Turn Panda into an Advantage

In early 2011, Google made modifications to its search algorithm in an update known as Panda. While the effects of Panda weren’t generally noticeable to the public, the update has had a significant impact behind the scenes. Since the release of Panda, companies have been scrambling to adapt, with many websites taking a significant hit in traffic and Google rankings. Troy Ireland’s guide to adopting Panda-friendly content is an excellent starting point for companies who watched visitors dwindle over the past year and want to revamp and revitalize their websites in 2012.

December 27, 2011 -- When Google rolled out its Panda update in February of 2011--a significant change to the algorithm used by the company’s search engine--many websites quickly felt the effects. With Panda, Google employed a new machine-learning approach that tracked the results of thousands of human testers who ranked websites using criteria deemed relevant to the typical person searching for a website. New factors that influence results were introduced, while some existing factors such as PageRank became less important. The net result was a reported change in rankings for 12 percent of search results when Panda was deployed. In particular, websites relying on ‘evergreen” content saw a drop in rankings, while websites with frequently updated content such as news, social media sites and Google’s own YouTube, experienced a boost in ratings. Sites that are heavily reliant on advertising also took a hit. A free article published by SEO expert Troy Ireland provides an excellent starting point for companies planning to revamp their websites to be more Panda-friendly in 2012.

Panda gained a reputation as “the tweak heard around the world.” Besides penalizing many well known and respected knowledge based sites that archive evergreen content such articles such as guides, reviews and how-to articles, it had an impact on websites employing poorly planned search engine optimization (SEO). In particular, Panda was harsh on websites that relied on shallow content (quick tips and fluff), copied content and low quality content generated by so-called content factories. Websites that used these methods saw a precipitous drop in traffic (as much as a 90 percent drop in SEO visibility), and many of them struggled through 2011 in an often futile attempt to recover their all-important search engine rankings.

An SEO veteran, Troy Ireland has experienced many instances when Google and other search engines have modified their algorithms. After a thorough analysis of Panda, he published a helpful guide detailing 10 strategies to not only adapt to Panda, but to thrive under the new methodology. While his analysis rests on the general finding that Panda rewards quality content, there are many different ways to achieve this goal. By following Troy’s recommendations, companies will find that their websites not only regain lost traffic and search engine rankings, but they also become “stickier,” engaging visitors to remain for longer periods of time. Adopting a quality content strategy for 2012 will turn Google’s Panda update from an obstacle into an advantage, convert more visitors into customers and provide a foundation to protect against future “tweaks” by Google, Yahoo or Bing.

To read Troy’s Panda Strategy Guide, visit www.theseoagency.com/2011/12/growing-your-website-with-panda-friendly-content/.

About the Author: Troy Ireland has spent years studying the algorithms employed by Google, Bing, Yahoo and other search engines. He frequently publishes industry insights on www.theseoagency.com. To learn more about Panda, web analytics, social media or other SEO issues, you can contact Troy by e-mail at by phone at 1.877.405.6613 or by postal mail at 1001 W. Southern Ave., Suite 118, Mesa, Arizona 85210.

Contact Information:
TheSEOAgency.com
Troy Ireland
1001 W. Southern Ave., Suite 118
Mesa, Arizona 85210
Telephone #: 1.877.405.6613
Email Address: Tony.Berastegui@theseoagency.com