Be aware! Google is making even more changes to its search algorithm. Google’s Matt Cutts announcedthe launch of Google Panda version 2.2 at the SMX Advanced Search Marketing Expo held in Seattle on June 7thand 8th, 2011.
Google Panda update 2.1 was launched this April with the goal of improving search results by culling results from contentfarms. These sites produce massive amounts of low quality articles to achieve higher rankings using Search Engine Optimization keywords.
Google Panda version 2.2 will target sites that republish content. In the past, some republished articles had placedhigher in the Google rankings than the original published material.
The launch date for Google Panda version 2.2 has not been announced. Targeted at web contentscraping, which is also known as content republishing, the goal is toin the rankings. As in Google Panda 2.1, this sounds like a great idea, but there was fallout from the firstupdate. Article directories were affected by the Panda update, and some quality websites composed oforiginal material also felt the impact of the algorithm changes.
Matt Cutts advised that Google will continue to improve its algorithms as needed. He also statedthat Google understands that some legitimate websites were affected by Panda. If you feel that your website was affected, contact Google. Their intention was to lower the rankings of the content farmsand improve the rankings of quality websites, but they understand that the Panda changes have hadsome negative reactions.
It may take some time to push your website back up into the rankings, if you have been affected by the first Google Panda update. The second update is due soon, duringthe results from the first update.
Removing scraper sites or sites that produce duplicate content is aimed at improving search results. Publish original content on your website, and you will increase your traffic.
If your site was affected by the first Panda update, Google has not made any manual changes to therankings. They are recompiling their data and attempting to resolve some issues. Google looks for spampages and pages with hidden text using Black Hat Techniques. Making changes to your site will notresult in immediate improvement in the rankings. These changes will not register until Google performstheir next Panda assessment.
In a survey conducted by Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable,
http://www.seroundtable.com/google-panda-recovery-poll-13456.html,
over 500 responses werereceived. 85 percent of the webmasters who were affected by the first Panda Update reported thatthey have not recovered, 5 percent had a total recovery, and 9 percent had a partial recovery.
To create a Google friendly website, check out the tips from Google Webmasters:
http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=40349
http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=70925
Google Panda 2.2 is not the end of the Google algorithm updates. They are constantly working toimprove search results. They know that they don’t always get it right, butfeedback, you will not be able to keep up with the changes.
If you are going to be at the mercy of the Google Panda updates, it helps to become familiar with Google and their webmaster tools. Google will address most of your issues through their Webmaster site. Although Google can not guarantee your placement in the rankings, following the advice Webmaster Guidelines will help you to increase traffic to your website and increase revenue.