What to do about Google’s Penguin 4.0?

Photo credit: Patrizia08.

The announcement of the Google 4.0 Penguin release has triggered frenzied reactions across the SEO community worldwide. The update is expected to change the way SEO’s approach content in a manner that reflects organic visibility without worrying about penalties from previous search engine algorithms.

Key features

After months of anticipation, the Google Penguin update clearly covers two areas:

Granular approach

The newly updated all-language Penguin algorithm has taken a more granular approach. It will devaluate spam and adjust rankings using spam signals, which does not affect overall website ranking.

Real time running

The Penguin update ensures that data is refreshed in real time, so any changes are reflected faster than before. Many websites that have paid the price for poor SEO efforts in the past have witnessed slow recovery times—even after eliminating spammy backlinks.

While it’s natural to take some time for recovery, many websites have borne the burden of carrying these predicaments for longer than necessary. The new update means penalties can be given in real time, but also ensures faster recovery, which is great news for websites.

What do the changes mean for web masters?

With the real time Penguin 4.0 update, the algorithm is now likely to pick up spammy link profiles faster than ever before, while keeping low-quality sites from attaining higher ranks. The most important aspect will be to see how the changes fit with other factors used by Google for website rankings.

Both Panda and Penguin are now interjected in the search engine’s ranking algorithm, which potentially means previous recognized factors for website ranks may have been altered.

Links continue to play a role in SEO strategies

Web masters should keep in mind that links still have a role to play in SEO strategies for website ranking—a fact confirmed by Google numerous times. However, using this as your sole strategy may trigger suspicions. Imagine a small business website with hardly any buzz and thousands of links. If you think this sounds fishy, can you imagine what the Google bots are thinking?

Alternatively, if a website has worked hard to create great content and has earned links through social media and other strategies without any obvious patterns, Google will likely reward this website with higher rankings on its search engine.

Based on these facts, it’s clear that links remain imperative to good SEO strategy, but should not be isolated from other factors.

Based on these facts, it’s clear that links remain imperative to good SEO strategy, but should not be isolated from other factors.

What should you do if it affects your website?