Google's Recent Panda Update - What It Means For Your Success

Hi Everyone!

I recently was prompted to do some digging as the proverbial Google waters are being tested once again with one of Google's Panda updates.

As you may or may not know, I have been looking for a permanent home for my site.   By that, I'm referring to a self-hosted site. Not because I am not appreciative of this platform, but rather because I need to create a home for reaching my visitors. 

In doing so, I have been seeking the best practices for setting up and creating my website, so that it is intuitive, and will keep readers on my site. 

And as Tiffany Dow always stresses on her blog, we need to inject our personality into our blog, as well as put our readers needs before our own.  So, it goes without saying, that we should...

Concentrate your efforts on doing for others, rather than doing for yourself!

As much as I would love to throw daggers at Google for all the  algorithms changes, I can't.  When I learned what the recent update was geared toward, well, I can't help but think it will be for the betterment of all.  

Well, ALL who are trying to "do for their readers" and not just "do for themselves"!  What do I mean by that? 

I do have to add, that it will not be an easy goal to live up to; however, it is in the best interest of those who trek to Google in masses each day to find what they need to improve their lives.

Whether you are an avid blogger, affiliate marketer or just someone who is working toward getting more visitor involvement, this algorithm change is going to further affect how you do business.

Not only that, but it is my understanding that Google will be making these constant Panda updates on the sly.  We won't know when they will happen, but rest assured that they will be happening behind the scenes.

5 Criteria to Recent Google Panda Update - Are YOU Prepared?

Below you will find a quick summary of what I’ve discovered in my research for making my site better based upon what Google's latest   Panda update expects to see when it visits your site.

Remember: These algorithm changes not only apply to your site, but any site that you utilize in establishing your presence!

Here is what Google will be looking for:

1. Site  Usability  - Customer friendliness FIRST and then address your business goals SECOND is the next criteria that Google expects to see on your website!


2. Site navigation should be simple, and easy for your visitors to navigate throughout your site and should be as intuitive as possible.

3. Content posted to your site must be original, and relevant to your site and be kept CURRENT if you wish to win favor with Google.

Whatever the topic of your discussion, it should be well-constructed and articulated well, as well as consistent throughout your site.

4. Ad placement - In my research, I have noticed that some webmasters place ads within the text of their articles or at the top/bottom of their articles, so if you are making this mistake, (as I have recently upon the advice of a product I implemented on my site), perhaps these tips will help to get your posts in Google's good graces.

Now when Google checks your sites to see where you should rank, it will be looking to see if your ads are placed “around” your content, not placed “in or on top” of your content. 

In addition to this, Google will be checking to see that the ads you place on your site are not excessively used as well.

5. Overall Consistency - Depending on how well you write on any given day, this criteria may prove more difficult than you know in my opinion. 

Google now fully expects for you to be able to whip out exceptional posts consistently. So, it goes without saying, it’s not enough to produce a few awesome posts that you might feel are winning pieces on your site.

Now, ALL your work must meet this criteria, or Google/Panda will dock your sites ranking, whether it be on your site or on any web 2.0 property that you may use as an extra revenue stream, such as Squidoo.

Fortunately, I see this move by Google, as one that SHOULD separate the "best there is to offer" from the chaff and should  peel away the layers of thin or poorly created sites that have ranked so highly in the past that are pure garbage.

Ultimately, it should allow the better sites that have grown backlinks naturally, have no backlinks at all, or are new to the internet marketing playground to surface to the top by producing top quality sites.

I genuinely hope that this helps you to achieve what you need, not only to gain Google's favor, but to more importantly, to help you become a better webmaster who seeks to meet the needs of your audience.

Remember, it doesn't matter whether you are developing Squidoo lenses or are creating your own websites and content, create content that your audience wants or needs to the best of your ability EVERY time. 

Until next time...