Google is rolling out a new search ranking algorithm update targeting the more spammy side of search results. The company is calling this update the “November 2021 spam update” and it should take about a week to fully roll out and be noticed in search results.
The announcement. “As part of our regular work to improve results, we’ve released a spam update to our systems. This November 2021 spam update should be fully rolled out within a week. We encourage sites to follow our best practices for Search,” Google announced on Twitter. Google linked to the generic Google webmaster guidelines for more guidance.
Google launched three spam updates already this year. This month’s update marks the fourth Google algorithm update targeted at spam this calendar year.
Last year Google’s automated systems blocked 25 billion spammy pages from being indexed in search results every day.
Google has a strict definition of what it considers spam, which primarily includes low quality sites that trick users into providing personal information or installing malware.
Other types of spam include phishing scams and websites disguising themselves as other reputable sites.
If your site takes a hit in rankings following this month’s update, you should check for security issues and signs of an attack.
Final Thoughts:
We’re sure to learn more about the impact of the November 2021 spam update when Google publishes its annual spam-fighting report next year.
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