Google’s Algorithm Impact Over the Years in Graphic Detail

Infographic Shows How Google Has Controlled Webmaster Practices

By Chris Crum · March 28, 2011 · 19 Comments

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SEOBook has posted a very interesting infographic from Jess.NET, about Google’s “Collateral damage” and “How the Evolving Algorithm Shapes the Web”.

The infographic illustrates the story of Google’s rise to Internet power and the impact it has had on webmasters and publisher. While not covering every algorithm change over the years, it does a pretty good job of highlighting the major shifts in webmaster practices that have been largely influenced by Google.

It wraps up with the Panda update and plays heavily on Demand Media’s content business wemodel, which is still proving successful. It does emphasize, however, just how dependent on Google webmasters and publishers have become, and shows why it is in your best interest to diversify your traffic sources.

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“Rather than using unobtrusive measurement, Google both measures & monetizes the publishing ecosystem,” says SEOBook. “Their most recent algorithmic update likely shifted over $1 billion in online ad revenues. Their editorial philosophy & ad programs have likely had more impact on the shape of the web than anything or anyone since Tim Berners-Lee created it.”

“Some of the biggest problems in search (like content farms) were created by Google,” the site adds. “This image highlights how the search ecosystem has changed since Google has become a serious player, and how Google has used their amazing marketshare to bend the web to their will.”

Google’s Panda update has been incredibly controversial for something that was intended to improve the quality of results for users. Many think that the results are indeed better now, while others are skeptical or flat out disagree. Either way, it’s affected a great deal of sites - some deservedly so, and others which are more debatable.

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There are 19 Comments. Add Yours.

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Nick Stamoulis
March 24, 2011 at 9:40 am

There is no denying that when Google makes a change, it has a strong effect on the infrastructure of the Internet. Whether website owners agree with the Panda Update or not, you have to play by Google’s rules in order to succeed. No update is going to be perfect, but Google is always going to try to improve the user-experience to keep their users happy.

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  Chris Crum
  March 24, 2011 at 9:42 am
  
  True on both accounts.
  
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    Beamer
    March 26, 2011 at 11:54 pm
    
    Spoken like true koolaide drinkers. I must respectfully disagree with you both. I do not believe that people “have to play” by Google’s rules to succeed. That is pure BS. PLENTY of businesses succeeded long before G was a gleam in the internet’s eye. Long before the internet ever existed! Think Sears…1886 (Google was REALLY powerful then) Ahhh, the good ol’ days.
    
    Come on guys, grow a pair and see G for what it is, an internet dictator. We all know what eventually happens to dictators. They get overthrown and/or ousted. And their minions (you two guys, Nick, Chris, et al)go into hiding to reinvent yourselves.
    
    BRING IT ON METAL TIGER! I can hear your ROAR!
    
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      Chris Crum
      March 27, 2011 at 10:02 am
      
      When I said “both accounts,” I was actually referring to “when Google makes a change, it has a strong effect on the infrastructure of the Internet” and “No update is going to be perfect”.
      
      That said, Businesses certainly have succeeded pre-Google, but it’s a different world now. That’s not to say that it is impossible to succeed without Google, but a strong presence in Google can certainly help to a great extent – even a make or break extent, depending on how much the business has come to rely on search engine traffic (which many, many online businesses have). There are other search engines, but still, none come close to providing the traffic that Google can.
      
      That’s just how it is. You’re right in that it doesn’t have to be that way forever.
      
      Reply
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Fashion Mag
March 24, 2011 at 9:47 am

I’ve heard EZA Hurt badly by New googles Changes

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  Chris Crum
  March 25, 2011 at 11:03 am
  
  They were certainly hit in the beginning. They’ve been doing a lot of things to try and turn it around. It will be interesting to see if they are able to do so.
  
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Jeff Schneider
March 24, 2011 at 10:37 am

There is no secret that will constantly keep you high in Googles rankings. Our web site has been on the first page in rankings many times but utimately falls back down. Then we have to adjust S.E.O. recalibrations to regain the first page.

We as well as all online Business Owners are being contantly GAMED By Google. It is no secret to us that Google is constantly manipulating Alogs. What they do on a regular basis is manipulate their Alogs to cause constant S.E.O. countermoves so as to control the Ad Market.

Talk about Gaming?? We feel this is nothing more than Corporate EXTORTION being perpetrated on all Online Business Owners who agree to their Game. We have a solution we will be offering all Business Owners once our site is launched. Stay tuned Business Owners you are about to get a fair search alternative that builds your Brand not ours.

Gratefully, Jeff Schneider (Contact Group) (Metal Tiger)

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  Roe
  March 25, 2011 at 5:55 pm
  
  Shhhh… they can hear you.
  
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Wayne Ouellette
March 24, 2011 at 2:42 pm

All I can say is WOW. Awesome article. This is one of the best “Google” articles I have read in a while.

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Tommy
March 25, 2011 at 4:55 am

It’s weird to witness that Google seem to be so dominant when it comes to online ads. Is it really okay that tey have such a leading role? I know they created the market, and we are all just following, but it’s scary sometimes to see the power of 1 company.

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  Chris Crum
  March 25, 2011 at 11:05 am
  
  They’ve come a long way since they were just two guys with a better idea of how to rank web sites that other search engines didn’t take seriously enough at the time.
  
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Ed H
March 25, 2011 at 7:33 pm

Yea, Ezine was hurt. Usually Page 1 with my stuff and now on Page 2 and 3. I assume they’ll figure things out and come back.

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Entrepreneur
March 27, 2011 at 2:19 pm

Oh that is brilliant, I have printed the full size image off. It is good to see how it all fans out, decisions which effect the mathematical equation. Thank you .for posting this useful information. Have a great day

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Anthony Milano
March 27, 2011 at 4:01 pm

Google has the right to change the quality of websites being shown. We need to get those spammers off SERP.

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  Chris Crum
  March 28, 2011 at 7:25 am
  
  Agreed, though it’s not always spammers that suffer.
  
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Guest
March 28, 2011 at 5:59 pm

I think it’s time for the government to control Google fully to stop the abuse. I’d call for Eminent Domain done on them. I think Pelossi and Reid would run Google fairly and better and believe me, those two wouldn’t recognize a t-bone about anything.

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James Butler
March 29, 2011 at 6:33 pm

Getting around the anti-Google bias was pretty easy, as the jabs came undisguised.

However, Chris, you should reconsider copy-and-pasting quotes from your source when those quotes are not able to be verified, particularly when they are used to stoke emotions at the expense of thoughtfulness.

I refer to the sentence: “Their most recent algorithmic update likely shifted over $1 billion in online ad revenues.”

Where did that figure come from? “Shifted” from where to where else?

When that statement is included in the author’s paragraph about how they feel that Google’s scientific method is unsound because simply publishing the results of any Google study affects the subject of that study (their business), it makes it seem as if Google has conspired to shift the search landscape to the detriment of the Internet. Another unfounded claim that you repeat verbatim without illumination in your article.

It’s a cute graphic … I’m sure it will grace many marketing department walls … but it seems obvious that, as produced by a “victim” of Google’s changing algorithms (hence the “Collateral Damage” title), it is little more than a prettified whinefest.

As further evidence, note the panels that include “… SEO became harder for individual SEOs …” and “To make SEO harder and more expensive for individual SEOs …”

I rest my case. Please vet the claims made by third parties before repeating them as if they were true. And, as always, consider the source. Thanks.

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seo analysis
April 6, 2011 at 4:49 am

Awesome article. Google’s Panda update has been incredibly controversial for something that was intended to improve the quality of results for users.

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Nail art 2011
April 7, 2011 at 9:03 am

One of my friends website got hit by googles collateral damage or whatever you say.. his site was ranking first but then after the hit he got almost zero rank from google from rank 5 now i dont know what google think of himself lol but i must say that there should be some competition atleast someone should stand up !! lol ideas people ?

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