Penguin Update: After Effects and Retaliation FAQs
- General
Penguin Update: After Effects and Retaliation FAQs
Penguin 2.1: After Effects and Retaliation FAQs
Google, for enhancing search results rolled out yet another Penguin update Penguin 2.1 (penguin 5). With a tweet Matt Cutts announced that it will “affect ‘1% search queries with a noticeable degree”. With this update Google is trying to further purify the search results by cutting down web sites with spammy backlink profile. And effects are more than visible on SERPs, Web pages that had spammy links are out of SERPs.
- What are Google’s Intention?
Google is clearly trying to promote Adwords by introducing changes in Analytics, but these updates are only intended to improve search results. With Spam like “Mug Shots”, “Bombing” & “negative SEO” we also want Google to keep on updating search algorithms.
- How Big is the Change?
Quite Big, Penguin1 effected ~3% of search queries and we all know how much it hurt us, where as Penguin 2.1 is estimated to affects ~1% searches.
- Who will be penalized?
As earlier versions of Penguin, this one is also targeted to demote web sites with spammy and unrelated link base.
- Is Black Hat SEO over?
No not yet! But I don’t know how much time they have. Google is constantly trying to curb out Black Hat SEO and with the kind of brains they have hired it is just a matter if time of Black hats. Check out some Black hat forums and see the destruction that Penguin 2.1 has caused.
Penguin 2.1
- Do all Web Masters and SEO have to worry?
No, Web Masters and SEO who have followed Google’s guidelines need not to worry too much. But if your ranks suddenly dropped do check you Back-link profile.
- What Google Suggests?
- Unique + Useful content
- High authority Back Link base (Organic)
- Social Media Presence
- Microdata use Data HighLighter in web masters, add OG and twitter card etc.
- What to Do?
- Disavow spammy links and resubmit your web site in web master.
- Create back links on .Gov/.Edu web sites. Back-Links for higher DA web sites are great for ranking. (Paid/Organic)
- Knowledge sharing via any means Social Media, Blogging, Pod-casting etc.
- Search Engine Marketing.
- What Not to Do?
- Spammy Link Building
- Content Spinning
- Back Link on exact anchor keywords
- Difference B/W Penguin Updates?
It is very early to say what exact changes Google has made into Penguin Algorithm but is definitely more edgy in terms of cutting spammy web sites.
- Humming Bird?
Humminbird is not a penalizing algorithm but it is an attempt at making search result smarter and “sense” oriented rather than “keyword” oriented. Google is still learning about the LSI and HummingBird is one step towards it. Other impact of this update will be on mobile search, Google is desperately trying to promote voice search and for this they are enhancing their knowledge graph.
- SEO’s Future?
What we were told on the first day of starting a career as SEO is the answer to this question, “We work for users and not Search Engines”. SEO is not about how to trick search engines or their crawlers but we work to create Internet presence for users. SEOs that follow this concept surely have an edge over others.