On April 24 Google launched their latest update codenamed Penguin. It was an alteration in the Google algorithm that was designed to punish pages/sites that have been spamming Google down. As most of you all know by now it did not play nicely with our industry.
A lot of people are questioning if the update is fully live. While it can take up to a week for an update to become live across Google’s various data centers, Penguin launched relatively quickly. If you have noticed a drop in your results lately I have a couple of tips I would like to share with you.
First, you are going to want to remove any spam you might have. When I say spam I mean duplicate content and crap backlinks. This is the biggest step you can take in recovering from Penguin, since the update was directly addressing spam. Check your Google Webmaster center, you might have messages waiting for our about your spam activity. If you see a message do not respond to it. Instead delete the message and act as if nothing has happened. If you respond to the emails that Google has sent out you will self incriminate yourself.
Second, you need to keep at it. Do not let a bump in the road get you down. Google updates, we adjust and still make money. It’s all just part of the game. Don’t go rushing out and get a job working the hotdog stand down the street. Trust me you will regret it later. Keep your hopes up and work hard.
Lastly, you need to increase your knowledge base. Learn more about SEO learn about the update and make sure you READ everything you come across. Take everything with a grain of salt and test your own strategies. This method has never failed me in the past.
Also, there is a tone of resources available. Join the League of Online Marketers; I put this group together to pull common knowledge about the world of SEO and Online Marketing .
Currently registration is free so head on over and fill your brain with what works in the world of SEO and online marketing.
http://www.LeagueOfOnlineMarketers.com/
Just keep at it folks and remember to play nicely with Google.
With these updates coming fast on the heels of each other, would it be better to let the dust settle first before trying to do too much.
I think the suggestion to address spammy backlinks is ALWAYS good advice, but sites of all types and authority are being hit at the moment. I think we should let a bit of time go by to see how things settle. I know thats easy for me to say as I’m not full time on this, but there is a temptation to chase google goals which seem to change a lot anyway.
EK
I completely agree. Don’t completely change everything you are doing because that would be a red flag. Make subtle adjustments, don’t panic and give it some time.
Well said Cary! You touched down on some important tips.
It alway’s works to take things you read with a grain of salt and test.
It’s how I learned most if what I do know.
Many bloggers were hit by this Google update. Maybe google just wanted to tell blogs/sites , to improve their user’s experience such as having quality/fresh content, create natural backlinks instead of spamming, and improve site’s loading speed…