To make the experience of the users worthy, Google is changing its algorithms constantly. For example, the way websites are ranked in search results on Google is in an immediate state of flux. This has made it important for a webmaster to stay ahead of all the things related to search engine optimization. A new Google algorithm update was launched in the id of the year 2017 known as ‘Fred’. Since its launch, the search engine of Google has been greatly impacted as well as has set an ultimate example for search engine optimization.
Google Fred Algorithm Explained in Detail
Google originated an algorithm back in 2017 – Google Fred Algorithm, for targeting black-hat tactics linked with highly confrontational monetarization. The purpose behind launching the new algorithm was to identify unnecessary ads, the content of low-quality or less valuable, and websites that fail to provide a smooth user experience to their visitors. Websites that are handled by salespersons who are too pushy and avoid listening to the other person’s point of view are more likely to get highly penalized. Another reason is that such websites have no purpose other than generating revenue where they should be providing useful information to their visitors.
Changes Included in the Fred Update
No one can know what goes behind Google but, the results that come after the launch of a new update make us understand that Google was after something useful. Talking about Google Fred Algorithm, websites having one or more of the following features faced a drop of 90% in their ranking on Google’s search engine:
- Websites that put their focus on monetizing aggressively.
- Websites that display misleading or ambiguous advertisements.
- Websites that use tricks to grab users’ attention to click on their site.
- Websites showcasing low-quality or valueless content.
- Websites with blogs posted with the only purpose of SEO ranking.
- Websites that fail to provide a smooth user experience to their visitors.
- Websites that is not compatible with mobile devices.
- Websites uploading thin content.
- Websites that showcase a lot of advertisements.
The sole purpose of the Google Fred algorithm is to tell us that the updates launched by Google are coming down heavily on the salesy websites that use strategies to only monetize other than being a useful resource to the visitors. If your website was built based on the aforesaid features then it is ok, otherwise, webmasters can follow the easiest steps to avoid getting highly penalized.
An interview took place between Jenn Slegg and Gary Illyes where they discussed SEO in the year 2017. When the discussion began about Fred, the following points were highlighted:
Freds, Not Fred
During the interview, Gary forced on the fact that every unnamed update originated by Google is known as Fred. Although it might be good as per his thoughts, but considering the pros of search engine optimization, Fred’s update seemed a little useless. For this reason, Fred is referred to only a single update and not all.
Google Remains Unhappy When the Complete Care and Focus is on Updates
According to a statement given by Gary in the interview, people focus more on Google updates than any other thing. Whereas, the focus must be on providing a smooth and friendly user experience to the visitors which most websites fail to do.
Many Updates Does Not Require AN Immediate Action
Google brings forth about two to three updates every other day. Most of them which, do not require any kind of action. However, people are involved in implying updates too much that they don’t realize their actions on the updates are unnecessary. The daily updates usually are about how words have been structured on the website’s page in a particular or native language. These kinds of updates are not useful nether they should be given unrequited attention.
Links are of the Utmost Importance
Gary talked about links and the essence they hold in ranking on the top of the search engine of Google. He said that websites must create high-quality as well as valuable content that easily attracts links. Although, this point is not related to Fred’s algorithm but, worth noting.
How you can identify if your Website was affected by Google Fred Algorithm?
You will see an immediate drop in the ranking of your website, the reason could be any but, it is certain that something bad happened. Therefore, if you found a drop in your ranking, then your website was penalized by the update of an algorithm.
You need to be proactive in terms of Google update, however, it is not that simple to identify the root of the cause. You might need an expert to help you recover from that but, in the meantime, you can follow few things to avoid getting penalized by the Fred algorithm.
How you can Recover from Fred’s Update
You are lucky if you are ranking in the top pages of the search engine of Google as you must be following strategies that are keeping you ahead of others as well as prevent you from similar updates and algorithms. However, those who couldn’t get recovered from Fred’s update had to follow a lot of things such as –
- Changing or improving the overall structure of their website by diminishing ad layout.
- Going through overall content published on their website to ensure that the content is of high quality and provides valuable information to the visitors so that they rank on top of Google’s search engine results.
Few websites could recover from Fred’s algorithm by following the aforesaid points but, many did not.
How you can Optimize your Website for Google Fred Algorithm Update?
By now, it must be clear that Google penalizes websites that use aggressive monetization strategies whereas; Google rewards the websites that offer their users a smooth and user-friendly experience along with valuable information. Following are the guideline that can help you optimize your search engine ranking on Google –
- The content published on your entire website must be understandable and have a clear purpose.
- Make sure to use relevant keywords, metadata, tags, etc. to specify the purpose of the published content.
- Use fewer ads on your website.
- Set reminders to review your website’s content, ad layout, whether you are providing a smooth user experience or not, and so on.
