Google is modifying its results algorithm to penalize clickbait and favor original quality content, particularly in terms of product testing.
Google regularly changes the algorithm on which the display of the results of queries formulated on its search engine depends. The latest modification promises to reduce the place given to content specially designed and titled to attract clicks (“clickbait” in English, often called “putaclic” in French). In this way, Google hopes to improve the relevance of search results, giving an advantage to original content.
As Google indicates in an explanatory post, these changes will be active in the coming weeks. And if it is first a question of focusing on content in English, there is little doubt that the changes made will be deployed in a more global way in the long term.
“This update will help ensure that non-original, low-quality content will not rank high in search results, especially for online educational materials, entertainment, shopping, and technology content. “, explains Google. It should be noted that one of these updates will specifically relate to online product tests, in order to help Internet users find good quality original tests, instead of recycled and copied content maximizing their score ” SEO” which sometimes monopolize the first page of results.
The cat and the Mouse
A welcome change, as experienced Internet users have developed reflexes to improve the quality of their search results, by including or excluding certain areas from their queries (setting aside Pinterest results or focusing on those cited on the Reddit network…). Techniques that the average Internet user does not use, too often exposed to poor quality content or misleading titles optimized for search engines.
Website publishers will obviously be on the lookout to adapt their habits to Google’s new prerogatives so that their original content is not penalized by this new algorithm. As for the clickbait specialist sites, they will undoubtedly seek new ways to escape the filters of Google, which once again plays the role of a cat unfortunately often lagging behind the mice.