What’s New With Google Search Engine?

It’s time for a big drumroll, folks! And it is time to roll out your red carpets for a compilation of Google’s latest updates. The search engine giant rolled out its first Algorithm Update for 2020 on January 13th. Since then, Google has been meting out a slew of updates and changes that are very much a characteristic of the world’s most sought-after search engine.

Google updates are hard to predict. There’s a joke that even Google’s employees aren’t aware of what the company has up its sleeves. Major decisions are influenced by the users whose needs and demands are constantly changing, making unpredictability an inevitability. So, without much delay, let’s give you a guided tour of the Google updates for 2020!

Every single digital marketing company goes into an “all alert” mode when Google updates start making headlines. No SEO or digital marketer can survive the race without knowing every intricate detail of the updates. So here’s a compilation of what Google’s been up to in 2020 when the whole world was battling the pandemic.

February 2020: Unconfirmed Algorithm Update

Algorithm updates aren’t new with Google. But there are reasons why we are specifically mentioning this one. Reports state that this update was not a core update, but had as much significance. Another reason why it had the webmasters on tenterhooks is that the update was neither announced nor confirmed by Google. Yet, sites experienced significant changes in their organic traffic- a sure sign of that something was brewing behind Google’s closed doors.

March-April 2020: Unusual SERP changes

This was the period when the world started shutting down in a futile attempt to save itself from an unprecedented pandemic. Google Algorithm Update checkers displayed considerable changes in algorithmic activity. But there’s no way to ascertain why that happened. It could have been the unexpected changes in trends or it could have been Google itself. Either way, there were massive fluctuations that could not go unnoticed.

A noticeable change that Google made during this period was to step up their SERP and filter all the fake news about the pandemic. Hence, only health and wellness websites with high authority enjoyed the spotlight every time someone made a search for COVID19-related information.

May 2020: Core Update

In May 2020, Google announced the roll-out of another Broad Core Algorithm Update. Google’s core updates are notoriously famous for shuffling the organic results and rankings of websites, and this update was no different. However, Google is clear in its stand and says that rectifications cannot be made overnight when a broadband core algorithm hits you.

June 2020: No major updates

Although June 2020 came and went without kicking up a flurry, some webmasters and digital marketers claimed to have noticed some subtle changes in their organic traffic. Even as fluctuations peaked in the third week of June, there was no official announcement from Google.

Google did make some major and minor alterations in 2020, some of which were influenced by the aftershocks of the pandemic.

• Temporarily Closed feature: As worldwide lockdowns dealt a major blow to many businesses, the introduction of the Temporarily Closed feature made it easy to demarcate between businesses that were still running and those that had temporarily closed. But this was a feature that businesses had wanted even before the pandemic. But Google responded only after the initial phases of the pandemic. Now, businesses that are undergoing renovations and the ones that are relocating can also use this feature.
• Covid19 Post Type: The Covid19 Post Type is another remarkable feature for Google My Business. This feature enables a business to post Covid19-related content that will appear prominently on its GMB. So every time a business updates its posts, the Covid19 post will be above all the standard posts. This will keep your business relevant to the current situation which looks like it’s here to stay awhile. Businesses that offer Covid19 testing services or those that are functioning with SOPs can take maximum advantage of this feature.
• Health services through teleconferencing and online links: One of the biggest blessings of Google updates came at a crucial time when hospitals and healthcare centres around the world had to carry on their non-emergency consultations through teleconferencing. Google allowed all healthcare centres to provide links on their GMBs pertaining to online care options and Covid-related news. This provided immense relief to the already panic-stricken people and hard-pressed hospitals.
• GMB attributes and displays: Another update that came to the rescue of restaurants, food services and courier businesses during the lockdown was Google’s new attributes that aided curb-side pick up and no-contact delivery. The attributes are displayed with a distinct X mark that makes it easy for users. This update looks like it’s here to stay as reports state they may be used for other businesses and industries too.
• Chain restrictions removed on Google Posts: Google has temporarily opened its doors to businesses with multiple locations to update their Google Posts with content regarding special events, offers, changes in working hours, holidays, and changes in locations. Before the Covid crisis, Google had restricted businesses operating from multiple locations to update Google Posts. We suggest you take advantage of this update while the option is still open. There’s no saying when Google will change its mind and reinstate the restriction.
• Updates for special operative hours

  An additional change that was brought about by Covid19 came into existence when Google stepped up to publish the extra working hours of business establishments. This feature was already in demand and big-box retailers, consumer services and many other sectors are only too happy to have their customers know that they operate for extra hours.

Google updates can be overwhelming and a bit too much for a business that relies on its online presence. Why worry when you have Digital SEO, the top digital marketing company that operates from Chennai, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli. Allow us to take care of your SEO needs and watch how your ranking improves and stays in sync with anything that Google comes up with. Call our team @ 9283183983 or email us @ contact@digitalseo.in.