Google search algorithm is a complex of instructions, sequences, and actions used to retrieve and rank content from the search index based on the search query. It is also known as the Google core algorithm, which includes other specific algorithms.
When people mention the Google algorithm, most often, they have the Ranking algorithm in mind.
Google makes changes and improvements to their algorithms nearly every day, most of which are barely noticeable.
Several times a year, Google makes major changes to their search algorithms and systems. Such significant board updates are called core updates and are announced by Google.
Also, many people confuse algorithms updates for algorithms. For example, Panda is the codename of the major change to Google’s ranking algorithm.
Algorithms are the core of Google search. The way Google ranks pages and understands search queries is only possible with the algorithms.
Most likely, there are quite a few algorithms that haven’t been publicly announced or named by Google. Here are the ones that we know of:
Google core algorithm is the main algorithm behind Google search. It incorporates other, more specific algorithms.
This algorithm stands behind ranking pages on SERPs. There is a considerable number of unknown factors considered by the algorithm, but there are a few confirmed ones:
The most important update to Google’s ranking algorithm was called Panda (2011).
PageRank is the algorithm that determines the importance of a page based on its link profile.
This algorithm helps Google find pages and websites that violate Google’s Spam Policies, demote them in the search results, or remove them from the search index altogether.
Penguin (2012) was the codename of the major update to this algorithm.
RankBrain is a machine-learning algorithm that helps Google understand and interpret search queries and return relevant results.
Hilltop
Hilltop is an algorithm used to find documents relevant to a particular keyword topic in news search. Google acquired it in 2003 and used it in the News results.
Although Penguin, Panda, and Hummingbird are often referred to as Google search algorithms, they are not. They are the codenames of the major updates to Google’s algorithms.