tracking ourselves).

We suspect the quiet start to February was to enable testing to be carried out on the Mobile SERPs without confusing the results. That being said, we did notice some changes in keywords we track ourselves around the 3rd of February, but the Rank Risk Index does not reflect this.

The Rank Risk Index chart below shows a definite spike on the 12th of February.

MozCast

MozCast shows a similar spike on the 10th and 11th February, and also picks up on the tremors we felt on the 3rd of February.

Is there any indication of what the Google update is targeting?

Unfortunately, we do not have much to say about the recent Google updates \ testing. They seem minor iterations of the core algorithm and not something in isolation we believe that you should be overly concerned about. They may be targeting content quality, but we cannot rule out specific tests in preparation for the new Real-Time Google Penguin algorithm, although this is just speculation.

There is very little forum chatter about the recent update this last weekend, which seems to confirm that nothing significant is happening.

Many of these updates over the past weeks seem to impact the poor quality or over-optimized content. Just revisiting pages that have shown a drop and improving them has been beneficial for us. Remember, though; it can take some time for any changes you make to be reflected in Google.