Google Algorithm Weather Report: April 2015

Welcome to the April 2015 Google Algorithm Report. This is your monthly digest of Google algorithm related news from the past few weeks. This month we’re looking at the latest mobile ranking news, Panda, Penguin, Emojis and Android app ranking.

Mobile Friendly Algorithm

The Mobile Friendly Algorithm has finally hit, and we at Studio-40 have seen plenty of movements with our clients’ websites. Make sure to check your own sites to see how much you’ve been affected, and if you need any help recovering, don’t hesitate to give us a call and we will give you our expert advice.

Mobile Friendly – Quality Score

Google has recently been trialling a mobile-friendly label in AdWords results, indicating that mobile-friendliness could potentially be a factor that affects quality score in the near future, thus increasing cost-per-click for non-mobile-friendly websites.

Panda & Penguin Algorithms aren’t Updating Regularly

John Mueller recently stated in a Google Hangout that he doesn’t think that either Penguin or Panda are currently updating regularly, despite previous indications that both will be running in real time, constantly. We will keep our eyes on this as and when it develops and we will let you know as soon as there is more news.

Google Hint that Page Speed is not as much of a Ranking Factor any more

Google’s John Mueller stated that he wasn’t sure how much page speed effects’ ranking these days, however, what he says is completely open to interpretation and there is no real evidence for this either way. Here is the video at the correct start time:

Google’s Panda Algorithm hasn’t Updated in Over 6 Months

In a recent Google Hangout, John Mueller of Google stated that the Panda algorithm hasn’t been updated or refreshed in about 6 months now, the entire industry is watching and waiting for this and there is no other news to report, but we will share any information we get as soon as we get it.

Google (and Bing) add Emojis to SERPs

Webmasters now have the ability to include emoji characters to their website’s Meta titles and descriptions, these have been visible in mobile results for some time, but it’s only just been enabled for desktop.

Uninstalled Android Apps now Benefit in Google’s Mobile Search Results

Android apps can now be indexed in search results and returned for relevant queries, even if the app is not installed. Previously this feature was working only for apps that are installed on the users’ device, but with this change it gives companies the opportunity to get their app seen if it is relevant.

Google Drops URL’s in Mobile Results

Google announced last night that the mobile search results are no longer going to display the site’s URL in the search snippet; instead it will display the site name when it is able to and the breadcrumb navigation of the page it is on.

Google: Panda & Penguin Algorithms Aren’t Updating Regularly

Panda has not refreshed or updated in five and a half months, at least since October 24th whereas the Penguin updates last happened on December 6th which was over four months ago.