John Muller Talks on BERT Algorithm and How Does It Impact Webpage Rankings
In a google hangout session, john muller explains “getting hit by BERT algorithm update”
He was explaining a question regarding google BERT algorithm update and how to recover from it
John Mueller said that the BERT algorithm is not an update that changes your SERP drastically, “BERT algorithm understands the text well on the search queries particularly when users enter long and conversational search queries, BERT algorithm senses the context of the search query and evaluate the relevant page content, is it accurate to the search query or not and then it shows the relevant results to the search query.
What is Google BERT Algorithm
In longer and conversational search queries, BERT understands the prepositions like “for” & “to” and the context of the search query and shows the relevant results what exactly users are looking for.
Google’s May Broad Core Algorithm Update 2020
Google announced May 2020 broad core algorithm starts rolled out and it takes one or two weeks to be completely rolled out.
The same announced through their twitter handle
The May 2020 Core Update is now rolling out live. As is typical with these updates, it will typically take about one to two weeks to fully roll out.
— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) May 4, 2020
The May 2020 Google’s broad core algorithm roll out is complete now and the same thing google announced through its twitter handle
The May 2020 Core Update rollout is complete.
— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) May 18, 2020
Impact of May 2020 Google Broad Core Algorithm
According to SEMrush, the most influenced niches of this Google’s May 2020 broad core algorithm are travel, tourism, news, business, shopping, beauty and fitness, real estate, medical, pets, and society, the impact is same across both desktop and mobile as well.
SERP volatility for the last 30 days

SERP Comparison Across Different Niches


What google is the core algorithm?
Google’s core update is an enhancement of the current algorithm which is used to better understand the user’s search query and websites to get accurate and relevant results on its SERP.
Difference Between Google Core Update and Broad Core Update
When John Mueller was asked the same question, He answered: “I imagine that’s generally the same (though I don’t really know where you’re getting them from).”
I imagine that's generally the same (though I don't really know where you're getting them from).
— 🍌 John 🍌 (@JohnMu) February 18, 2020
Google released board core algorithm update on January 13th 2020, as it does several times a year.
Later today, we are releasing a broad core algorithm update, as we do several times per year. It is called the January 2020 Core Update. Our guidance about such updates remains as we’ve covered before. Please see this blog post for more about that:https://t.co/e5ZQUA3RC6
— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) January 13, 2020
On Jan 16th google announced the update is mostly done and it may take 2 weeks to fully complete.
For those who have asked, the update is mostly done, though as with any core update, it may take to two weeks to fully complete.
— Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) January 16, 2020
Who were hit hardest by January 2020 core update?
According to mozcast here is the data of seven categories which topped 100F on Jan 14th.
Google says there is only one way to get recovered from the negative impact of the Core Algorithm update is to concentrate on creating great content. These broad core algorithms are meant to improve search quality by giving accurate and relevant results to its users.
How to recover from a broad core algorithm?
Google says “websites that drop ranks after a core update rolled out don’t need to work on anything but Just need to place quality and relevant content. ”
- Focus on content
- Focus on E.A.T (Expertise, Authority and Trustworthiness)
- Ensure Your Technical SEO is strong.