Google Medic Algorithm Update

As we all know Google recently ran a huge Medical Health Algorithm – 1 Aug 2018. In the process, they demoted immense amounts of medical websites, ranging from Doctors Practices to Addiction Treatment Rehabs to general medical and health Blogs and E-commerce websites.

Google seems to have replaced branded websites with government websites, helplines, news websites, and directories.

Google’s Main Reason For Clamping Down On Addiction Treatment Rehabs

People saw how lucrative the Rehab industry was, and started opening rehabs centres all over the world purely for the sake of money. These rehabs took over Adwords by storm. Google stepped in and removed addiction queries from the USA results. But that did not stop UK rehabs.

Google’s main clampdown occurred when Daniel Gerrard was caught live on camera by two reporters from the Times. Gerrard bragged about his success and illicit techniques he used to game the search results, and he incriminated Google and mocked addicts.

Google then ran a huge Broad Core Algorithm in an attempt to clean up the organic search results, which never happened. Reputable treatment centers were removed and were replaced with government websites, news websites, directories and even outdated helplines!

Question at hand is :- Did the 1-8-18 Medic Algorithm work?

Google Medic Algorithm Failure

In my eyes, the algorithm was a total disaster. Big brands were removed and were replaced with directories, news websites and outdated websites that no longer offer the services they promote (government services, that is!) Those same websites have now taken over the Addiction Treatment search results.

SA’s Substance Abuse Helpline – Brand South Africa

The above title appears in Google for most addiction queries. (take note:- the published date) the article was written over a decade back. That same single page has taken over most medical queries.- https://www.brandsouthafrica.com/governance/health-services/south-africas-substance-abuse-helpline

Google Algorithm Credits Outdated Drug Abuse Helplines

Ten years back ‘SADAG’ and the’ Department of Social Development’ launched a toll-free substance abuse helpline in an effort to increase access to help, support and appropriate treatment for substance abuse users.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) then partnered with the Department of Social Development and launching a toll-free substance abuse helpline

The toll-free helpline number that they advertise is :- 0800 121314

The contact number was created 10 years back, and so was the joint effort between the SADAG and the Department of Social Development (which seems to have fallen apart)

I took the time out to contact SADAG on the toll-free number. At first, the phone rang endlessly. After the 4th attempt, someone answered!

I told them I have a drug problem and need drug assistance. The women on the other end replied :- ‘We don’t offer drug assistance we are a Depression and Anxiety Group‘ – And that was it!