Penguin is coming.
Google is always working on new ways to take over the world make our web-surfing experience better.
To do this, they research, reorganize, and update their methods for determining which website is best. They do this with fancy bits of code they call “algorithm updates.”
They like to name these search updates after friendly animals like “Panda” or “Penguin,” instead of more accurate names like “Piranha” or “T-Rex.”
Google is getting smarter. That’s a good thing. Just make sure you’re ready.
The first Panda update hit during 2011, and Google Penguin represents the latest march toward web excellence. The first Penguin launch took place April 2012, and more are on the way.
What does a search update have to do with penguins or pandas?
I have no idea. To make them sound less terrifying?
Here’s what I do know. Penguin is looking at:
Penguin attack!
Link Quality: Do 50% or more of your links come from low-quality sites?
Anchor Text: Do 50% or more of your links use exact-match keywords?
Link Velocity: Did you magically go from 0 to 300-500 new links in one month?
If you answered “yes” then you may be at risk for Penguin attack.
Blast! How do I know if I have bad links?
SEOmoz created a great tool for investigating links to your site: Open Site Explorer
So what DOES help your search rankings?
- Good content.
- Links from trustworthy sites.
- Careful use of keywords.
- Video & images with your text.
- Thinking about your visitors, not just search engines.
Need A Little Help?
Set up a website that will attract the right people – without getting on Google’s bad side.
Give us a call today at 918.518.6576 or contact us here.
We love to help good businesses up their game.
Want to Know More?
SEOmoz: Beginners Guide to SEO
Search Engine Land: SEO Periodic Table
Search Engine Journal: 7 Search Factors for 2013