The algorithm that powers Google Search is one of the most important, most complicated, and least understood systems that rule the internet. As of this week, though, we understand it a little better. Thanks to a huge leak of API documentation, we got an unprecedented look at what Google cares about, how it ranks content, and how it thinks the internet should work. The leaked documentation is dense, and it doesn’t tell us everything about how Google ranks, but it does offer a set of signals we’ve never seen before.
- Home
- Technology
- News
Inside the Google algorithm
An inside look at the Google algorithm, the media’s deals with OpenAI, Apple’s WWDC plans, and a party speaker cameo, on this episode of The Vergecast.


On this episode of The Vergecast, we discuss everything in the leaked documents, the SEO community’s reaction, the potential regulatory implications of it all, and what it means to build a website in 2024.
After that, we talk about the recent spate of media companies (including Vox Media, The Verge’s parent company) making content and technology deals with OpenAI. Are media companies making the same mistakes they did with Facebook and others, or are they actually trying to make sure they don’t make those mistakes again? We have a lot of thoughts, and we also want to hear from you in particular — disclosure is The Verge’s brand, after all, and we want to know how you think we should talk about all this. Email us at vergecast@theverge.com, call the hotline at 866-VERGE11, and tell us everything on your mind.
Finally, we do a lightning round of other tech news, including Apple’s AI plans at WWDC, Discord’s kinda-sorta pivot, a Fitbit for kids, “edgy” engagement, and the Sony party speaker The Verge’s Nilay Patel can’t stop talking about.
If you want to know more about everything we discuss in this episode, here are some links to get you started, beginning with the Google leak:
And on OpenAI:
And in the lightning round:
Iran state TV attacked in latest wave of Israeli strikes on Tehran
- 7 hours ago
Iran says it launched drone, missile attack targeting Israel
- an hour ago

Will the US get drawn into the Israel-Iran war?
- 12 hours ago

Foreign Ministry repatriates 268 Pakistanis from Iraq
- 7 hours ago
WhatsApp rolls out first major advertising features
- 9 hours ago

Gold price plummets in Pakistan
- 12 hours ago

FY26: Punjab govt hikes salaries by 10pc, pensions up 5pc
- 9 hours ago

The stunning reversal of humanity’s oldest bias
- 12 hours ago
Arshad Nadeem named in Forbes '30 Under 30' list for South Asia
- 11 hours ago

UAE announces 4-day work, 3-day off program for govt employees
- 13 hours ago

SBP maintains key policy rate at 11pc
- 12 hours ago

Hockey Nations Cup: Pakistan beat Japan by 3-2
- 7 hours ago