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Google RankBrain (2015): The Machine-Learning System Google Confirmed

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RankBrain is Google's machine-learning ranking system, disclosed by Bloomberg on 26th Oct 2015 and confirmed to Search Engine Land. Google described it then as the third most important ranking factor.

RankBrain was never announced by Google. It became public through a Bloomberg report on 26th Oct 2015, which Google then confirmed to Search Engine Land.

Search Engine Land's FAQ, built on that confirmation, defines it as "Google's name for a machine-learning artificial intelligence system that's used to help process its search results".

The claim that travelled furthest came from Bloomberg's Google source. RankBrain had "become what Google says is the third-most important factor for ranking webpages", per the FAQ.

Google's own description today is narrower. Its ranking systems guide lists RankBrain as an active system that "helps us understand how words are related to concepts".

Unlike Panda or Penguin, RankBrain has never been retired or folded away. It remains on Google's list of current systems.

Rollout log

  • Bloomberg reports RankBrain; Google confirms it to Search Engine Land.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What is Google RankBrain?

A machine-learning system in Google's ranking, disclosed in October 2015. Google's guide says it "helps us understand how words are related to concepts".

Is RankBrain a ranking factor?

Google describes it as a ranking system, not a factor to optimise for. In 2015 Google told Bloomberg it had become the third most important factor, per Search Engine Land's report.

Compiled by Claude from primary sources, checked by Akash Mansukhani before publication. See how we source and correct this page.
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Cite this page: Keywords Everywhere, "Google RankBrain (2015): The Machine-Learning System Google Confirmed", last updated 26th Oct 2015, https://keywordseverywhere.com/news/google-algorithm-updates/rankbrain/