Google Panda is causing ripples across the Internet. The machine-learning algorithm used by this update turns a lot of practiced SEO methods into detractors from your site and a lot of high ranked search results are getting lost in the “o’s” of Google. Although Panda has hit many websites heavily, the important thing to remember is anytime there is a monumental change like this there is huge growth potential. After all, if popular sites are getting penalized, that leaves room for everyone else.
So, what can you do to use Panda as a benefit to your site and traffic?
1. Create Original Content
This is important. Not just in keeping your posts fresh and unique, but your overall website theme. If your website is mostly template with a side of content, Panda will eat it. Panda is designed to weed out sites that are mostly copied material both in content and the overall display, so if the template footprint of your site outweighs the original material, you’re in trouble. Eliminate ads and redundant articles to help improve your rating with Panda.
2. Focus On The Pages
Filler pages and ad heavy pages negatively impact the entire site. One bad page previously would only influence that page’s Google rating, but now with the Panda algorithm it impacts the entire site. This is important to realize, because often sites will be riddled with confusing pages that serve no purpose other than to capture users for another 10 seconds while they navigate through the site with a few more hopeful AdSense ads throughout these pages. These commercials that we click through to get the content can lower your rating with Panda, and ultimately lower your overall success and traffic from Google.
3. Remember What Panda Does
Panda is designed to replicate a human interaction. It’s based on user inputs. Thousands of them. It then takes these inputs to decide what humans like and dislike, then organizes websites in this manner. When you design your sites or work on your pages, take this into consideration. Good content and SEO strategies were all that was needed for a while, but Panda changes this. Adding to those things (or maybe just becoming a part of those things) is the overall interface of your website. Previously, this was more of a best practice that many people became concerned with after they had their content and traffic in place.
Panda is the future of web searches. Social Media is becoming more popular, and I think as Panda updates roll out, Social Media’s role in generating traffic will continue to grow, but search engine traffic is going to continue to be a pivotal part of any online business strategy. Keep in mind that Panda is designed to view your site as a human, so when you are working look at your site as a human. Does your content flow? Does it look and feel unique? Is it overburdened with ads? Are many of your links redundant? One solid makeover of your website can drastically improve your Google rating, but also the functionality of your site and your reader’s experience.
Jon.
