Google changes search algorithm, trying to make results more timely

November 4, 2011

Google revised its methods on Thursday to make its answers timelier, reports The New York Times Bits.

Its new “freshness algorithm” is one of the biggest tweaks to Google’s search algorithm, affecting about 35 percent of all searches. It will bring up minutes-old results for recent events, like an unfolding news story, and for recurring events like the Oscars or a political campaign. It will also show fresher results for topics that are often updated, like reviews of a new iPhone.