How has Google Panda Changed the Way Search Engine Optimisers Worked?
Google Panda is the new weapon in the arsenal of the leading search engine that aims to fight against duplicity and poor quality websites. It refers to the changes implemented by Google to its ranking algorithm. Since its introduction, many websites that practiced intense search engine optimisation strategies to rank highly on the search engine, have to rework on their strategies.
Some of the key factors that were relevant at one point of time have lost their significance now that Google Panda has come into action. While Panda was initially launched as a fight against low-quality content farms, search engine optimisers and companies that offer SEO services also had to adapt to its changes.
Some of the search engine optimisation strategies that had to be abandoned by the optimisers are discussed below:
- Keyword stuffing- No longer can you trick the search engine in order to reach the top ranking on SERPs by stuffing your web pages with targeted keywords, irrespective of whether it makes sense or not. Earlier, search engine optimisers paid greater attention to keyword selection and placement. However, Google Panda gives more preference to websites and pages that provide a natural flow of information. Anything that appears to be out of order or intentionally included in the content gets negative points from Google’s ranking algorithm and a website that may have got top ranking for having most targeted keywords can now fall behind in the ranking race.
- Duplicate/poor quality content- It is not just for the sake of saying that content is the kind. It really is! And with Google Panda importance of unique and high-quality content is increased further. Quality of the content is the top-most factor considered by the Panda while deciding the ranking of websites. In fact, since its launch, several content farms that produced duplicate content for the sake of top ranking suffered the most. The content has to be unique, relevant to the core message of the website and meant for the benefit of the online visitors.
- Ignoring user experience- A website must be created for the end user. When conducting search engine optimisation strategies, many search engine optimisers forget that they are supposed to enhance the user experience through the website and not just enhance the ranking of the website. There is no point in having high number of people visiting your website without converting into a customer. Thus, the websites that ignored user experience are ignored by Google Panda.
- Having more ads than relevant content on the web pages- Many search engine optimisers and website owners turn their site pages into revenue generators and advertising platforms. Such web pages have more advertisements than the relevant content for which the website is targeted. Companies that offer SEO services are now more focusing on providing significant content and information to the users instead of generating extra revenue through advertisements.
