Google Explains Index Selection During A Core Update

Google's Gary Illyes clarified that the processes of index selection and canonicalization are independent from core updates. He used an analogy to explain their functions, comparing core updates to adjusting cooking ingredients, like salt or MSG in a stir fry, which can change the result of the dish. In contrast, index selection and canonicalization are likened to what happens in the salt mines or MSG factories, which are not directly related to the cooking process itself.

Gary Illyes uses the analogy of cooking to explain the difference. He suggests that core updates are like playing with cooking ingredients, where changing the amount of salt or MSG can radically change the result of a dish. On the other hand, index selection and canonicalization are compared to the activities in salt mines or MSG factories, indicating that they are separate from the actual cooking (core updates).

The Google patent describes a search engine as a collection of different engines that work together yet independently. It specifically mentions an indexing engine, a ranking engine, and a score modification engine. Data flows in and out of each engine, getting processed according to its specific function. This structure helps to understand how various parts of the search engine operate both together and separately.