Google Penguin Algorithm

There has been a lot of discussions recently on the Google Penguin Algorithm that could affect many website searches. I found an interesting article about Google Penguin Algorithm on Bob Coleman’s blog and I have re-published it below for your information and convenience.

Google Penguin Algorithm – No More Happy Feet!
Google’s latest “Penguin” algorithm wreaks havoc throughout the search marketing world – adversely impacting the Google rankings and traffic of some webmasters globally, including some of the world’s biggest brands.
The Drum. Google Penguin Leaves Trail of Slapped Sites in Its Wake. Virtual-Strategy Magazine. Many SEO in-the-knows perceive Google’s latest algorithm update or Penguin to have failed to correctly carry out its intent. In the midst of the confusion top online marketing expert James Schramko explains what Penguin has been doing and how to Brands Must Act Quickly to Ensure SEO Campaigns Comply With Google Penguin MarketWatch press release Google’s Penguin Search Algorithm Wrap UpBusiness Insider. 17 Ways SMBs Can Survive the Google Penguin Update EffectSearch Engine Watch. Seattle Post Intelligencer The Drum. all 173 news articles.…
Google is taking a tough stance with sub-par promotional activities, and the Google Penguin algorithm, this latest update is one of dozens of tweaks and amendments the search giant makes to its algorithm annually. In 2011, another significant update, known as “Panda” caused havoc among webmasters by penalizing websites based on the quality of their written content.

A few months ago, Farmer… a.k.a. PANDA sent webmasters and online marketers scurrying as they saw their ranking and traffic plummet; many from the first page of Google to cyberspace oblivion.
Well, Google is still tweaking it’s algorithm and there is no end in sight. What that means to Internet marketers and webmasters in general is simple. Build sites that adhere to the rules or suffer the wrath of Google.
If you are using Google’s search engine to drive free traffic, then it is critical that you get it right.
The introduction of Panda was essentially designed to rid the search engines of poor quality content, also known as “spammy” content and to improve user experience across the board in Google.
The key to avoiding a Panda slap is simple: Quality Content
Content should be original or unique and offer value to readers
Use ads or banners above the fold is not advised.
Bounce rate should be low.
Authority of site. Is the site referenced on social sites like Twitter and/or Facebook?
Authority of back-links. Where are your back-links coming from?
Over optimization of website. Avoid keyword stuffing.
This all sounds basic, but millions of websites are built without considering the above factors. Google has made it their mission to rid the Internet, or at least their search engines of low-quality websites.

The once popular one-three page “sniper” sites are no longer a viable alternative. The average affiliate marketer will be hard pressed to get them to rank. Why? They typically are little more than sales pages and contain little value for the reader.

This is evidenced by high bounce rate. If your site visitors are not sticking around on your website, obviously the content is lacking.

Penguin targets the websites which were spamming the hell out of Google with huge amount of back-links and irrelevant contents. The overall aim of the Penguin Update is to change Google’s search results and to punish the websites which are spammy in nature.

If you are attempting to “game the system” it is a very high probability that Penguin is going to get you. Spammy techniques like keyword stuffing, duplicate content, questionable linking practices, creating fluff content and basically anything with the sole purpose of misleading Google will be penalized.

Does that mean that aggressive back-linking techniques are out?
What about blog commenting?
Will link-wheels still work?
Does this mean the end of spinning articles?
The simple answer is yes and no. Moving forward think in terms of “quality” not “quantity”! Many online marketers have turned to sites like Fivver, purchasing bulk back-linking. That technique will probably not work any longer; unless you specify the kinds of links and the velocity at which the links are built.

Remember, one PR 6 back-link is worth more than 500 PR 0 back-links.

Finally, beware of online ‘gurus’ who promote products that try to “game” Google. You’re setting yourself up for a world of hurt.

Learning how to SEO is not hard. It just takes practice. Once you know the guidelines you can easily build sites that users will appreciate and Google will love you for. In the forefront of your marketing mind must be user experience.

Since I rely primarily on FREE traffic sources, I make it my business to stay on top of Google’s algorithm tweaks.

There is a great guide available that spells out exactly how to deal with Penguin and avoid being slapped by Google.