If you’ve been active in the SEO world, then you’ll know that when a Google algorithmic update comes down the pipe, it’s time to raise the warning alert levels on high. According to several reliable resources, Google has been slowly rolling out a Panda 4.1 update over the last couple weeks. Isn’t it ironic, though? Algorithmic changes always occur at an unexpected time, under the radar, and undetected. Yup, that’s Google for you: mixing things up with a new beat. The big dilemma for website owners now is identifying the repercussions and recovery tactics for the recent Google Panda 4.1 update.
Background History on Google Panda
For those of you unfamiliar with the algorithmic update, let’s take a quick step back into history and reacquaint ourselves with the update. The Google Panda algorithmic update was first introduced around February 2011. This algorithm was primarily focused around “low-quality sites” or “thin sites” and ensuring that other sites with valuable information preceded such entities in the SERPs. Many sites containing heavy amounts of advertisements suffered during the Google Panda algorithmic shift. Domains such as CNET were particularly affected by this Google update by being penalized within the SERPs.
Since Google Panda, site owners have been forced to put forth more valiant endeavors in content initiatives. Hence the importance of blogging initiatives that lead to dynamic content generation and improved visibility in the SERPs.
Surviving Google Panda 4.1 Algo Update
Ok, so let’s get down to the million-dollar question: “What should I do to avoid a Google Panda penalty?” For starters, avoid a panic attack. Panicking is perhaps one of the first things most website owners suffer when finding out about a new Google algo update. In order to avoid any future potential penalties from a Google Panda update, strongly consider the following factors:
- Does your site have stale static content? If the main an internal pages of your website are outdated, it’s time to refresh them.
- Is dynamic content being generated? One way to avoid a potential slap on the wrist by Google Panda is to ensure that your site is contributing fresh content to the SERPs on regular basis.
- Are there spam links from irrelevant domains pointing back to your website? Google encourages usage of the disavow link tool to omit connections of your website domain with other URLs. NOTE: Exercise this feature with caution.
- Has the content of your site been duplicated or stolen by another entity? Check out this great post on How To Recover When Your Content Is Stolen over at SEL.
- Content Is King! One of the biggest learning experiences of this and future Google Panda updates is to comprehend the significant importance of fresh content.
Ok, so now you’re amped up about Pandas! Take deep breaths, remain focused, and stay hydrated. Taking these proactive steps will get your website ticking in the right direction.
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