When you update an old article on your website, it’s important to ensure that search engines like Google recognize the changes. Here are some ways Google can detect that your article has been updated:

Crawling and Indexing:

Search engines regularly crawl websites to discover new content and updates.
When Googlebot visits your website and finds changes, it indexes the updated page to reflect the latest version.
XML Sitemaps:

Including your updated article in your website’s XML sitemap helps search engines identify changes more efficiently.
Submitting the updated sitemap to Google Search Console can expedite the indexing process.
Internal Linking:

Linking to the updated article from other relevant pages on your website sends signals to Google that there is new content to be indexed.
Ensure that internal links are updated to direct users and search engine bots to the latest version of the article.
Structured Data Markup:

Implementing structured data markup, such as Schema.org, can provide additional context to search engines about the changes made.
Markup elements like “dateModified” or “last reviewed” can indicate when the article was last updated.
Social Signals:

Sharing the updated article on social media platforms can alert search engines to the changes.
While social signals may not directly impact search rankings, they can help increase visibility and drive traffic to the updated article.
Fetch as Google:

Use the Fetch as Google tool in Google Search Console to request indexing of the updated article.
This tool allows you to submit specific URLs for crawling and indexing, expediting the process.
Monitor Search Results:

Keep an eye on search engine result pages (SERPs) to see if the updated article appears with the latest information.
Monitor organic traffic, rankings, and user engagement metrics to assess the impact of the updates.
Remember that it may take some time for search engines to discover and reflect the changes you’ve made. The frequency and speed of indexing depend on various factors, including your website’s authority, crawlability, and the significance of the updates. Patience is key, but ensuring you follow best practices for SEO and promoting the updated article can help improve its visibility in search results.

It’s worth noting that Google’s algorithms are complex and constantly evolving. While these strategies generally assist in signaling updates to Google, search engine behavior and ranking factors can change over time. Therefore, staying informed about the latest SEO practices and guidelines from reputable sources is essential for effective optimization.