Google Algorithm Update Response

By Anthony Centeno and Scott Litvack

Google Updates Search Engine Algorithm

In response to increasing pressure from the Google users, the Search Industry, and recent high profile media attention, Google has implemented an algorithm update that addresses concerns about the quality of the results they serve on Google.com.  There are growing concerns within the Search community that low-quality, duplicated, and in some cases, scraped or auto-generated content is making its way to the top of Search Engine Results Pages. Certain companies have received criticism from many in the Search Industry for producing perceived lower-quality content that is designed to rank well, based not on quality, but targeting very specific keywords.

What is the real impact of this change?

Google has stated that this algorithm change “impacts 11.8% of our queries” and is meant to “reduce rankings for low-quality sites” which they define as “low-value add for users, copy content from other websites or sites that are just not very useful.” The update is also meant to “provide better rankings for high-quality sites” which they define as “sites with original content and information.” The update was first rolled out in the U.S. and will be expanded elsewhere over time.

How does this affect you?

This change places added value on original content creation. Prime Visibility clients should consider their current content strategies and the investment in both time and resources necessary to deliver high-quality original content.

Below is a link to the actual Google announcement:

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/finding-more-high-quality-sites-in.html