Google Changes Its Search Algorithm. Should You Bother?
Every now and then Google decides to shake up the internet and the earth trembles. Google search algorithm has the power to change your fortunes. When Google changed its search algorithm a week back, article directory, ezine.com lost 35% of its search traffic. That’s a huge change and no doubt they are seen wailing around the internet.
Are you collecting garbage?
The question is pertinent because the latest Google search algorithm seems to weed out sites which indiscriminately publish articles without bothering about their quality. Article directories seem to have been most affected by this change. According to Google, the new system is supposed to provide better search results. If you are one of those collecting garbage content, there is a need to worry.
The backlinks saga
One of the SEO strategies is to post articles in directories such as ezine. This may no longer be effective for some keywords which Google seems to have identified. Does it mean that article directories have become irrelevant? It depends on many factors, but yes, there seems to be an unpredictability introduced by the new algorithm. On the whole, it you have an eclectic mix of backlinks you may yet escape the gallows.
Does chopping and changing make sense?
In the short run it may leave many web masters red faced. There is an outrage among online marketers who are finding the situation most unpredictable and therefore bad for business. But look at the positives. There used to be a time (before Google) when all what you got was a bunch of keywords when you searched for anything. Keyword stuffing was an accepted practice. In came Google and changed the entire search scenario. We must be thankful to them that there is some real content on the net. As an extension of this logic, the new algorithm will do some good – and some bad.
Will Google do a google again?
You can bet they will. In another six months you will see one more upheaval. Google doesn’t like to rest on its laurels. According to them, it is a continuous process of refinement. Some site would lose and some would gain from these changes but all would be affected in some way or other.
Can you do something to insulate yourself?
Of course you can. The first step is to ensure that you provide good content on your website. After all content is king. This is one aspect of search which will remain static and stable. I may even go to the extent of saying that content will gain more prominence and importance in future search algorithms. Backlinks are also considered important. But what you must ensure is that you get backlinks from good sources, not article directories and link farms – Link farms are anyway out of reckoning.
Conclusion
Future proofing yourself against Google shockwaves is important. You can do this by providing great content and by linking to authoritative sources. If you don’t do this now, you will remain on tenterhooks forever. The big daddy of search is not a benevolent creature.
Nitin Aggarwal is the owner of the company Offshore Ally. His team is comprised of smart and intelligent virtual assistant and SEO link builders. He is a blogger and a gaming enthusiast. He also loves to read about new SEO strategies, social media, blogging, SEM etc. Connect with him via Twitter.
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12 Responses to “Google Changes Its Search Algorithm. Should You Bother?”
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Google Changes Its Search Algorithm. Should You Bother? http://is.gd/YJoPVR
I will say article marketing is still a master piece to go after, you must just add good quality work now..
“Black Seo Guy “Signing Off”
“In another six months you will see one more upheaval. Google doesn’t like to rest on its laurels” . You’ve spoken something real here, we all know the big G will continuously make amendment in their algo. The panda update really hurts lots of sites but G only wants to clean their search results which sometimes shows scrappy answers. If you’ll do what G said ethically then I don’t think you’ve to be bother of something unruly to yourself. Do clean SEO & get perfect rankings.
@hyderali,
The issue is that G’s definition of ethics is too broad to understand..
Hi NItin,
I am glad I never used article directories as backlink sources. I know many people still do. Somebody needs to let them know of the new Google reality. I hope they read your article.
I believe the best way to stay constant even after the Google update is to play a fair game (not 100% sure) but mostly Google do not hit the quality content.
I have been in the industry for few years and have witnessed Tsunamis in the companies after the Google Algo change and I came to this result that create your content for users and don’t game the SE and nothing will gonna happen to you (in most of the cases)
Yes you should bother. After this update everyone needs to take a long hard look at their content and backlinks. Crappy content? Drop it from your site. Shady backlinks? Have them removed or let the link relationship expire.
I’m glad to see article marketing go down the drain – or start to do so. It felt shady but seemed necessary with all of the competition running to use it as a main source of link development. Developing great relationships and doing link building through legitimate content is tough and I can see why many would fall into the trap of the easy way out (whether it be a dark gray area or not).
Another note: though, like Nitin mentioned, these kind of changes can make us SEO’s frustrated, they are pretty good for business. What I mean is that there is some serious job security in knowing that search algorithms are forever going to change and that we need to be there to understand the changes and help our client’s compensate for them properly.
Refinement in results is a good thing. It will never be perfect, but better results mean more qualified visitors to our sites.
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Ya its really a nice way to shut the unwanted page.
we need to have a hard look at it, its ruin our couple of years effort, I think all of us need to be more content oriented in our approach.
I think we have just had another one on the 14th of October.Just hang in there