Here is an algorithm that has sounded the death knell for poor quality content. Google’s search algorithm, Google Panda, and its several updates since 2011, has been designed to filter out the good content sites from the bad ones and cut the ranking for the latter. The launch of this algorithm in February 2011 has heralded a new era, where poorly written content is no longer acceptable. The algorithm has affected the search results of numerous websites and changed the way SEO professionals and webmasters need to think about optimizing their content. Read on to know how Google Panda updates work and how you can use them to your advantage.
Impact of Google Panda Updates
Google Panda and its updates affect the ranking of an entire site or a specific section of a website rather than individual pages on a site. So, if even one page on your site has poor quality or duplicate content, it can lead to a lower ranking for the entire website. Google recommends that such websites should remove these pages, block them from being indexed or rewrite them.
According to Matt Cutts, head of Webspam at Google, rewriting of duplicate content must be of very good quality and should bring additional value to the web.
Other sites that may not get good rankings are those that provide general information, which is non specific and not too different from what is already available online.
One negative impact that the Google Panda updates have had is that they have hit small and local businesses and websites hard by reducing their search visibility in comparison to bigger names and sites, especially product related companies. Several smaller websites have had to suffer despite the fact that they offer better services and prices. Consequently, Google is working on developing a softer Panda update.
Tips for Better Ranking by Google Panda
Till Google comes out with a softer version of its Panda Update, here are some useful tips that can help you make the most of this algorithm:
- Block the indexing and crawling of all low quality content or auto generated content. This will ensure that your whole website is not ranked as being low quality.
- Focus on creating unique content and stop stealing content from others.
- Ensure that the content provided is correct and trustworthy. Make sure it is so good that it can be bookmarked and recommended to others.
- Restrict the advertising ratio to ensure that readers enjoy your website.
Build powerful and original content for your website and use white hat SEO techniques. This is the best way to ensure higher search engine page rankings, irrespective of which version of the Google Panda Update is currently in use.