Updated November 23, 2021
Reading Time: 2 minutesGoogle Search continues to evolve with Panda updates getting more web press. Last week, Matt Cutts made some clarifications about Panda updates in his keynote address at SMX Advanced Conference. This post provides an abridged version of recent search engine algorithmic changes and what it means to SEO.
Panda Updates At Brisk Pace
Panda refers to part of the search engine that targets and penalizes websites with low quality content and artificial link networks. These are the websites that are much ado about nothing. They are keyword stuffed. They typically offer a poor human experience. They use link farms and other grey hat techniques to try to boost website authority and rankings. Google’s got their number, and continues to close SEO loopholes.
Dubbed in the press as a “Panda Dance” Google is rolling out these types of changes 10 out of 30 days a month. They call it a rolling update, and are purposefully not making announcements.
Targeting Spammy Niches
Panda Updates specifically target parts of the algorithm so it can take on niches with notorious spammers. Websites in industries like payday loans and porn sites will feel the SEO pinch.
SEO Implications
As we mention often on this blog, if you use practices that aren’t good for the human searcher… be prepared to suffer the consequences. Building White Hat SEO equity in an ethical and sustainable manner takes time and concerted effort. If you use link farms to bolster your inbound link numbers, we recommend that you mend your ways. If you’ve got weak or keyword stuffed content, put money into quality content marketing. If you don’t, then the roller coaster ride of Panda updates will continue to get bumpier and bumpier.
Did you notice any ranking changes due to the Panda dance?
photo credit – top: DocChewbacca