Google Caffeine Update, An SEO Insight
I don’t usually post news stories as I try to make the blog different and unique, I mean why post something that everyone else is posting, with exactly the same stance. But I feel that the Caffeine update that Google have recently announced is well worth a blog post.
Here is a caption from the official announcement
For the last several months, a large team of Googlers has been working on a secret project: a next-generation architecture for Google’s web search. It’s the first step in a process that will let us push the envelope on size, indexing speed, accuracy, comprehensiveness and other dimensions. The new infrastructure sits “under the hood” of Google’s search engine, which means that most users won’t notice a difference in search results. But web developers and power searchers might notice a few differences, so we’re opening up a web developer preview to collect feedback.
Read the full post by Google Here
The Google caffeine update clarifies exactly what I have been saying and thinking for the last few weeks, you can refer to the recent blog post http://www.seotops.com/google-are-now-bringing-in-more-real-time-results_1096/
I like to post about things that I see and notice happening in the search industry from experience and testing. So let’s get down to discussing the Caffeine update. So what does this mean to search positions? The future of search? And so many more unanswered questions?
Well from what I have seen although Google say that they are testing the new infrastructure on www2.sandbox.google.com and some people stating it will not affect the results. I have been seeing this is the current SERPs for some weeks now. Basically what I am seeing is results constantly changing, updated content is getting a fresh boost for major terms a lot more now query deserves freshness, part of the faster indexing and crawling capabilities. I.E. new blog posts go straight into the Top 10 for competitive terms and gradually drop out. Results are no longer stable and personally from a searchers point of view it’s a good thing. The reason I say this is because the internet has expanded so much, whereas we used to have a strict Top 10 with all the best sites, there are now so many more sites online and simply not enough room to show ever decent authority site in the Top 10.
We all know that users do not navigate to page 2-3-4 etc, so what Google can now do is constantly refresh the Top 10 with the authority and power sites, so users get to see much more great sites as well as newly created content for what they are searching for. This is basically a response to Twitter and a right back at you to Bing.
But from what I am seeing, although Google seem to be bringing in real time results and constantly refreshing the SERPs, the Top 4 positions seem to be still be stable. Again the reason for Google doing this is because they have to please all searchers, although moving into real time is all very well and good, a lot of people still want consistency and a huge amount of users click on the Top 4 results, so they have to stick. I mean if you go and search for something find a great site at the top, you want that site to appear there next time.
So where does this leave SEO? Personally I think it’s good for the SEO sector. I mean even the most competitive terms do not get that much traffic from positions 8-9 and 10. So the constant refresh will allow Google to deliver a constant flow of great results and allow all sites to get coverage numerous times a day, stable positions for competitive terms will be a thing of the past, unless of course you are a good SEO or employ a good SEO to push you into the Top 4.
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In my area I notice the top 4 are usually nationwide companies, so breaking into their positions will take an act of god. However I guess for the rest of us building good links and blogs will push us to the top, however I will follow your guidance.
People love too see unique content and i am very sure that many people will definitely like it indeed. There are a many ways to get back links and some of them are highly credible and like very much by Google. Uniqueness should be given high priority and if it is given then Google will find you good in terms of content.
This post will really help many people to know about the on going strategies used by Google.
as I know google love their user who using they search engine then publisher, so as publisher we need more learn a user and google characteristic.
from what I am seeing, although Google seem to be bringing in real time results and constantly refreshing the SERPs, the Top 4 positions seem to be still be stable
Nice – My blog doesnt seem to rank as well, but the update is lightening fast – But they are yet to bring the PPC onto the page and I believe that will slow things down a bit
So far I like the search results, does anyone know when it will be included in main google.com?
SERPS are kinda messed up these days. Changing all the time.
I like the “new google” though. I rank better
“We all know that users do not navigate to page 2-3-4 etc”
That’s what’s being said for ages now. But who knows this might change as well. I mean, as you said, the web is expanding so there’s more quality websites. People will find out that there are also lot’s of quality sites on page 2, 3, 4, etc…
But I think you’re right and I think the Caffeine update is a very logical step. With so much (and growing) quality content, users just want to see better results. Leaving the top10 the same all the time won’t work I guess.
Nice post – I think in general it is going to be a good thing but I don’t think it will have massive ramifications. In my opinion offpage seo is still going to be very important…Just did the famous ‘click here’ search and adobe still come up as number 2, so google still clearly put a lot of weight on offpage factors..Just my 2 cetns
Great Post. Thanx
Interesting developments are surely underway in terms of Google’s search department – and it will be fun to see how it effects the current landscape of SEO.
I can’t recognize a precise pattern yet, but something about Caffeine is giving my sites a huge boost. It could be a fresh content thing (I’ve been really annoyed at some old, outdated sites hogging the top 5) or it could be a stronger favoritism to deep links.
Some of these keywords look almost like an exaggerated version of what you posted about “Mayinarr” earlier – except with less bias toward the “strong brands” unless they’ve got good PR flow. Like Wikipedia seems fine, but its a magnet for deep links and their internal linking is strong. Otherwise, I’m seeing my popular (yet old) blog posts easily outranking weak URLs on strong domains – not just the ezine/squidoo types.
As far as i know, Wikipedia s gonna be hit the hardest by this update of Google, they’re position in the SERPs is gonna get drastically down. The sandbox effect will be more prevalent with an even more advanced algorithm.
For as big of a deal as they are making out of this, I just don’t see that drastic of a change i the SERPs. I think this is more of a PR move in response to Bing personally.
I checked some search results, and like them. In my Serps, wikipedia isn’t hit so let us see what happens…
I’m very much looking forward to this going into full effect. I agree that it’s a definite bonus for searches, there’s more than 10 positions worth of great information on many subjects, having at least 6/10 of them on the first page change up is a great idea. I do like that they kept the top positions stable, I’ve definitely memorized some search results, and I would be angry if I couldn’t pull them up. Nice insight on what’s going on though, I’ve definitely noticed some active changes in the serp’s lately as well.
Thanks for the review of their new capabilities — I think it will be a positive change, although I’m not entirely sure that content necessarily deserves priority rankings just because its new. I’m sure they have a good algorithm though, as usual, so we’ll have to see how it plays out…
I don’t think that’s the point. The higher number of results is a bad choice when comparing search engines. Why? Because now you’re getting results that are definitely not relevant. The point of search is finding what IS relevant. If I Google “how to clean antique bottles” I don’t need millions of results. I a few good articles that explains it well. More results equals more junk that isn’t relevant and shouldn’t be a result. A good search won’t need to give you junk.
I have done a bit of research with the new algo and cant see much of a difference. I think the timing is very suspect as it was just after Bing made a roar.
We published articles on our blog and when we checked google for indexed pages, it immediately started showing in search and said submitted 1 min ago. That’s really cool.
comparegoogle.com has been helpful in finding difference in search results for the two algorithms. Just put in some keywords and see what changed. Could be helpful for SEO engineers.
Sucks for static sites tho. i am now recomending businesses have a /blog wordpress blog instead of sub domain and/or external domain name and have the feed listed on their homepage using simplepie or some similar script to help the sites appear as fresh.
whats peoples thoughts on randomising content to make the site appear fresh?
SEO’s will haved a new factor when it comes to optimisation now as site speed is now a ranking factor included in the caffeine update-this means all you seo’s out there get your clients sites jscript, css, images optimised to the fastest they can be. Some server side scripts may need to be altered to optimise for information delivery. e.g. php scripts that parse xml feeds or output buffering (pre output) wastes time at server end.
Might even be worth upgrading to quicker servers where the site is hosted-every little helps and if it is something that we know directly influences the SERP’s then its worth doing in my book.
It can be seen at this ip: 209.85.225.103 – at least some of the time
Though it’s not a new “algo”, as I understand it – but more of a faster infrastructure.
Though I see some disparity in SERP’s.
I think not too many changes would be seen over the net, even after Google fully completes installing the new update. Since some years ago Google has been working on its algorithm to making that better.
thanks for information
very helpfull
Using the excellent comparecaffeine.com tool I have noticed a significant improvement in my UK serps position for targeted keywords. Remember that caffeine is only showing up intermittently on the datacentre so you might need to refresh a couple of times.
Thanks for the info. Used it!