FreshnessTwiddler / RealTimeBoost
Current pages rank higher, but only if the query actually demands freshness.
01What it measures
Current pages rank higher, but only if the query actually demands freshness. For certain queries Google expects fresh content; the concept is called 'Query Deserves Freshness' (QDF). FreshnessTwiddler gives current pages a temporary ranking boost. RealTimeBoost is the sharper variant for real-time events like severe weather or breaking news.
02Derived from
A combination of two things: the document's freshness state (when was it last updated?) and the query's freshness demand (are many people currently searching with a time reference for this topic?).
03How it's measured
Two boost fields for fresh content. FreshnessTwiddler = a freshness-dependent re-ranking boost (Query Deserves Freshness). RealTimeBoost = a sharper, short-lived boost for real-time/event spikes. [B fields, O/C QDF]
04Why it counts here
Trust is indirect: an outdated severe weather warning is a breach of trust, because someone relies on wrong information. Otherwise this system is E-E-A-T-neutral: freshness is not a dimension of expertise or authority.
05What to do about it
Where timeliness matters, such as warnings, live data and fast-changing situations, freshness is central. The freshness boost only works if pages are crawled and indexed in time (see Crawl-Budget, System 21). Editorial processes for fast updates must be synchronized with the technical infrastructure.