Google vs Yandex: Behavioral Factors in 2025

Behavioral factors remain a relevant SEO tool in Yandex. Despite ongoing algorithm updates and anti-fraud measures, manipulation services continue to adapt, and websites are able to recover their rankings.

In contrast, Google’s ecosystem does not support such tactics — its focus remains on content quality, technical optimization, and backlink profiles.

This article explains the current role of behavioral factors and whether using manipulation is still worthwhile in 2025.

Is It Still Possible to Manipulate Behavioral Signals in 2025?

In recent years, little has fundamentally changed in how Yandex handles behavioral factors. While machine learning elements have been introduced to detect artificial activity, the core detection approaches have remained consistent.

Services that generate behavioral signals experience occasional disruptions — either due to search engine updates or technical issues — but they typically adapt within weeks, and manipulated websites regain positions.

Yandex acknowledges that behavioral signal manipulation exists and is widely used. However, it avoids strict penalties, as overly aggressive algorithms could harm legitimate sites with real user traffic. This would risk collateral damage across the entire Russian internet ecosystem.

As a result, Yandex uses a balanced approach: it penalizes only blatant, large-scale manipulation, while tolerating minor anomalies. Therefore, behavioral factor manipulation remains viable for those who understand the risks and focus on sophisticated execution.

What Happens If a Site Is Penalized for Behavioral Signal Manipulation?

The risk of Yandex imposing sanctions depends on the scale and quality of manipulation. Its algorithms can effectively detect crude tactics: bots with identical behavior patterns, IPs lacking geographic diversity, synchronized visits, or unnatural time-on-site patterns.

Such patterns are easily flagged, and these sites are most likely to face filters.

However, when manipulation is done cautiously using diverse traffic sources, the likelihood of sanctions is low. For moderate campaigns, the risk is estimated between 5%–10%. The most vulnerable are sites using bulk, uniform methods.

If a site is excluded from search results, recovery is possible. Usually, it takes 1–2 weeks after stopping manipulation and submitting a reconsideration request through Yandex.Webmaster. If the site had weak content or low organic traffic, restoration could take up to a month.

Tips to reduce risk:

• Monitor Yandex.Metrica closely, focusing on traffic sources and user behavior patterns.

• Use a mix of traffic sources to create a natural-looking profile.

• Avoid relying solely on artificial behavioral signals — support SEO with content, backlinks, and ads.

• At the first sign of a penalty, immediately stop manipulation and document the changes to support your case with Yandex.

Specialized tools help simulate realistic behavior and lower detection risk. For instance, the MoreLogin anti-detect browser enables multiple profiles, fingerprint control, and varied activity patterns — making traffic appear more authentic.

Thus, sanctions for behavioral manipulation remain the exception, not the rule. When they occur, fast action allows websites to recover and minimize long-term losses.

Do Behavioral Factors Still Affect Yandex Rankings But Not Google?

Yes, this is accurate. In Yandex, behavioral factors are still considered a major ranking signal. Its algorithms evaluate user interaction: time spent on the site, pages visited, and return visits. For this reason, behavioral manipulation is still in demand, despite the associated risks.

Google, however, uses a different model. Its multi-layered detection systems neutralize attempts to artificially create behavioral signals. Even with proxies, bots, and anti-detect tools, Google can detect unnatural patterns.

As a result, behavioral manipulation simply doesn't work on Google and usually leads to penalties.

Therefore, SEO strategies differ significantly: Yandex still allows behavioral factors as a supporting tool, especially in competitive niches. In Google, ranking depends on:

• High-quality, in-depth content

• Strong technical SEO

• Robust backlink profiles

This combination drives consistent growth in international search, where behavioral manipulation is no longer considered effective.

Should You Manipulate Behavioral Factors if Your Site Is Already in the Top 5–6?

In this scenario, behavioral signal manipulation can still be a valid tactic. Its main purpose is to push a site into the very top positions (Top 1–3), where the majority of clicks occur.

Statistics show that traffic drops sharply below the fourth or fifth position. Sites on the third search page receive almost no traffic at all.

Behavioral signals simulate real user actions, such as:

• Clicking on the search snippet

• Viewing multiple pages

• Staying on the site for a realistic time

• Returning to search results (or not)

This behavior sends a signal to the search engine that the site is relevant and engaging.

Therefore, behavioral manipulation can benefit both new and already-ranking sites. However, moving higher in the top results requires more sophisticated emulation and carries greater risk.