Search Algorithms
Search engines have complex search algorithms which are used to ensure they are able to display the most relevant and useful results to their users. While algorithm changes are common and won’t usually affect a site’s ranking, search engines such as Google will occasionally introduce a major update which may impact search results. Our Hangout Notes cover insights from Google around these algorithms with best practice advice.
Manual Penalties Expire Automatically
Manual penalties will show up in Webmaster Tools, and will expire naturally after an amount of time. Algorithmic penalties are only updated when the algorithm and data is refreshed, or the algorithm is retired.
Reconsideration Requests Don’t Work for Algorithmic Penalties
Reconsideration requests can’t be made for algorithmic penalties like Panda and Penguin. You need to do is disavow the links, or fix the quality issues for the penalty to be lifted in time.
Click Behaviour is Used to Improve Google’s algorithm
The interaction with search results is used to measure search results quality. The more clicking around, the worse the search results page. John says it’s not calculated per query, but it used to assess their different algorithms over large numbers of searches.
Domain Registration Data Is Not Used for Ranking
Domain registration data is not used as a ranking signal