Have you been penalised by Panda 4.1?

Oct 2nd, 2014

Google has started rolling out its latest update to the Panda algorithm, labelled ‘Panda 4.1’


The search engine has generated a number of additional signals that Panda will use to help identify websites with low quality content and depending on the location, will affect 3-5% of search queries.

This latest update comes four months since the release of 4.0 and is Google’s 27th Panda update. In this particular roll-out, Google has announced that by utilising the additional algorithmic signals, Panda will be significantly more effective in identifying low-quality websites.

The changes to the algorithm will bring greater visibility for high-quality small and medium sized enterprise websites and will work to further differentiate content rich websites from those who only provide thin content to their users.

With this update being rolled out, it will not only be a time of worry for some webmasters but will also provide opportunity for others. Webmasters that perhaps had reacted to being affected by a previous Panda update, or those who have lived by the ‘content is king’ strategic approach, will be actively monitoring their search visibility over the coming weeks as the update continues to be rolled out.


So how should you respond if you have been affected?

If you have noticed a change in your website’s organic search visibility and have been negatively affected by Panda 4.1, then this is the time to take a closer look at the content on your website and your organic search activity as a whole.

Google’s continual mission to increase the quality of its search engine results pages means one thing: if you are not following Google’s best practice guidelines by providing fresh, relevant and quality content to your users, then you are running the risk of being caught out.

So what is meant by quality content? It should be as creative and engaging as it is rich with quality information that people will want to read. Develop a content calendar; this will help you to keep your content up to date and relevant to your industry. If you continually provide rich content to your users, they’re likely to actively promote it and in turn, your organisation will begin to develop a thought-leader status in your industry.

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