Google uses the same search algorithms for most languages, but in some cases, a different algorithm is required to interpret the queries.
Google’s Search Advocate John Mueller stated this in response to a Reddit thread titled “Does Google use the same algorithm for every language?”
The thread then inquires about ranking factors and SEO practices, as well as how they may differ from one language to the next.
The thread specifically states:
“The BERT update had to do with semantics, so it got me wondering if it would be the same in every language. Which then made me think of other ranking factors, and how their importance might differ among different languages/cultures. Anyway, I want to ask anybody with experience in SEO in another language, if you’ve found any differences between ranking factors?”
Mueller does not discuss ranking factors, but he does discuss the use of search algorithms in various languages.
In the section below, you can read his complete response.
Read Is Language A Google Ranking Factor?
How Google Search Algorithms Vary By Language
While many people refer to the Google Search algorithm as a single entity, it is actually composed of “lots and lots” of algorithms.
Some of these algorithms are used for all language searches, while others are only used for specific languages.
According to Mueller, some languages do not use spaces to separate words. As a result, a different algorithm than what Google uses for languages that do use spaces is required.
He states:
“Mostly. Search uses lots & lots of algorithms. Some of them apply to content in all languages, some of them are specific to individual languages (for example, some languages don’t use spaces to separate words — which would make things kinda hard to search for if Google assumed that all languages were like English).”
How Google Search Understands Content In Different Languages
On the subject of searching Google in different languages, it’s worth noting a point raised during last week’s Google Search Central SEO office-hours hangout.
Mueller was asked how Google knows when one page is similar to another when the content on each page is in a different language.
In short, Google cannot tell when a piece of content written in one language is identical or similar to content written in another.
Google relies on content publishers to determine whether multiple pieces of content written in different languages are equivalent.
Mueller explains how the hreflang HTML attribute accomplishes this:
“… we basically use the hreflang to understand which of these URLs are equivalent from your point of view. And we will swap those out…
… I think it’s impossible for us to understand that this specific content is equivalent for another country or another language. Like, there are so many local differences that are always possible.”
Knowing that Google cannot determine the equivalency of different language content on its own sheds more light on why Google has different algorithms for different languages.
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