[Editor’s Note: Updated January 2026 to reflect the latest Gemini-powered search updates and the rise of AI Overviews.]
Google has been a leading search engine for over two decades, but the landscape has shifted dramatically from the algorithm updates of the past to the AI-driven ecosystem of 2026. While the “retirement” of specific ranking systems in 2023 made headlines, it paved the way for the biggest change we see today: The AI Overview (AIO).
Below, we detail the historical changes that started this shift and explain what factors influence your website’s ranking in 2026.
2026 Update: The Rise of AI & “Hidden” Signals
While Google previously removed specific systems from its public documentation (see below), they didn’t disappear—they became part of the core “brain” of Google Search. In 2026, the focus has shifted from checking boxes (like “is it mobile friendly?”) to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO).
- AI Overviews: Google now prioritizes content that answers questions directly. If your content is “contextually complete,” it may be featured in the AI summary at the very top of results.
- E-E-A-T is Critical: With AI writing so much content, Google places a premium on Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Real human insight is now a major ranking signal.
- User Intent over Keywords: It is no longer just about “Google SEO changes” as a keyword; it is about why the user searched for it.
The Context: The “Shocking” System Retirements (Original Report)
To understand where we are today, we must look at the major shift that occurred in April 2023, when Google simplified its documentation to prepare for the AI era.
Recently, Google announced an update to its documented ranking systems page, removing four ranking systems from the list. The removed ranking systems include mobile-friendly ranking, page speed, secure sites, and page experience systems. These Google SEO changes caused a stir among website owners and SEO professionals, who were left wondering what factors would influence their website’s ranking.
What were the removed ranking systems?
- The Mobile-Friendly Ranking System: Introduced in 2015, this rewarded websites that were optimized for mobile devices.
- The Page Speed System: Introduced in 2010, this encouraged website owners to improve their website’s loading speed.
- The Secure Sites System: Introduced in 2014, this gave priority to sites that used HTTPS encryption.
- The Page Experience System: Introduced in 2020, this included several signals, such as Core Web Vitals, mobile-friendliness, HTTPS, and no intrusive interstitials, to measure user experience on websites.
What did this update actually mean?
Google’s announcement raised questions about whether these ranking systems had any significant impact on website rankings. However, the removal was largely a documentation cleanup, not a change in how Google values quality. Google clarified that while these are no longer standalone “systems,” the signals (like page speed and mobile-friendliness) remain highly relevant as part of the broader “Page Experience” concept.
In a FAQ section, Google stated:
“Not all of these may be directly used to inform ranking, [but] we do find that all of these aspects of page experience align with success in search ranking.”
What Should Website Owners Do in 2026?
Website owners should not panic about this update. The removal of these systems from the list was a move to simplify Google’s complex architecture, allowing their AI models to assess quality more holistically.
- Focus on “Helpful Content”: This is now the primary system. Does your content satisfy the user, or is it just fluff?
- Optimize for AI Readability: Use clear headings, bullet points, and direct answers (like we have done in this article) to help Google’s AI understand your page.
- Don’t Ignore Basics: Mobile-friendliness, Page Speed, and HTTPS are still the “price of entry.” You won’t rank without them, even if they aren’t “systems” anymore.
Conclusion
Google’s decision to retire these ranking system names was the first step toward the modern AI search we see in 2026. The fundamentals haven’t changed: a user-friendly website that loads quickly and uses HTTPS is crucial. However, to win today, you must go beyond technical fixes and provide high-value, expert content that serves the user first.
