All About the Update of Google Multitask Unified Model

Last summer, Google introduced an update called the Multitask Unified Model (MUM) that helps users search the web for answers to all their questions, regardless of the language used. This update differs from the old system by allowing users to find more data from a single query. As a result, it becomes easier for people to find what they are looking for without having to enter multiple queries.

MUM recognizes 75 languages and allows users to search for information through images. With the new system, searches become more intuitive, as Google representatives claim. But is this really the case? Will the algorithm prove to be as effective as promised? Will it appeal to SEO specialists and all those involved in website promotion? Today, we will try to answer all the questions and introduce you closer to this algorithm.

Multitask Unified Model – Features of the New Technology

At the core of MUM is artificial intelligence, which helps conduct more effective searches for information on the internet. Previously, to find truly suitable information, people had to change their queries several times and translate information from unfamiliar languages.

Now, it’s possible to get much more data by entering a single query. The new algorithm is capable of identifying not only data in the form of articles. It extracts data from images, podcasts, and videos, making the results very clear.

Thanks to its ability to recognize 75 languages worldwide, users can easily search for the necessary information. Information is gathered from a large number of sites, among which the needed information will certainly be found.

With the algorithm’s help, the method of obtaining data will change somewhat. That is, all sources found by a query will be analyzed, and the user will see the most informative and relevant results.

Capabilities of the Multitask Unified Model

MUM is considered a global and high-speed update by Google. It removes problems associated with language barriers, significantly increasing the chances of finding suitable results. Thus, users can receive the most accurate, useful, and query-corresponding answers.

Recently, keywords and SEO promotion played the main role in search engine algorithms. Overall, though keywords haven’t lost their significance, they will now be used more naturally. MUM recognizes the language of the entered phrase and searches for answers in different global sources, analyzing not only articles but also images, videos, and even audio recordings.

Benefits of MUM

MUM can deeply analyze the user’s query and provide a comprehensive answer to it. This helps resource owners and webmasters align their content with people’s intentions and understand their needs. A significant part of this process is played by artificial intelligence.

It can be compared to a trip to a new city and knowing what you need to learn for it. Initially, you should study the route, find the most interesting places in the city, look at the weather, and make a plan. The more questions there are, the longer it will take to find answers. With MUM, searching becomes much faster, presenting all information compactly.

Language Perspectives

Previously, users could only find information on pages written in the language of their entered phrase. MUM can find answers on websites with content in one of the 75 global languages. People will receive the desired information in their native language. Thus, MUM functions as both a specialist and a translator, expanding search boundaries.

Moreover, people no longer need to overly contemplate formulating their queries for the search engine to understand them correctly. A notable advantage is that now image and video searches are possible. MUM will find the answer to a query on any country’s website.

For example, if you want to find reviews of a restaurant in a country you are visiting as a tourist, before, you’d need to use specific words, names, and local jargon. Thanks to the new system, your life becomes much easier, and you can find all that using your native language.

What Multimodality Means

MUM technology significantly surpasses old algorithms. While previously, it was possible to get decent answers to simple and clear questions, if the question was convoluted or multi-step, multimodality would be used. This technology is useful when the query result is presented as an image with Italian phrases.

Artificial Intelligence

Will artificial intelligence impact previously used strategies to attract new site users? Previously, the presence of keywords and user intent was primarily considered. MUM is more meticulous with queries, highlighting useful and query-relevant sites in top positions.

If web resources have content issues, their positions will be reduced until they entirely disappear from the search results. Site owners need not only to incorporate as many keywords as possible. Now, special attention should also be given to the media content that the new algorithm favors.

How to Align with MUM Technology

The BERT technology emerged in 2019, and at that time, it was significantly better than the previously used algorithms. But today, Google claims that MUM already significantly outpaces the old system. This is not surprising, as each new system is always an improvement over the old. Of course, saying that MUM will be all-powerful is not something anyone can claim, but the search process will undoubtedly change.

To maintain your site’s standing before the MUM algorithm, try to work on it correctly:

• Understand your target audience and create quality content. The site’s content should provide maximum benefit, answer questions, and include images, videos, and other media besides text. Of course, a blog post is the main source of information for readers. But for both MUM and users, a variety of videos, audio, and images play a crucial role.
• Although MUM can recognize 75 languages, do not abandon your SEO strategy in different languages. This way, you increase the importance of the site in your locality and make it more interesting for visitors.
• Fill the site with content that enhances brand recognition. This includes informative and entertaining texts, quality and original images. Also, pay attention to micro-markup for algorithms to understand your content’s specifications.

MUM Update and the IT industry

It’s time to discuss MUM’s relationship with the development of IT companies. Currently, there are no drastic changes, but Google emphasizes the importance of featuring high-quality content with case studies on the site. Particularly high demands are on sites that publish expert data.

After the update’s implementation, IT companies need to pay special attention to several aspects. Let’s discuss them in detail.

Alt for Images

The Alt tag is necessary to clarify what exactly is on the images placed on the site. When uploading an image, it needs a detailed description, not just a keyword.

Micro-markup for Videos

For a video to be recognized and used as an answer to a user’s query, micro-markup should be applied.

Authentic Photos

The site should feature real photographs, not internet images. Trust in the web resource significantly boosts if it includes genuine photos of the company director, its employees, or other activity photos.

Broad Responses Only for Complicated Queries

During the time of BERT, content providing comprehensive information was much more valued. However, MUM requires detailed answers only for high-level complex queries; simple questions should receive equally straightforward answers.

Using Different Types of Content

Now, search engines will offer not only text but also video, images, audio, and various documents as answers to user queries. Therefore, these need to be high-quality and beneficial.

FAQ

The MUM algorithm uses data from the FAQ section for its purposes. A site owner can provide quick answers to common visitor questions.

Conclusion

The MUM update should not fundamentally change SEO specialists’ attitude toward website promotion methods. In any case, it’s crucial to strive to fill the site with useful, informative, and expert content. Search engines will then feature your site among the top results. Thus, dedicate a larger portion of your time to content, as it will hold significant importance shortly.

What should overall be said about MUM? The search engine will now recognize data not only from text but also from images, videos, and audio recordings. For this reason, the chances of your site appearing in search results for any query will increase significantly. The greater the amount of media content, the more satisfied Google will be.

The flip side of the coin is that if the search engine begins to recognize many diverse types of information, it will be harder to compete with it. If you want to appeal to the search engine and be a priority, engage in quality website content creation.