Understanding 2022 Google Algorithm Updates

Google’s algorithms are a complex system used to retrieve data from its search index and instantly deliver the best possible results for a query. The search engine uses a combination of algorithms and numerous ranking factors to deliver webpages ranked by relevance on its search engine results pages (SERPs).

In its early years, Google only made a handful of updates to its algorithms. Now, Google makes thousands of changes every year.

Most of these updates are so slight that they go completely unnoticed. However, on occasion, the search engine rolls out major algorithmic updates that significantly impact the SERPs.

Below we have compiled a full list of Google algorithm launches, updates, and refreshes that have rolled out over the years:

March 23, 2022

Google announced an update to product review rankings that would enable them to identify high-quality reviews.  The update would take a few weeks to complete.

Their search systems are designed to sort through all the information that could be a good match. This recent update is designed to, among other things, help ensure reviews come from people who demonstrate expert knowledge and first-hand research about products. This update builds on this work to make sure that product reviews in Search meet certain criteria.

• Include helpful in-depth details, like the benefits or drawbacks of a certain item, specifics on how a product performs or how the product differs from previous versions
• Come from people who have actually used the products, and show what the product is physically like or how it’s used
• Include unique information beyond what the manufacturer provides — like visuals, audio or links to other content detailing the reviewer’s experience
• Cover comparable products, or explain what sets a product apart from its competitors

February 22, 2022

Page Experience Update

Google announced via Twitter that the page experience update is slowly rolling out for desktop search, expected to be completed in March 2022.

This ranking launch will be based on the same page experience signals that were rolled out for mobile earlier this year. They also planned to help site owners understand how their desktop pages are performing with regards to page experience using a Search Console report which will launch before desktop becomes a ranking signal.