At Pressroom, we like to monitor the world of search engine optimisation (SEO) closely. It helps us to know what is going on, informs us of the new ideas and strategies being used, and perhaps most importantly, lets us know what is not working anymore. As such, keeping an eye on Google is always necessary.

The last few months have been no  different in that regard, so here’s a quick snapshot of what has been happening in the world of Google updates

Was it author nothing?

One of the most shocking updates of the year, and perhaps in a long time, has been Google’s decision to drop the rel=author data after three years of analysis. Google stated that users were not as enamoured with an author’s reputation as it had hoped.

However, many in the world of optimisation are still scratching their heads over what the axing really means, especially as the firm is still lauding the importance of great content from quality writers.

Another important change, or more accurately a underlining of focus, was in regards to just how useful your content is to your users. The creativity of content is being rewarded, as are help guides. This is certainly the case with YouTube, where video content is coming to the digital marketing stable more and more.

Catch the pigeon

A new algorithm also made an appearance. Dubbed ‘Pigeon’ by many fanciers, it is likely linked to local, being announced in the same vein as its launch of ‘Explore’ for Google Maps.

One update that also caused a little surprise and, in some quarters, shock, was the revelation that Google will now be affecting ranking with a smidgen of safety in mind. The firm announced that sites with a HTTPS encryption would do better in search results, all be it at a “low-weighted” level.

John Murray

John is every inch the wordsmith and loves a game of Scrabble above all else. With experience writing for newspapers, John’s time at university was spent studying Creative Writing – something which comes across in his love of the pun.