Recent major update to Google’s search volume algorithm

Google’s recent search volume algorithm update, which began rolling out on September 7, 2023, has introduced a significant change in how they calculate and display the search volume data, emphasizing the quality, relevance, and user intent of the keywords.

This shift signals the importance of creating high-quality content that aligns with the user's needs. Content creators should focus on understanding user intent and tailoring their content accordingly to improve their chances of ranking well in search results.

Let’s dive deeper and understand the changes.

From broad grouping to verbatim search

Before the update

In the past, keywords were grouped together based on perceived similarities, such as misspellings or variations of a single term. For instance, “apple tvs” and “apple tv for” were considered part of the same logical group and assigned the same combined monthly search volume. This approach made search volume metrics easier to understand but often missed the subtle differences in what the users were looking for and the specific reasons behind their searches.

After the update - Now

After the change, Google does not report the search volume numbers by group (or by intention). With this update, Google has shifted away from the ‘broad grouping methodology’ and now focuses on reporting search volume for the actual, verbatim search phrase. This means the groups (and intentions) of the keywords have narrowed now and cover less broad groups/intentions. This change may lead to lower search volume estimates for certain keywords, but it ultimately provides a more precise representation of user behavior and search patterns in the search engine.

Percentage of Keywords with significant search volume change

To better understand the recent change in Google Search Volume Algorithm, let’s examine this screenshot that tracks the percentage of keywords that have experienced a significant change in terms of Search volume since the last update.

Prior to the update, the graph consistently showed a range of 0-2%, indicating a stable and predictable pattern of search behavior. However, after the algorithm update, there has been a noticeable surge in the percentage of keywords with significant changes in search volume.

This spike reflects the substantial impact of the new algorithm on how search volume is calculated and displayed. The dramatic increase in the percentage of keywords with significant changes, reaching a peak of 18%, highlights the substantial impact of the new algorithm on search volume calculations.

Ever since the algorithm was updated, we’ve seen a consistently high number of changes. We expect this to settle once we’ve processed all keywords under the new rule.

What does this mean for you?

This new algorithm brings exciting opportunities for SEO professionals and content creators to gain deeper insights into user behavior and search patterns. We at Accuranker are quite excited about this change and are monitoring the development closely. To understand how this change affects SEO and content strategies, let’s take a look at how the new algorithm provides -

Enhanced Keyword Level Insights

With the new algorithm, you’ll receive more accurate insights for each keyword, thereby allowing you to make informed decisions about your SEO and content strategies. This granular data will provide a clear understanding of the true search volume of specific keywords and enable you to prioritize content creation and optimization efforts accordingly.

Impact on Aggregated Metrics

The update will also affect aggregated values, such as those on the overview page (https://www.accuranker.com/help/overview/). Previously, keywords like “apple tvs” and “apple tv for” would contribute equally to metrics like Share of Voice. However, with the new algorithm update, they will only contribute based on their actual search volume. As a result, you may notice a decrease in average and total values for aggregated metrics.

Here are some examples -

As Google continues to refine its search algorithms, it’s crucial to adapt your SEO and content strategies to reflect this evolving landscape. By embracing the new search volume algorithm, you can gain a deeper understanding of the user intent and create content that aligns with their specific needs.