Google's Latest Updates and Changes in 2021 - What You Need to Know

Google, the search engine giant, is constantly making updates and changes to its algorithm, user interface, and services. As such, it's important for website owners and digital marketers to stay abreast of the latest updates and changes to ensure that their websites are optimized and performing well on Google. In this article, we will explore some of the latest updates and changes that Google has made in 2021.

Core Web Vitals

One of the major updates that Google introduced in 2021 is Core Web Vitals. Core Web Vitals are a set of metrics that measure the user experience of a website. The metrics include loading speed, interactivity, and visual stability. Websites that meet the Core Web Vitals criteria are likely to rank higher on Google's search engine results pages (SERPs). Therefore, it is important for website owners to optimize their website's speed and user experience.

Mobile-First Indexing

Another major update that Google introduced in 2021 is mobile-first indexing. With mobile-first indexing, Google primarily looks at the mobile version of a website for indexing and ranking purposes. This means that websites that are not optimized for mobile devices may experience a drop in search rankings. Therefore, it is important for website owners to ensure that their websites are mobile-friendly and responsive.

Google Passage Ranking

Google Passage Ranking is a new feature that Google introduced in 2021. With passage ranking, Google is now able to rank individual passages of a webpage rather than just the entire page. This means that website owners can now optimize specific passages of their content for certain keywords or search queries. This is particularly useful for websites that have long-form content.

Updates to Google My Business

Google My Business is a free business listing tool that allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including search and maps. In 2021, Google introduced several updates to Google My Business, including new features to help businesses communicate with their customers during COVID-19. These new features include the ability to set COVID-19 safety precautions, updated hours of operation, and online services.