If you are a content creator, you must’ve tried to leverage SEO keywords and techniques to improve your ranking on a search result page. But what if we told you that the recency of your content and updates also determines your ranking? You may already be aware of this feature of Google’s algorithm, but if you aren’t, we will tell you all about it.
Back in 2011, Google rolled out an update in its algorithm to show the most recent and fresh content, for certain types of searches, on top. This update is the Google Freshness Algorithm.Â
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How Does Google Freshness Algorithm Work?
This update works on the foundation laid by QDF- Query Deserves Freshness. QDF recognizes the type of content where viewers look for the most recent information by analyzing the most discussed topics online. QDF recognizes three different types of content where freshness matters the most-
Current Events
Consider natural calamity, the death of a famous personality, economic and political climate, etc., for example.
Regularly Recurring Events
For example- sports matches, election results, etc.
Frequent Updates
For example- technology, marketing techniques, fashion trends, etc.
This is the type of content for which the Google Freshness Algorithm tracks the date of publication, frequency of updates, and new content to decide your blog’s ranking on the search results page.Â
See Also: Google’s Broad Core Algorithm Update – Are You Ready for it?
How To Optimize Your Content For The Google Freshness Algorithm?
When Google rolled out this update, many creators were curious about how it would impact their pages’ ranking. It turns out that the result was primarily positive. New creators got the chance to become more visible because they were posting relevant content. It also made the algorithm more logical and practical.
See Also: New Google Technology Helps Create Powerful Ranking Algorithms
Now let’s talk about how you, as a creator, can leverage the features of the Google Freshness Algorithm.
Regularly Update Your ContentÂ
Find out which pages have historically driven the most traffic to your website and keep updating them. Add new content and statistics, and change the date of publication on your page.
Doing this will increase your website’s traffic because – it will be listed higher per the new algorithm, and more users will visit your site because of the recent publication date.
Generate Buzz About Your Content On Social Media
Doing so will make your content come to the notice of QDF, which will then translate to a higher page listing because of the Freshness Algorithm.
Post Content FrequentlyÂ
Users want the latest information these days. If you write about changes and recent events, you need to increase the frequency of your posts. Timely updates will help readers stay abreast of any new developments.
Add Content That Is Resilient To The Test Of Time
Certain types of content are evergreen. For example, a topic like India’s struggle for independence is evergreen. A post written on this topic 10 years ago is as relevant as one written today, and that is because there is no new information to share.
Including such content on your website will ensure that you continue driving traffic and maintaining visibility because the information doesn’t become obsolete with time.