Google Panda Update

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Google Panda Update

Date Added: July 27, 2011 09:18:29 PM

As most of you are aware, Google moved forward with four "Panda" updates starting in February, 2011. These updates substantially changed the landscape of SERPS, including in searches for the term "web directory." Google is still trying to filter the spam and irrelevant search results, using a more dynamic analysis. Dmoz and Botw, which both were stable results on the first page of Google for the keywords "web directory," were both bumped recently, perhaps by the Panda updates, and currently appear on the second page of results (as of the time of this post). Hotvsnot.com, one of the strongest web directory sites online, may have been boosted by the latest Panda update, and moved up to the second position for the web directory keywords. Hotvsnot.com is widely recognized as a powerful web directory by authorities, including SEOMOZ, which recently scored the site with a very respectable mozRank of 6.88/10. Since the Panda updates began, Google really seems to be following its own mantra about better search results for quality sites, which meet or exceed the expections of its viewing audience. A SERP example of the above for the search of the keywords "web directory," is the Bagpipe Web Directory at www.bobdunsire.com/bagpipeweb. Although this site would appear to have a narrow viewing audience (the recent Alexa score is just under 1,000,000), Google's algorithm has determined that this site presents valuable content to its users; Google has rewarded this site with a position on the second page of the SERPS for the web directory keywords. Recently, the SERPS seem to dramatically change, even day to day. Ultimately, I think that Google's updates are now forcing websites to really consider their viewers first, more so than simply the SERPS and search engines.

Comments

The Editor:

2011-08-10 15:00:08

The Google Panda Update, also known as the Farmer Update, is due to return, again, by the end of August, 2011, if its past schedule remains consistent. Many webmasters, anticipating Panda's return, are taking a more proactive approach with their sites, carefully screening and adjusting on-page site components, link structure, and content. It goes without saying, that the Panda Updates have made many webmasters uncomfortable, since Panda has impacted websites previously thought to be trustworthy in Google's eyes.

I think for web directories, the Panda Updates may be outcome determinative. For example, many online services submit duplicate articles to hundreds of web directories at once. Duplicate content was a negative consideration before Panda. It appears to be an even more significant issue today. I think that Web Directory editors should be especially cautious in accepting any articles which have authors unknown or not deemed reliable by the editor. Careless editors may cause the needless destruction of their web directories, for Google's purpose (and thus the online community's purpose).

I think it is especially important that web directory editors focus on adding relevant websites which are useful to the users of the site. This creates an inherent conflict for editors, who accept marginal sites in the directory because they depend on income from their directory. Again, I think that strict care should be applied to any websites considered for the directory.

Finally, I think it is important for editors to provide useful and new content to the web directory, to enhance the usability of the users, and allow the users to spend more productive time on the web directory site. Web users are eager the share a valuable site with friends, family, etc. Thus, the more widespread use of the web directory, I believe that Google will deem this to be a positive factor towards the future updates.

The Editor:

2011-11-02 12:58:16

Google Panda Updates continue to keep SEO professionals on their toes. Next week's Pubcon event in Las Vegas may provide what we have been waiting for- a bit of insight to the SEO industry. Matt Cutts, who has substantial influence on the Google search algorithm, is scheduled as a keynote speaker on November 9, 2011, and usually provides helpful guidance at this event about what Google likes and doesn't like in their search results.

The Editor:

2011-11-23 15:41:41

November, 2011's Pubcon in Las Vegas was extremely eventful. Matt Cutts and Amit Singhal from Google spoke about the continued relevancy of search, as well as algorithm issues. Fresh content appears to be a substantial factor in Google's results, with less relevancy placed elsewhere.

This is good news to webmasters who continue to develop new and unique content in their directories, rather than minimal new content.

Word is that the Panda updates will be continued on a regular basis, to weed out the inferior content, and emphasize content which appears to meet search parameters. Thus, low bounce rate continues to be important in the SERPS.

The Spam Team at Google continue to develop their algorithm, with the goal of removing low-quality sites from the SERPS.

Time will tell if Google continues to meet their users' needs, or if Yahoo/Bing continue to grab more market share of "Search."

The Editor:

2011-12-26 14:57:09

It's 2011 year end, and Matt Cutts has given SEOs a bit of a breather, indicating that there will be no further Panda updates until 2012. In the meantime, this gives web directory editors a chance to evaluate the good and bad of their sites, do a little housecleaning, and commit to even better content for their directory users. 2012 promises to bring even more change to the SEO landscape, so be prepared for the unexpected, and stay on the road less traveled, the White Hat Expressway.

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Latest article comments

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Check out the new article about the top ten best web directories!

Dec 26: The Editor said on Google Panda Update
It's 2011 year end, and Matt Cutts has given SEOs a bit of a breather, indicating that there will be no further Panda updates until 2012. In the meantime, this gives web directory editors a chance to evaluate the good and bad of their sites, do a little housecleaning, and commit to even better content for their directory users. 2012 promises to bring even more change to the SEO landscape, so be prepared for the unexpected, and stay on the road less traveled, the White Hat Expressway.

Nov 23: The Editor said on Google Panda Update
November, 2011's Pubcon in Las Vegas was extremely eventful. Matt Cutts and Amit Singhal from Google spoke about the continued relevancy of search, as well as algorithm issues. Fresh content appears to be a substantial factor in Google's results, with less relevancy placed elsewhere. This is good news to webmasters who continue to develop new and unique content in their directories, rather than minimal new content. Word is that the Panda updates will be continued on a regular basis, to weed out the inferior content, and emphasize content which appears to meet search parameters. Thus, low bounce rate continues to be important in the SERPS. The Spam Team at Google continue to develop their algorithm, with the goal of removing low-quality sites from the SERPS. Time will tell if Google continues to meet their users' needs, or if Yahoo/Bing continue to grab more market share of "Search."

Nov 02: The Editor said on Google Panda Update
Google Panda Updates continue to keep SEO professionals on their toes. Next week's Pubcon event in Las Vegas may provide what we have been waiting for- a bit of insight to the SEO industry. Matt Cutts, who has substantial influence on the Google search algorithm, is scheduled as a keynote speaker on November 9, 2011, and usually provides helpful guidance at this event about what Google likes and doesn't like in their search results.

Aug 10: The Editor said on Google Panda Update
The Google Panda Update, also known as the Farmer Update, is due to return, again, by the end of August, 2011, if its past schedule remains consistent. Many webmasters, anticipating Panda's return, are taking a more proactive approach with their sites, carefully screening and adjusting on-page site components, link structure, and content. It goes without saying, that the Panda Updates have made many webmasters uncomfortable, since Panda has impacted websites previously thought to be trustworthy in Google's eyes. I think for web directories, the Panda Updates may be outcome determinative. For example, many online services submit duplicate articles to hundreds of web directories at once. Duplicate content was a negative consideration before Panda. It appears to be an even more significant issue today. I think that Web Directory editors should be especially cautious in accepting any articles which have authors unknown or not deemed reliable by the editor. Careless editors may cause the needless destruction of their web directories, for Google's purpose (and thus the online community's purpose). I think it is especially important that web directory editors focus on adding relevant websites which are useful to the users of the site. This creates an inherent conflict for editors, who accept marginal sites in the directory because they depend on income from their directory. Again, I think that strict care should be applied to any websites considered for the directory. Finally, I think it is important for editors to provide useful and new content to the web directory, to enhance the usability of the users, and allow the users to spend more productive time on the web directory site. Web users are eager the share a valuable site with friends, family, etc. Thus, the more widespread use of the web directory, I believe that Google will deem this to be a positive factor towards the future updates.

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