Google Confirms Updates & Adds Content to Images

Here we go again! Google confirmed the speculations that a “broad core algorithm update” was been implemented that is altering rankings of some websites. Google announced on Twitter that these updates occur “several times a year” and that some sites will notice ranking boosts or losses. According to Google, this does not mean that there is anything you can do different to immediately assist your website, but that this update was looking to assist “pages that were previously under-rewarded”.

 

What This Means for Your Website

 

This means that some websites who have been sticking to the proper SEO tactics can possibly see a solid boost here in the near future.

 

Here is Google’s Announcement from Twitter:

 

“Each day, Google usually releases one or more changes designed to improve our results. Some are focused around specific improvements. Some are broad changes. Last week, we released a broad core algorithm update. We do these routinely several times per year.

As with any update, some sites may note drops or gains. There’s nothing wrong with pages that may now perform less well. Instead, it’s that changes to our systems are benefiting pages that were previously under-rewarded.

 

There’s no “fix” for pages that may perform less well other than to remain focused on building great content. Over time, it may be that your content may rise relative to other pages.”

 

Google Announces Content Tags for Images

google-image-caption

In another announcement, Google took to Twitter to confirm that Google will be adding more context to images results by showing captions on images within search results.

 

From Google’s Announcement:

“This extra piece of information gives you more context so you can easily find out whatthe image is about and whether the website would contain more relevant content for your needs.”

 

 

If your team has not been using title tags and alt tags when uploading images, this may now be a bigger mistake than before. Image searches are a great way to drive visitors and if your images do not use these indicators, it is likely losing opportunities.