What is Google Penguin?
It is an algorithm designed by Google, to penalize Search Engine Optimizers for link spamming.
Google has once again managed to set the ‘cat among the pigeons’ or we should rather say, ‘the Penguin among the pigeons.’
What is Google Penguin?It is an algorithm designed by Google, to penalize Search Engine Optimizers for link spamming.
When was it launched?It was launched in the year 2012 with the objective of preventing web spam and to deter websites from relying on ‘Black Hat’ SEO techniques, for their Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).
Specialists are pointing out to different optionswith some saying it is a content quality update, while others going with an updated backlink feature. Some have even argued about it affecting Advertisement heavy websites and aimed at tightening the screws on Private Blogging Networks (PBNs).
Why are we discussing about this now?Google has launched an update as Penguin 4.0 with certain modifications, which according to some, would benefit the white-hat SEO people.
So, what has changed?There are 2 significant changes which Penguin 4.0 has bought along:
Earlier, Penguin ran intermittently. So, whenever the algorithm used to get refreshed, there were chances that a penalty on a webpage could either be lifted or enforced. Therefore, even if the optimizer removed any spam/offending links the day after the penalty; it would only reflect whenever the algorithm would refresh next. This would take days or even weeks.
Now, with the 4.0 update, Penguin has gone real-time. With any malicious, spammy or improper backlinks, the algorithm will immediately come to action during indexing. The penalty will henceforth be incurred on spot and could be removed the following day rather than taking forever.
Also, as opposed to the entire website being pulled down earlier, Penguin has gone micro. Only the particular page detected for web spam willbe penalized. Hence, all pages other than the penalized one would show up in the SERPs along with rankings.
How does this affect websites?According to most critics, the Penguin 4.0 update is a boon for the ‘white-hat’ SEO specialists as it rewards their original and quality content. It is however, punishing on the ‘black-hat’ SEO users. With penalties beinglifted real-time, websites with quality, original and useful content have immense potential to see their rankings rise through the roof.
The biggest takeaway of this 4.0 update is that, if your website does not spam, focuses on quality content, steers clear of unnecessary backlinks or other ‘black-hat’ SEO activities, then it would be safe to say than it (Penguin 4.0 update) would increase a lot of traffic to the domain and boost page ranks significantly.
